Hello from a newbie!
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:59 pm
Hello folks, I've been a visitor to this site quite often and I've finally got around to registering. I'm new to the big saloons but I've had several of the smaller cars, namely a 1300 fwd, 1500TC and I currently have an 1850HL. I've always loved 2000s though and I'm starting to look around for something to scratch the itch.
I had a day off today so I went to look at a mk1 that's for sale about 40 miles from home (I should point out that I live in Dublin I suppose...). It's valencia in colour, a 68 car that started life in the North. First impressions of it are that it's straight, a little rough around the edges but seems to be rot free. It goes very well, not particularly quick but very smooth. I noticed the badge on the back suggested the car started life with overdrive but I don't think that's the case now. Was the overdrive switch on the gear knob on these cars?
The seats were cloth seats from a mark 11. A little grubby but in good nick. I'd prefer the original interior and he had a complete interior from, I think, an early mk1 that he picked up at Beaulieu. It was a very pale green with all the wood cappings etc and a set of white faced dials. In very good condition too. The carpets were worn out and would need replacing. Is it easy to get a new carpet set for these?
I have a friend who's had several mk11s and a mk1 pi so I'm going to talk to him when he gets back from his hols. I'd appreciate any comments or advice and what I should look for. I'll admit when I first looked at it I was 50-50, although it was a little better than I expected. When I saw the mk11 interior I was a bit disappointed but the mk1 interior (free with the car) made up for this lol). By the time I'd driven it and had a good look around it again I was trying to think of ways to break the news to the missus! There a Dolly that needs moving on first before I can bring anything else home.
The guy was looking for 1600 euros for it initially. Without pushing him too hard for his lowest price he said €1500 (roughly GB£1325). I think it's a little high but then again, I'm more up on the values of Dolomites than 2000s. I was tempted by the maroon mk1 that sold on ebay a few weeks ago and I think that reached about 850? Looked a very good buy at that price. Any advice on what I should pay for a half decent car would be much appreciated. I'll attach a few pics to give an idea of the condition.
I'm sure there's a lot more I wanted to ask but I'll do that as questions come to mind. Thanks for reading and, again, advice much appreciated.
Gary
I had a day off today so I went to look at a mk1 that's for sale about 40 miles from home (I should point out that I live in Dublin I suppose...). It's valencia in colour, a 68 car that started life in the North. First impressions of it are that it's straight, a little rough around the edges but seems to be rot free. It goes very well, not particularly quick but very smooth. I noticed the badge on the back suggested the car started life with overdrive but I don't think that's the case now. Was the overdrive switch on the gear knob on these cars?
The seats were cloth seats from a mark 11. A little grubby but in good nick. I'd prefer the original interior and he had a complete interior from, I think, an early mk1 that he picked up at Beaulieu. It was a very pale green with all the wood cappings etc and a set of white faced dials. In very good condition too. The carpets were worn out and would need replacing. Is it easy to get a new carpet set for these?
I have a friend who's had several mk11s and a mk1 pi so I'm going to talk to him when he gets back from his hols. I'd appreciate any comments or advice and what I should look for. I'll admit when I first looked at it I was 50-50, although it was a little better than I expected. When I saw the mk11 interior I was a bit disappointed but the mk1 interior (free with the car) made up for this lol). By the time I'd driven it and had a good look around it again I was trying to think of ways to break the news to the missus! There a Dolly that needs moving on first before I can bring anything else home.
The guy was looking for 1600 euros for it initially. Without pushing him too hard for his lowest price he said €1500 (roughly GB£1325). I think it's a little high but then again, I'm more up on the values of Dolomites than 2000s. I was tempted by the maroon mk1 that sold on ebay a few weeks ago and I think that reached about 850? Looked a very good buy at that price. Any advice on what I should pay for a half decent car would be much appreciated. I'll attach a few pics to give an idea of the condition.
I'm sure there's a lot more I wanted to ask but I'll do that as questions come to mind. Thanks for reading and, again, advice much appreciated.
Gary
