Basket case 1968 Triumph Spitfire that is. It appears to have had the frame sandblasted and the suspension rebuilt. The body is a bit on the rough side and needs the floors replaced. Someone started to install a Toyota 4age and a T50 transmission but didn't get any further than tacking together some engine mounts. There are boxes of new parts stored in the car but it's hard to get an accurate idea of what's there and what's missing. It also has a hardtop.
The owner isn't sure what it's worth. I'm thinking not more than $500. What does the GRM hive mind think?
$500 sounds fair in the circumstances, which basically are "This is not currently an actual vehicle, but rather a former vehicle with no engine, no transmission, and no floor." Likewise, a sandblasted frame is good, but a sandblasted frame from X months or years ago that wasn't promptly coated with something to protect it is, well, less good. The new parts are nice in theory, but if nobody has an accurate inventory they can't affect the price much. The hardtop might be a wild card, if (a) it's the "correct" one [whatever that might mean], (b) in decent shape and (c) they happen to be rare and/or valuable.
I'd say offer $500 in cash and guarantee that you'll take everything away.
As always, my free advice is worth every penny.
If all the glass is there, particularly the hardtop glass (they are made of unobtanium), he's throwing in the motor/trans, the snoot (flip up front end) is there and in reasonable shape, yeah I'd be OK with $500. That is, of course, without seeing it. If the rocker panels have returned to the Earth's crust or there's other similar massive rot, then reevaluate.
I wouldn't offer more then $300.
Just to clarify. The frame was sandblasted and painted. The suspension has been refurbished and reinstalled making it a rolling chassis. Of course I'd want to go over everything just to make sure it was put together properly. All of the glass is there and appears to be in decent shape. I think I'd look at finding an original engine and transmission. This would end up being my second Spitfire and 4th LBC in my current fleet. Maybe I should look at building this one up as a vintage racecar.
