Author Topic: Reanimation or organ donor ? (Read 12841 times)

fblanchard · « **on:** December 11, 2012, 07:37:57 »

Hi all
I'm trying to avoid destruction of the dying lady joined on the photos.
There are problems identifying the real owner I'm waiting for news.
The mecanical estate is unknown it's a mecanical gear box left hand driving.
The "carosserie" is rusted deepely whith complete holes on several locations including botom of hard top base of the windshield both sides and of course around the trunk...
Inside is a bit less worse the pedals have normal course the steering wheel is not blocked the gear lever is weak but I know how to fix it and it's not the biggest problem.
If I manage to get the car for small amount what do you think after ?
Reanimation or organ donation oups reselling...?

Fred from Nouméa

fblanchard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2012, 07:51:31 »

Few more photos
Regards

JamesL · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2012, 08:09:13 »

Eeek

That's a bad one. If you are very handy with a welder and sheet metal, or you have an awful lot of history with the car, go for it. Otherwise, it looks a gonner to me - the rust on the scuttle is horrendous, making me think that the areas you can't see will be hideous too

Larry & Norma · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2012, 09:31:22 »

Only for the very brave (and wealthy) $:-\$

Khurram Darugar · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2012, 10:36:12 »

Unless this car has a totally solid unibody

, you are taking on an epic task of time, effort and funds.
Even if you are looking to restore a car ground up im sure there are better candidates for reasonable $'s.
Kay

Garry · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2012, 11:13:00 »

This restoration is for a wealthy man where gaining value is not the object. That is unless you are going to do all the metal work and jigs etc yourself and have a few years spare and are very brave. it will take far more than the car is worth and unless there is some sentimental story to it I suggest you find a better car to start with.

w113dude · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2012, 12:30:38 »

Quote from: Garry on December 11, 2012, 11:13:00

This restoration is for a wealthy man where gaining value is not the object. That is unless you are going to do all the metal work and jigs etc yourself and have a few years spare and are very brave. it will take far more than the car is worth and unless there is some sentimental story to it I suggest you find a better car to start with.

I agree 100%.

georgem · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2012, 20:22:11 »

Sadly, she`s a deadun.

But I do have a question re the seats - they look leather but the patten on the bottom looks different - not the usual deep grooves - is this an example of a not so careful remake or would these seats be original? They look very similar to mine and I have always assumed that they were a dodgy immitation because they didn`t have the deep grooves.

Cheers

George

fblanchard · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2012, 23:27:27 »

Thank you gents for advice it's really useful to me besides there seems to have unanimity from experts.

You have understood it's not (yet) mine I will let you know the following of the story.

To georgem as I don't know much about the car I can't reply to your question now but I will inform you if I get the answer and I agree concernig leather and quite "flat" bottom.

So the medical staff gave his sentence now I hope I will manage to prevent the metal press and will make living pagodas (first mine) happy with spare parts.

Thanks again see you soon.

Fred from Nouméa

Bonnyboy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2012, 04:11:23 »

Wouldn't that be a fun project if time and money were not an issue.

An old neighbour gave a similar condition Austin Heally to a local school shop class and got a sizeable tax receipt (the govt went with book value only) which was to his advantage. The school then redid the car over the next several years and raffled the car off at the end of the day. It was not concours by any means but the kids were sure proud of it. I think the car went with its owner so some obscure Gulf Island (near Vancouver Island BC) where it is still being driven around.

It did flush out some parts from the local Heally guys and as the car was being rebuilt the school used the metal shop to make patterns and sell off some parts for some NLA / obscure items. The kids that worked on it mostly became "car guys" which was the big benefit.

another guy I know gave a similar condition TR6 to a school and paid for "bought materials" only and got the car back 6+ years later all fixed up for a fraction of what it would cost at a shop. It was still more than he could of bought a good condition TR6 for but the car was his Mom's.

fblanchard · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2012, 04:52:00 »

Thank you bonnyboy for some hope message.

I've been told there have been such work here previousely in the only professionnal school of the island for mecanics and garage work.

I didn't think of it but it could be a good idea worth to be tried as I'm not in any hurry and the car is quite complete despite its desesperate estate.

I definitively keep it in mind.

Regards to Canada

Fred

georgem · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2012, 08:03:38 »

Fred,

The question re the upholstery was a general one I threw out there hoping others would pick it up - thanks for answering though.

Now, back to the car; am I reading you correctly that even though the advice from the group seems to be that the car is beyond a repair for a mere mortal; you are going ahead to buy it?

Please, in this case let your head rule, not your heart..............................remember its your head that pays the bills, not your heart, and few of us could even think of a figure big enough to cover the cost of resurrection

George

Russell · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2012, 09:26:35 »

ok so i am VERY VERY new to SL ownership but i am looking at that car and am in disbelief that anyone would take that on to bring it back to life. let it die. nought wrong in being an organ donor, there is some respite in leaving this mortal place helping others. unless you lost your virginity in it, got married in it, your wife gave birth in it and i am talking a full house here so you would want the lot, i cant think of one other good reason to have a go at that car.
take my hat of as some of you are brave. either that or barking mad.

zoegrlh · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2012, 12:30:16 »

You know, it is a shame that we see these cars die. One less example of the W113s. We should foster the thought of trying to put as many of these cars back on the road. I think the idea of goving it to a school shop to work on. There is a college in USA that teach students auto tech. This would be a GREAT project to them. Too bad this car is not located in USA. I would even think of a purchase and donation to college.
Bob

71Beige280SL · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2012, 14:05:57 »

It is a shame to see it go. Having spent more money on my car than I expected (enjoyed spending every penny!), I am proud to be extending the Pagoda breed. Our collective passion for these cars makes us want to save everyone. Sometimes that isn't practical. What would REALLY be a shame is doing nothing. The body panels maybe beyond repair but, there are a lot of parts on the car that this Group would benefit from. We often hear in the news about the generousity of organ donors...saving a life...restoring eye sight, etc. This car could serve to restore many others. It may take some time but, given the conditon of the car, parting it out is a noble path to take.

