Tahoe
New Reader
11/28/13 5:05 p.m.
I really hate to be picky or even critical since GRM and CM are 2 of my favorite 3 car magazines. I also now that some of your content is from others and there is so much information/content in each issue. I always seem to find at least one thing in each magazine that is questionable. This month was the values of certain classics with data from Hagerty. I'll only comment on the Lotus Elan. It's saying a '62 Elan is valued at $19061. Please find me a '62 and I'll buy all of them since they didn't start selling them until '63. You'd be hard pressed to even find a '63, and that value is not even close for an average Elan of any year. I won't speak for the other cars because I'm not as informed about them.
While I'm feeling my oats, page 122, the Bugeye with a "correct older restoration". Restored with non available wire wheels?
Andy Reid's nut's and bolts on pricing is interesting and I'm not going to disagree with him, however it made me think. I've had 3 Sunbeam Tigers, a'65 MKI, a '66 MKIA, and a '67 MKII. 2 were stock and the '65 was a highly modified car with similar upgrades as your project Tiger. It was the only one of the 3 I liked and it was fun. Looking at the current Tiger values I just don't get it. It has a minor connection to Shelby, it wasn't fast, it didn't do a lot of things very good, but was a reliable car with it's drivetrain and was comfortable for a British roadster. I guess my point is without that 260, 2 barrel carb, 165 HP, 0-60 in around 9 seconds, and the minor Shelby connection, no one would pay more than MGB prices for one. I believe the prices are incredibly inflated on them and although I made money on all 3 owned, I would never buy another. There are so many other better choices out there. Only my opinion of course.
Still love your magazines!
Thanks for the post, Tahoe. Although we put our stories through several rounds of proofreading and fact-checking, errors--like life, as Jeff Daniels observed in "Jurassic Park"--always find a way. (My personal all-time blooper was a huge headline on a Texas event that read "Big Bash Bend".) As for the Tiger, I actually prefer it to the Shelby--both the '66 we owned years ago and the '67 we own now. It's so English... until it's not. Fun.
Margie
Hi Tahoe, the Tiger deal is to do with a number of things.
First, for many years, there were very few well done Tiger restorations out there. Lately, these cars have been restored to a very high level. That fact alone has raised prices.
Another factor is that big engine British roadsters, Jaguar e-types, big Healeys and the like, have gone crazy as far as pricing is concerned. This has driven the market up on other cars and the Tiger is definitely a big engined British roadster.
Finally the Shelby connection has gotten to be more well known, also raising interest, especially when all the other Shelby stuff continues to increase in value.
As for the Lotus Elan prices, the Hagerty Price Guide is a bit behind. It is impossible to find a nice driver level Elan for less than $25,000. I know Dave who writes the guide and am sure that the prices for these cars will be adjusted.
Thanks for reading and I am happy you like the magazines!
In reply to Apis_Mellifera:
Also awesome.
Margie
200mph
New Reader
12/9/13 11:45 a.m.
"A rising tide lifts all boats".
That logic certainly applies to the Tiger. The waves of recent price appreciation for Cobras have lifted the values of almost anything made then in Europe with an American V8... Iso Grifos, Panteras, Mangustas, Italias, etc.
Tiger values climb, Alpine prices stagnate.
wspohn
Reader
12/10/13 2:12 p.m.
200mph wrote:
"A rising tide lifts all boats".
That logic certainly applies to the Tiger. The waves of recent price appreciation for Cobras have lifted the values of almost anything made then in Europe with an American V8... Iso Grifos, Panteras, Mangustas, Italias, etc.
Tiger values climb, Alpine prices stagnate.
Sounds good to me! I was thinking about selling my Jensen CV-8 and it has an engine bigger than most (383 ci) and more carbs than just about any (3x2)