Radical Conversion Opinions

curbo · Post by **curbo** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:53 pm

I am considering this radical conversion that Marc did on his 356, but i am concerned about the re sale value.
Your opinions would be very much appreciated as to re sale value with or without this conversion on my 1959 356A

myatt1972 · Post by **myatt1972** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:57 pm

Sod the resale value, do what you want to do.
That car looks stunning, I know what I'd do

Little Rascal 356 · Post by **Little Rascal 356** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:16 pm

Go for it ! Engine / body or both?

Dakota · Post by **Dakota** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 12:25 am

Hi
if your talking about the louvered infill panels I think they make it look too heavy and humpty backed, and as for removing the gutters there is no going back from that one, it might be an individual look (although there is that one already) but it will kill resale, why bugger about with a quality product, you did well to find a pretty good car, personalize it but don't do your own legs, only my opinion.

curbo · Post by **curbo** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:31 am

Yes loosing the rear quarter windows and rain gutters is what i am talking about.
Anybody have an opinion on re sale values?

Little b@st@rd · Post by **Little b@st@rd** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:13 am

Have you considered a Martin & Walker 356A coupe replica? You could really go to to work on one of those without concern. Outlaw is cool, non reversible mods no so much IMO.

smallspeed · Post by **smallspeed** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 1:31 pm

i know this is probably not applicable to a 356 but.. i had a de-seamed morris minor when i was a kid and it was awful; everytime it rained it filled up with water!
didn't happen before i removed the rain gutters

ps.. comedy aside; i went to school with a kid who de-seamed a mini with magic metal because he didn't know how to weld! did a beautiful job of it, sanded it all down, repainted it, etc., etc.. drove it down the road, hit a pot-hole and the whole body literally came apart like something out of a cartoon!

vwretrosteve · Post by **vwretrosteve** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:29 pm

if you are doing it for resale - do it stock ,

unless you radically **** the car up it will always have a value - it might not be worth what it owes you in the end, but that sort of nullifies the point of building one yourself.

Quality always sells - if it looks good someone will generally agree when it comes to move the thing on.

overall, build it how you want it to look - if you compromise the chances are 'what if' will be a recurring thought each time you look at the thing.

Little Rascal 356 · Post by **Little Rascal 356** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:36 pm

Easy for me to say but make it how you want and keep it forever ! Resale Schmesale.....

curbo · Post by **curbo** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:59 pm

Excellent thanks
Question: What's a nice restored LHD 1959 356A matching number car GROUND UP RESTO worth these days?
Proper job by one of the best painters in the country, you have all seen the pictures.
If i do the conversion who would like to put their neck on the line and post a price?

I am not looking to sell, but if i do the conversion and it makes big £££ thats just stupid

thanks everyone!!

Little Rascal 356 · Post by **Little Rascal 356** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:02 pm

scratches head and sniffs.......not in that colour Guv, just no call for it. Difficult one - depends who restores it, the car's history, rhd / lhd, etc etc blah blah.

nickT · Post by **nickT** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:24 pm

I think a really well done outlaw and a stock resto. would have similar values, probably within 10% of each other.
The big difference would be the size of your market and length of time to sell.
An outlaw having a smaller market and longer selling time.

Personally I wouldn't do anything irreversible.

Either way i'm sure you'll end up with a cool car

Nick.

TheBaron · Post by **TheBaron** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:18 pm

I was in the same situation and decided to make my car my own and sod tradition, however everything I did is reversible so if someone wants stock they can still have that with very little expense to convert back

My car owes me in excess of £120k but a sound investment with all resto done by top blokes, body etc Roger Bray, engine and gear box Andy Prill.

I hope that helps.

Little Rascal 356 · Post by **Little Rascal 356** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:27 pm

What tyres are you running Steven?

TheBaron · Post by **TheBaron** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:53 pm

Little Rascal 356 wrote:What tyres are you running Steven?

Originally low profile 195 x 45(in Pic), but just didnt look right, didnt fill the arches and knocked out my speedo by about +10% which made the engine sceam on motorways, great acceleration though.

Now running 185 x 70 Avons