Looking for a Pagoda to buy for eventual electric conversion

[Dreamer]

Hello everyone!

I have been wanting to buy a Pagoda for about 15 years and finally saved some money to spend!

Ok i'm not looking for a fully restored, trailer or show car, but instead something that can be turned into a daily driver with modest hard work.

Ideally I would like a RHD with auto, ac, soft top, hard top, euro lights, and matching numbers.

It's totally fine for this to be a very long-term project and buy parts to restore as I go along. I'm just looking for the cheapest sound subframe and chassis that is solid to build upon.

Eventually I want to go for a diy electric conversion but seeing as I've waited 15 years I think that might not happen anytime soon.

At the lowest end, over the years I've seen 8k for the cheapest rust bucket with missing bits, and around 22k-ish LHD drives where the engine supposedly turns over.

I want to be somewhere in-between. Do you think I might have chance in the current recession or am I still dreaming? If not what is lowest decent car anyone has seen recently or think I might have a chance of getting within the next 12 months?

My long term goal is not to loose money, but this is more for the love of the car than hoping to create value.

Thanks in advance guys! and lets try to keep positive and not kill my dream completely

[lreppond]

Anything is possible but realistically I think you may have to ante up your budget.  It’s been my experience that these cars command steep prices in GB. 
Things to consider:
1. If your eventual goal is electrification, why are matching numbers important? 
2. Keep a close eye on locally sourced cars rather than those advertised on a wider basis.
3. Start organizing a database of what cars have sold for that are in the condition that you’d like to purchase.  You’ll have a clearer picture of what price is realistic.
4. Parts and outsourced work are VERY expensive.  When looking at a potential purchase know ahead of time a rough idea of what it’ll take to get it drivable. 
5. Join this group.  It’s cheap and you’ll learn so much. The membership is made up of some knowledgeable people willing to share their expertise and experiences.

Good luck.

[MikeSimon]

On BaT, a totally messed up 1965 230SL, with a crack in the underbody/frame and a 2.8L engine with a 250 head sold for $46,000.- I would not have spend 20K for that thing. Shows you where the prices go.

[MikeSimon]

The subject of converting a Pagoda to EV is being discussed in other threads, with an extensive list of pros and cons.
Converting any ICE car to EV is not done by just swapping the engine with an electric motor. Besides the obvious large components, the transmission and the battery, the following other issues need to be addressed:
- how do you facilitate the heater system with no hot water from the engine cooling circuit
- how do you power your brake booster with no vacuum from the engine inlet
- how do you power your hydraulic power steering with the loss of the pump drive and mounting

The chassis of the car is designed for the power train it comes with from the factory. EV powertrains, including battery, are significantly heavier. Most EVs have special EV compatible tires for the higher loads. Total weight and its distribution is an important factor for handling.

[mdsalemi]

Ok i'm not looking for a fully restored, trailer or show car, but instead something that can be turned into a daily driver with modest hard work.

Ideally I would like a RHD with auto, ac, soft top, hard top, euro lights, and matching numbers.

I don’t think 22K in £, € or $ would buy you any kind of reasonably complete driver quality Pagoda car in today’s market. I think twice that would be a good starting point.

Numbers matching isn’t of the same concern here as it is for certain other origins, particularly some American “muscle cars” where the unscrupulous or wannabes convert pedestrian versions into the ersatz.

Keep looking at all the available sources for you in UK. If you want a driver you’ll probably want RHD, and that limits your looking to mostly UK, don’t think you want to look in Japan or Australia etc.

Good luck.

PS: if you want to turn a roadster into an EV, don’t use a Pagoda! Try it on an MG, Triumph or something cheap and common.

[Pinder]

I dont know what the reserve was on this one but I thought it was a good car for someone.  But it di not meet reserve.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-mercedes-benz-280sl-96/

[Garry]

There is one in UK on www.carandclassic.com up for auction currently at £22,000.

[john.mancini]

Dreamer, I'm curious, why? These cars are tough enough and costly to restore conventionally, I can't imagine doing an electric conversion without spending gobs of time and money.

[teahead]

A Pagoda as a daily driver in the UK?

If it's not a rust bucket now that you buy, it will be soon.

I can think of other DDs that are EV:

https://www.abarth.com/new-abarth-500e-scorpionissima

[Mercer09]

save another 10k to buy- forget the electric conversion.........

do that on a beetle.

[Dreamer]

Thank guys, appreciate all the replies!

Apologise for the slow reply .. had a lot going on .. Xmas has me back in dream mode.
Ok so ill be forgetting the conversion idea unless i find a needle in the haystack (RHD chassis and body only car), and instead aim to save up some more as you all suggest
If i see anything interesting ill post it and see what you all think. Hopefully 2023 will bring some better news!
Merry Xmas all!!

[rwmastel]

(RHD chassis and body only car)

This is a unibody vehicle, there is no chassis and body.

[AdelaidePagoda]

Another article on what is required for a successful EV conversion of classic cars:

https://apple.news/AhY5-I4u1SkO5HQ4Ewp5Eaw

[mdsalemi]

This is a unibody vehicle, there is no chassis and body.

What he was looking for is a “body only” car, meaning “without engine” so he can do the electric conversion…in a RHD model. At a “reasonable” price…

[Colingo]

Here is an exciting Pagoda conversion

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkjLY8hpzPt/

Perhaps a little excessive on power, but it must be fun.