Barn find, what's it worth?

[JimFreeh]

I just went on a interesting trip today.

Looked at some cars that were part of an estate. Belong to the brother of a fellow MG club member.

Fellow had 30+ cars, and among the Jaguars, Austin Healeys and MGs, were a pair of W107 SLs.

Car #1 was an early 107 (72-73), small bumper, stored in a dirt floored barn. Lots of verdigrie (green scum) on the chrome, rust apparent on the lower bodywork, probably not run for the last 4-5 years. Red with black interior.

Car #2 was a rough 380SL (81-82), very rusty, no floors, crap interior, marginal car. Then I raised the hood, and found a Chevy 350 engine in the car..... Turd brown with a light interior.

What should I offer for these cars?

Jim

[Mike D]

Unless you are extremely bored or just have money to burn (I could always send you my address for any "extra" cash you want to dispose of) I wouldn't offer more than a grand for the pair.

Yeah, yeah, I know, there are lots of people dying for an SL but you don't want to be one to die IN the 380 morphodyte. 350 Chevy engine, rusted floorboards in a UNIBODY car? Sounds like a pictoral for "Smash lab".

You MIGHT be okay with the earlier model if the engine is in any kind of shape. Figure on dropping at least 2 grand and beaucoup hours of labor on it.
As a project/hobby car it would probably be okay but I don't think you want to get into a full-out restore on it.

Ain't nothing more expensive than a "cheap" Benz. You know that! Now keep in mind, this advice comes from a guy who brought back 2 early '70's W114's from the dead and is in the process of bringing back another. It's an addiction Jim, it requires much counseling!

[Tomguy]

Offer $500 for car #1, see what they say.

Car #2 isn't worth what a tow would cost by the sound of it.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

Offer $500 for car #1, see what they say.

Car #2 isn't worth what a tow would cost by the sound of it.

Tomguy,

Actually, the price of scrap metal makes it worth it.

I have a diesel pickup and a car trailer, so it's pretty convenient to move stuff around.

The seller needs to get rid of a bunch of cars his brother owned (who died unexpectedly). He's a member of the MG club as well (as I), so I don't want to insult him with a ridiculous offer.

My gut feeling was the $800-1000 range. Assuming of course keys and a title, at least for car #1.

Jim

[t walgamuth]

The $500 sounds generous to me.

I have in the past from time to time offered more than I thought things were worth out of politeness. I always seem to regret it.

The 380/sbc is not worth pulling home except perhaps for trim parts.

Tom W

[meltedpanda]

well if it helps , i have been able to part out an 81 380 fairly easy, I have sold well over $1000 worth of parts, mostly to Europe, and off list serves. I have not even got to the engine yet

[Blue 72 250]

I would offer to help him out with scrapping the cars for the cost of my time. I don't see the logic of buying either car given the amount of rust that you have described.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

well if it helps , i have been able to part out an 81 380 fairly easy, I have sold well over $1000 worth of parts, mostly to Europe, and off list serves. I have not even got to the engine yet

I figure each car is worth $150 by weight, then there are the numerous W107 specific parts to sell on ebay. Never know, the early car may be salvagable, but then I'm a sucker for old Benzes. I've got a more or less complete 85 380SL with a locked engine. That Chevy conversion might be just the ticket...... Maybe in more ways than one.

The small block is interesting, as there is a good market for a SBC and a turbo hydramatic. Had a 4bbl on it.

Of course, when I figure the amount of time I need to invest in this, and what that hour is worth at work.... But then I can't drink at work.

I'll tender an offer, but I'm inclined to go low....

Jim

[douging]

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

I've got a more or less complete 85 380SL with a locked engine. That Chevy conversion might be just the ticket.....

It seems pretty obvious to me then if the estate car will run and drive with the 350. Maybe it won't have the resale value of an original 380SL but you're not likely to get that anyway. Stick the engine and ancillaries in, get it driving and working. And maybe you can slip a 3.8 or 4.5 or 5.6 MB in the future.

The 107 might finance some extra work on the 357SL (body, interior, etc).

$1200 for both

My .02.

[cth350]

tell him the truth. The cars are worth xxx$ as scrap (8.5 cents/pound for me 2 weeks back). There are virtually no salvagable parts thanks to the moisture damage. Prove it with a rag on the bumper to see that it's not going to suddenly become clean.

Offer to haul it to the dump for him and he can get paid for it directly. or that you'll pay him there and take care of it yourself.

If the #1 motor was a 3.5 with a manual shift, save the drive train. Otherwise, it's just so much scrap metal. Though somebody will actually need the engine+tranny if they can be shown to work.

-CTH

[sjefke]

See whether one or two of the Jags or Healeys are worth something and make him a package offer which also includes hauling away the MBs. At least you "might" get a worthwhile car out of it. Does not sound like the MBs are worth much.

I passed up two Jaguar XK150s (one being an S version) in a barn like that 20 years ago and still kicking myself a bit.

Bert

[JimFreeh]

Well, I bought the pair.

We'll see how this turns out, I'm hoping the early 450SL may not be too bad, but will not know until I get them home and look them over in the coming weeks.

Looks like I'm going to be scrapping a few cars in the backyard to reduce the total count and please Linda. First to go is a grey mkt 85 500SEL, then one of the 87 300Ds.

Thought about getting other cars, but I've got more projects than I can address now, and all the Brit cars needed complete restos. Four TR-6s, 4 Austin-Healey 3000s, 2 50s Jaguar MK 7,8 or 9 sedans minus drivelines, a MGB, a MG Midget, and a MG-TD. Couple of Porsche 944s. And many others....


The 450SL is the nicest car in the barn.

Now have to get the titles and find the keys.....

Jim

[meltedpanda]

you are a brave man...but I am sure it will be a fun adventure.., I do need a few dodads for mine so let me know if you go to parting...