79 MGB, How much?

I have a 79 MGB that I just dropped a fresh motor into. the motor only has about 6,500 miles on it, so it should provide many years of service. Lots of oil pressure, and doesn't leak that I can see. The car has a header, weber downdraft carb, brand new tires, and is at the paint shop now getting a fresh paint job - in black, not brown. Here are some pics of the car before the paint job, I have cleaned up the interior, and replaced the torn arm rest. the seats are not torn, but do have some fading. I have lots of reciepts for the car, and a clear title from alabama. The speedometer works, but the tach does not appear to. I think the fuel gauge is also broken. The windshield has a crack. the car is currently in Chattanooga TN area. I'm thinking I'll put it on ebay, unless someone here wants to buy it soon. What should I ask for it?

Here's another one.

It looks like you could get 1500 for it. But ebay, who knows, 5000.

I had a 1979 with the same color with little or no rust, badly faded paint, a small tear in the drivers seat and a new top,muffler and carb rebuild. The car ran perfectly ,but could only muster $2500.00 from a school teacher who needed a project for the summer. Everyone said I was lucky to get that much. The car was sold last year. I hope that you can do better.
Garth..........

the overall appearance judges against it. any way you could clean it up?

mine's not sharp either, but it won't sell until after I'm dead so i don't give a rats.<G>

You guys, he says he's painting it, and he cleaned up the interior, rebuilt engine.

If it is mostly rust free, I'd probably ask around $4,000 - $5,000 for it.

Might help to post some pictures of the finished project. You didn't mention the body condition unless I missed it. The new paint will help for sure but most smart buyers are going to want to know whats under it. If it's really solid, I'd try my best to document that before the paint goes on. Unfortunately, it looks to need a new interior at least for me to be happy. Not so sure it'll fetch 5 grand with the tatty interior but if you can prove the body is really sound, it may.

Hmmm...what does the trunk floor look like? What about the floor boards?

The fuel gauge is probably not the culprit, but the sending unit. Check the wire connection at the gas tank.

Without paint, around here that would struggle hard to get $2k. With great paint, maybe $4k.

With cheap paint, maybe $2500.

Does it have an over drive tranny? If it did, and worked, that would add value.

Ben Pender down at Klassic Autos in Alabama said he charges around 2400 to do a complete engine overhaul that requires machine work. this motor is running strong, and was fully rebuilt 6,500 miles ago. This weekend I am picking the car up and taking proper pictures to put it up for sale. The interior will not be replaced, there are no rips in the seats, or door panels. As I said, the ripped door cap has already been replaced. I hated the brown paint, I can't believe anyone would want a sports car in brown. I've always thought the late model cars looked best in black, with the black bumpers. Not to mention, Black with tan interior is always popular. So, it's being painted this week. For that matter, it may already be painted, but I wont be back in Chattanooga til the weekend. I started to take it to maaco, but a friend of mine reffered me to a fellow he knows who curses maaco's work, and said he could do two or three times the quality for the same price. I didn't hesitate to let him prove himself. I did not look too close at the trunk and floors, I have been in and out of the trunk, but nothing stood out to me, no holes, or large rust spots that I noticed. I did not pull the carpet up. The previous owner repaired the doglegs and other various rust spots with body filler, and had left it in the primer you see in the pictures. these were actually taken before I bought the car. (notice the lifted front end, it clearly has no motor in these pictures)

$5000 would be wonderful, but I haven't been that optimistic. I suppose we shall see.

madhatter Wrote:

I was thinking between 3500 and 4, is that out of the question?

You never know, on Ebay.

I dont think $3500-4000 is too high, given new paint and fresh engine.

Someone will decide that is a fair price to pay for a summer toy. There's not much else you can buy (that runs and the top goes down) for that kind of money.

If the paint turns out good and the interior is presentable, I'd ask $4,500 locally and see where the offers fall.

The sad fact is that MGB prices have not "popped" like big Healeys, Jags, and more expensive LBC's have.

So we are stuck in a range of $2000-$12000 for all but the finest restorations. Most cars with no needs seem to sell for $5000-6000. I'd put yours below that range, but not in the same league as the rusty buckets.

Now, dont expect anyone on this forum to pay up for your car, because we all know (from experience) the upkeep and rust repair expense that likely lies ahead.

Look at your car as a buyer would, and decide, what would you pay for this car in this condition? I'm still thinking $3,500-$4000, even with the color change.

Personally I wouldn't pay ANYTHING for a sh-t brown sports car... thus why I changed it. I don't think the new owner will mind too much, unless of course, sh-t brown is their favorite color...

Not my color either but remember it is a 79. Liesure suits and Disco used to be all the rage too.:) My TR8 had those gawd awful plaid seats & door trim when I got it. Not anymore. Buddy of mine used to have one same year & brown color. He wasn't crazy about the color either but is was a rock solid original with overdrive. After looking at about a dozen rust buckets, he decided he could live with it.

Andrew,

I have a 79, in excellent shape, including recent interior, top and paint job, motor runs great, no rust repair was needed and I can't get $5000.00 for it so somewhere in the $3000.00 range.

Heres the completed car

http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k55/drownedtolife/?action=view&current=668f74e2.pbw

and the auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250234224301

The car looks much better painted.

Regarding the Photobucket, I guess you're a KISS fan.

Uhh.. *shifty eyes* Yeah... you should see my myspace... http://www.myspace.com/drownedtolife

heres some for the lazy people

Guess we know how much: $3651