If you ran a garage restoring/selling classics...

[VinceFox]

Just been having an interesting chat with a mate who's thinking about going back into the motor trade. Had a very successful garage before, does all bodywork and mechanical stuff well.

One of the things he's thinking about this time is doing the odd performance classic to get a little enjoyment out of the subject matter as well as the bread and butter stuff and we were knocking around what brands/models you would target to still turn a small profit on them. Considered stuff that is easy to get in cheap tatty form but when done would be sought after by potential buyers.

So, what models should he choose?

[snuffle]

Anything profitable would be worth doing.

or

step 1, buy classic

step 2, strip off good parts

step 3, go banger racing

step 4, cover remains in hay and sell as barn find.

[Johnboy Mac]

VinceFox said:

Just been having an interesting chat with a mate who's thinking about going back into the motor trade. Had a very successful garage before, does all bodywork and mechanical stuff well.

One of the things he's thinking about this time is doing the odd performance classic to get a little enjoyment out of the subject matter as well as the bread and butter stuff and we were knocking around what brands/models you would target to still turn a small profit on them. Considered stuff that is easy to get in cheap tatty form but when done would be sought after by potential buyers.

So, what models should he choose?

Difficult one as most performance classics & classics for that matter, are well catered for in U.K.. So, I'd look at his location/area and see what the competition are specialising in and go from there. As for picking a brand, I can't say other than there will always be a market for classic German stuff like VW's, BMW's, Merc's & Porsche's. With a gun to my head I reckon 924's & early Golf GTi's are worth considering as there's little money tied up in buying tatty stock or parts.

[davepoth]

VinceFox said:

Just been having an interesting chat with a mate who's thinking about going back into the motor trade. Had a very successful garage before, does all bodywork and mechanical stuff well.

One of the things he's thinking about this time is doing the odd performance classic to get a little enjoyment out of the subject matter as well as the bread and butter stuff and we were knocking around what brands/models you would target to still turn a small profit on them. Considered stuff that is easy to get in cheap tatty form but when done would be sought after by potential buyers.

So, what models should he choose?

I'm thinking MX-5.

Seriously though, you can pick them up for peanuts, but a well presented one is worth a bit more, and if you bought up a job lot of rollcages and bunged those in I reckon you could do pretty well.

[Dave Hedgehog]

turning quattros into SWB sport quattros

[snuffle]

Don't let your family members use Twitter.

[MH82]

I would say anything Ford, Pre 90s Fords seem to have a following RS Turbos, Cosworths and now the XRs seem to be appreciating in value. Simple mechanics and as long as you are handy with a welder then there shouldn't be too many surprises. Golfs, 205s also a good shout

[VinceFox]

snuffle said:

Don't let your family members use Twitter.

It's ok, theyve built their own business up from scratch so they appreciate the value of customers.

[snuffle]

[iva cosworth]

Dave Hedgehog said:

turning quattros into SWB sport quattros

I believe Dialynx have that covered ,no ?

[Hooli]

davepoth said:

VinceFox said:

Just been having an interesting chat with a mate who's thinking about going back into the motor trade. Had a very successful garage before, does all bodywork and mechanical stuff well.

One of the things he's thinking about this time is doing the odd performance classic to get a little enjoyment out of the subject matter as well as the bread and butter stuff and we were knocking around what brands/models you would target to still turn a small profit on them. Considered stuff that is easy to get in cheap tatty form but when done would be sought after by potential buyers.

So, what models should he choose?

I'm thinking MX-5.

Seriously though, you can pick them up for peanuts, but a well presented one is worth a bit more, and if you bought up a job lot of rollcages and bunged those in I reckon you could do pretty well.

Seen a few places about up here doing that, seems to work for them.

[Dave Hedgehog]

iva cosworth said:

Dave Hedgehog said:

turning quattros into SWB sport quattros

I believe Dialynx have that covered ,no ?

so, its what i would like to do