Just my $0.02 worth.

stickandrudderman · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2012, 21:27:34 »

There can be no economic case for saving it.
The parts are worth a lot of money.
As for saving the breed, the less there are the more valuable they become!

fblanchard · « **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2012, 05:24:16 »

All of you are really excellent.

I read and re-read your argumentations.
You say with good words all the reflections that my french brain can't explain with right words in english (to be honest I'm sure I didn't pick up every fine sense of every answer).

Please stop arguing eventhow your expert advice is very useful. You said everything that had to be said and I'm confused.

The temporary conclusion is that everybody including me wants a happy end.

I hope destruction is avoided but I cannot be sure so far.

Giving parts is noble action for other pagoda owners selling some is good for my bank account.

Rebuilding it by myself is out of project for time and economic reasons.
I was born in a hospital lost my virginity in a classic bed (even though I tried cars too like everybody but it was later...) and our two children were born in a second war american hospital in Nouméa.
So no personal sentiments for the "bordeaux pagode".

I keep on thinking the school way is the best one why not studying boat to USA and back if not possible in New Caledonia ?

Thank you all for this passionate discussion.

I promise I WILL LET YOU KNOW you're worth it

Yours sincerely

Fred from Nouméa

JayRoche · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2013, 20:41:32 »

How much would you guys say the parts are worth if it were to be broken? If you bought it for next to nothing, spent around £50k restoring surely the cars value wouldn't be loose that much? I am no expert so please don't take this at advice just interested in the value of such a car.

Flyair · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2013, 09:11:59 »

Fred,
While I agree with most if not all arguments that call for staying away or using the "bordeaux lady" or rather "rusty-gran'ma" as organ donor, the whole point should be considered in the recent craze movement in Pagoda prices. If you look at thread elsewhere showing at what price pagodas are offered, the investment may appear lucrative, although not cheap.

As far as just body and floor panels as well as hardtop, these are not too difficult to source. I would agree that you look into 40-50thousand investment, but at the end of the (long) route you achieve three goals:
- some profit (hopefully, if sold). This would also require an idea ho narrow is the market in New Caledonia, n'est-ce pas?
- feel good factor, as you save am old person (Pagoda) from annihilation
- you become an intimate expert in restoration, even though you are not mechanic, engineer or alike

On the drawback side:
- uncertainty as to the future prices, so profits cannot be taken for granted
- your frustrations and deceptions during restoration can kill the terminal value of the final feel good factor

As the net result: no matter what, you become a Pagoda restoration expert in Numéa;)

CQFD

georgem · « **Reply #19 on:** February 07, 2013, 20:59:17 »

Fred

Noooooooooooooo...........................don`t listen to him. Think of your family..............your delightful two children, your beautiful wife........lining up for the weekly Salvation Army food parcell because all the money has been spent of THAT CAR!!!.

ITS NOT WORTH IT! - No more holidays to Australia - ...nothing to look forward to other than feeding the big black bottomles money pit...........the Land Rover will become your best car because you will need to sell everything to feed your new addiction.

Mate, snap out of it.

Flyair · « **Reply #20 on:** February 07, 2013, 21:09:53 »

George
speaking from experience?

114015 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2013, 00:54:08 »

:'( :'(
A sad car ....
Plenty of body work necessary. A car with that amount of rust usually demands the full set of sheet metal panels available from the MB dealership - in and out.
Plus all the other technical gremlins... :'(

Quote

But I do have a question re the seats - they look leather but the patten on the bottom looks different - not the usual deep grooves - is this an example of a not so careful remake or would these seats be original? They look very similar to mine and I have always assumed that they were a dodgy immitation because they didn`t have the deep grooves.

The seat covers are clearly a cheap aftermarket reproduction - no correct pleats, no basket weave pattern, no piping at the edges - with one word: worthless.

A sad loss indeed. I personally strongly hate to see these (our) cars passing away... but it really takes a brave and wealthy individual to bring that one back to life... $:-\$

But if you can get it for $$ 500 - 1000 or so ....

go with it!

Achim

fblanchard · « **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2013, 01:38:05 »

The case is still in critical care unit and I regularly try to contact competent persons for the future of the body with no success so far.

I have now the (nice) devil Stan who argues concerning the increasing prices of our treasures and it's an important fact ( I read the recent threads concernig prices in Australia). I think that some prices are much too high but anyway they'll probably never come down. General interest for classic cars seems to be higher every year and we profit from this ascendant curve.

On the other hand we have the (nice) angel Georges who knows a bit of the familly context now and doesn't want to be witness of our financial sink that's kind.

I must say I still don't know what to do. Probably if I can get the car for low money dismantel what I can do myself which is not expensive and see precisely the intimate estate of the rusty grand'ma and decide after.

To be continued...

Best to you all

Flyair · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2013, 08:29:18 »

Fred,

given how the car looks like, it is almost sure that - in order to bring this particular Pagoda to life - you should become like the guy that appears in this video below brought by Kampala in another post to this forum... and you are very likely to go through all of that, and maybe more…

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=17892.0

Flyair · « **Reply #24 on:** February 19, 2013, 20:42:35 »

Fred,

I would be curious to know whether there were some fresh news about this car? Have you found out the owner of that Pagoda?

News:

Author Topic: Reanimation or organ donor ? (Read 12841 times)

Khurram Darugar

w113dude

Russell

JayRoche