First Refusal (Forum Member Offers Invited)
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 12:45 pm
Hello fellow forum members,
This is a difficult post to write but, on balance, I think perhaps the best options available as things stand for my 480S and me going forward. Following some heart-searching and reflection, I think it may be time to part with the 'Extra-Marital Car' (my wife's term for my 480). So, I thought I'd put some feelers out on here, to see if anyone might be looking for a reliable daily driver with some interesting extras (roller cover, tow-bar, extra spare alloys etc) before chancing the arm on more traditional means of selling..
The car will be known to some of you from last year's rally and meet up at Derwent Water - a shiny (original paint) 1.7 litre 'S' with 46839 or so on the clock (and good history to back this up). Others may have seen the thread I posted telling the story of her rescue and light restoration prior to getting back on the road (viewtopic.php?f=23&t=35086&p=209645&hil ... es#p209645) which has good photos of the work undertaken and the car pretty much as she is now.
She passed her MOT yesterday, with only one advisory, following repairs necessary after standing idle in the garage for nearly a year - rear caliper needed freeing up, exhaust joint needed sealing, a broken front coil spring was replaced. The advisory was for the (typical of the marque) windscreen crack, which is not an MOT fail as it is not in the driver's view.
My reason for considering selling is that with the arrival of daughter number 2 last year, an imminent house move and loss of garage mean both that the car is going to get less chance of being used for the foreseeable future than even last year, and she is likely to be exposed to the elements (not good for these old ladies!).
The paint job on the repaired arch (driver's side) isn't the best (as you can see) and was a DIY effort by me. However, the rest of the paintwork is original, and would probably benefit from a full respray (beyond my capability at the moment) at which point the rest of the minor dings and imperfections (there are a few - well she is 24!!) could be dealt with easily. Ideally I'd like her to go to an enthusiast, and feel she would be an excellent 'daily driver' for any 480 nut looking to reduce their reliance on a more cherished car..
She is in great condition for her age (1994), with a very very clean interior, good body including arches and doors, plus she has had lots of mechanical and electrical work in the light restoration (cam-belt & water pump, starter motor, coil pack, window regulators, Brinkie-instrument panel overhaul etc).
I've probably spent north of £1600 on her in the past couple of years, and ideally would like to cover costs, but would be delighted to hear (via PM) any offers that you might feel are fair. I'm happy to answer any questions, arrange test drives and all of that - just PM me. If you don't want to make an offer, I'd also be interested to hear what you think she might be worth.
All the best!
Martin Mc
This is a difficult post to write but, on balance, I think perhaps the best options available as things stand for my 480S and me going forward. Following some heart-searching and reflection, I think it may be time to part with the 'Extra-Marital Car' (my wife's term for my 480). So, I thought I'd put some feelers out on here, to see if anyone might be looking for a reliable daily driver with some interesting extras (roller cover, tow-bar, extra spare alloys etc) before chancing the arm on more traditional means of selling..
The car will be known to some of you from last year's rally and meet up at Derwent Water - a shiny (original paint) 1.7 litre 'S' with 46839 or so on the clock (and good history to back this up). Others may have seen the thread I posted telling the story of her rescue and light restoration prior to getting back on the road (viewtopic.php?f=23&t=35086&p=209645&hil ... es#p209645) which has good photos of the work undertaken and the car pretty much as she is now.
She passed her MOT yesterday, with only one advisory, following repairs necessary after standing idle in the garage for nearly a year - rear caliper needed freeing up, exhaust joint needed sealing, a broken front coil spring was replaced. The advisory was for the (typical of the marque) windscreen crack, which is not an MOT fail as it is not in the driver's view.
My reason for considering selling is that with the arrival of daughter number 2 last year, an imminent house move and loss of garage mean both that the car is going to get less chance of being used for the foreseeable future than even last year, and she is likely to be exposed to the elements (not good for these old ladies!).
The paint job on the repaired arch (driver's side) isn't the best (as you can see) and was a DIY effort by me. However, the rest of the paintwork is original, and would probably benefit from a full respray (beyond my capability at the moment) at which point the rest of the minor dings and imperfections (there are a few - well she is 24!!) could be dealt with easily. Ideally I'd like her to go to an enthusiast, and feel she would be an excellent 'daily driver' for any 480 nut looking to reduce their reliance on a more cherished car..
She is in great condition for her age (1994), with a very very clean interior, good body including arches and doors, plus she has had lots of mechanical and electrical work in the light restoration (cam-belt & water pump, starter motor, coil pack, window regulators, Brinkie-instrument panel overhaul etc).
I've probably spent north of £1600 on her in the past couple of years, and ideally would like to cover costs, but would be delighted to hear (via PM) any offers that you might feel are fair. I'm happy to answer any questions, arrange test drives and all of that - just PM me. If you don't want to make an offer, I'd also be interested to hear what you think she might be worth.
All the best!
Martin Mc
Here's the current mileage & car just post MOT..
