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Garage / Re: Deep question: Are project Europas more sought-after than restored Europas?
« Last post by Bryan Boyle on Today at 12:08:57 PM »i captured some of my thoughts back in '09 when I had reached the 99% point of restoring 693R:
http://www.lotuseuropa.us/0693r/journal/index.php?m=01&y=09&entry=entry090126-154142
It comes down to $ and time. Back in the mid 'aughts, a gent spent an inordinate amount of $ on a gold-plated Europa resto. IIRC it was in the high 5 digits. Like real strong high 5 digits. Pretty sure it ended up in the Philly region...and I know who bought it paid not even 40% of what that resto cost him. He did it because he could.
693R cost over the 2 years to complete it, over 30K. 2007 money. Pretty sure if I really dug into 3291R, it would be closer to 50K now to do what I did to 693R. I can tell you it didn't sell for anything close to what the renovation/restoration cost. But it was something I always wanted to do. So...the tuition was steep...but the enjoyment was worth it. What it brought was a little fear of that first paint chip, the first scratch on the rechromed bumpers...
Only you can decide; there is something to be said for something in safe, presentable, and working original condition. 693R was a restoration, 3291R has won shows because it is original, leaky gaskets, checked paint, cracked dash, and all. It is, in the end, your ride...but it only rolled out the Hethel door once...if it is safe to drive (new rubber!), stops properly, and starts (grrr right now on 3291R) and shifts ok...you've got a head start.
Just my $.02
http://www.lotuseuropa.us/0693r/journal/index.php?m=01&y=09&entry=entry090126-154142
It comes down to $ and time. Back in the mid 'aughts, a gent spent an inordinate amount of $ on a gold-plated Europa resto. IIRC it was in the high 5 digits. Like real strong high 5 digits. Pretty sure it ended up in the Philly region...and I know who bought it paid not even 40% of what that resto cost him. He did it because he could.
693R cost over the 2 years to complete it, over 30K. 2007 money. Pretty sure if I really dug into 3291R, it would be closer to 50K now to do what I did to 693R. I can tell you it didn't sell for anything close to what the renovation/restoration cost. But it was something I always wanted to do. So...the tuition was steep...but the enjoyment was worth it. What it brought was a little fear of that first paint chip, the first scratch on the rechromed bumpers...
Only you can decide; there is something to be said for something in safe, presentable, and working original condition. 693R was a restoration, 3291R has won shows because it is original, leaky gaskets, checked paint, cracked dash, and all. It is, in the end, your ride...but it only rolled out the Hethel door once...if it is safe to drive (new rubber!), stops properly, and starts (grrr right now on 3291R) and shifts ok...you've got a head start.
Just my $.02