Hi Bernhard,
It really all depends on your emotional attachment to the car and your long
range plans. If you are planning to keep your Spitfire for the next 10
years or more, then you will certainly get your monies worth from a full
restoral. There's no way that you could recapture the fun and value in a
newer sports car. However, if your future plans are uncertain, it would
make little sense to spend the time and money, especially since you're not
likely to recoup the money you've invested due to the relatively low value
of Spitfires.
As I've committed to restoring my '67 Mk3, I've long pondered just how far
I'm willing to take the restoral. Do I want a show car? Or just one that I
can feel good about kicking around town or in the local mountains now and
then? Does the shelf in the engine really need to be clean enough to eat
off of? I still don't have the answer. All I know is that I've comitted to
keeping this car, perhaps for the rest of my life -- and I'm deriving great
pleasure from renewing worn parts. I have already decided that I will
gladly sink another $5k to $8k into this car if that's what it takes for it
to look and handle like new again.
If I even invest $10-$15k into my Spitfire eventually, I really don't CARE
if I can only sell it for $5k-$8k someday, because I really don't plan on
selling it at all. Let's face it -- as far as financial investments are
concerned, these cars are decidedly NOT the way to go. But as emotional
investments, they return great dividends IF you have a genuine passion for
these cars.
As to the level of restoral? Let your heart, head and wallet be your guide.
If it makes sense, you want to do it and you can afford to -- then go for
it. But as another lister pointed out, an understanding spouse is a real
help. Good luck.
Best wishes,
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: Bernhard Rauner <Bernhard.Rauner@noegkk.sozvers.at>
To: spitfires <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2000 1:53 AM
Subject: repair or restore?
>
> I am owner of a 1971 spitfire MK IV with approximately 90.000 Mlles.
Approximately because of the speedometer wasn't working the last 10.000
Mlles or so.
>
> Did you ever ask yourself - Is it worth it? Should I repair a broken
doorhandle or a scratch in the bonnet? Or should I start a complete
restoration including all the work of dismantling, cleaning, an so on?
> You must know - my car is in original trim - first painting, first engine
(runs very smooth!, first gearbox, original clutch!) But almost 23 years of
living on British and then 7 years on Austrian roads (better than you would
expect!) leaves a few bumps and bruises.
>
> So I ask every listener - is it worth it, to start a complete restoration
on a healthy car? What is the advantage of a restorated car? All I did up
to now since I bought this car in late 1993 was to change the exhaust system
to a twin system with two endpipes, change the airfilters to a k&n system
for maximum air intake, renew all bushes and seals and bought a set of
center-locked wheels. Austrian winters are pretty long (October to April) so
I had a lot of time to work.
>
> Please tell me the experience you made while restoration, how long it took
to restore a MK IV spitfire or similar and - last but not least - was it
worth it!
>
> Bernhard Rauner
> 71 MK IV spit
>
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