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T O P I C    R E V I E W
Mooresy Posted - 16 Oct 2017 : 21:50:26
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1973-Sunbeam-Rapier-H120-/292290061994?hash=item440dd866aa:g:QekAAOSwFLxZ3m18

Currently on ebay at £12,000.00 or best offer.

Probably the best one I have seen for sale in 10 - 12 years?

Its a Polar white 1973 H120 with a red stripe. Reg VHM 838M.
Its down in Cambridgeshire.

Karmann Ghia Anyone?
12   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
Mooresy Posted - 19 Oct 2017 : 21:53:17
Interesting point Tim. I read an article a few months ago (be it American) saying the same thing.
Currently there is a glut of 40's and 50's for sale cars on the American classic car scene and prices are dropping. This was put down to two factors.
As you say, loss of identification with these cars. Even the generation that can remember their dad having one are in their 70's (and thats if its a 50's car). So demand drops as the nostalgia is lost.
Secondly. The people that cherished these cars for the nostalgia (the same 70 year olds) are selling of their collections / hobby cars as they declutter and downsize towards the ends of their lives.
Of course, as you say, some models will always be regarded as classics of the era but there will be far less people interested in them.
Just look at the 40 year olds going mad for Nova SR's etc. It's what you had when you were young. Personally when I was young I had a Chrysler Sunbeam, 2 Rapier fastbacks and a TR7. Cars that were all older than my generation. But that's me.
arrocuda Posted - 19 Oct 2017 : 10:44:44
The thing to bear in mind with modern classics is that their inherent 'value' is only recognised by the generation of car enthusiasts that remember them on the road. As our generation dies off the value of the cars and other sentimental items from that era will fall too. Not that the items themselves (cars included), are worth any less than they were when they were popular, its just that there are less buyers for them. (Supply and demand).

My brother bought a Ford Anglia a couple of month's back for £5200. It's a mint car and needs nothing doing to it, just the way he likes it! Knowing that his passion is really for 70's cars I asked him as to why he'd gone for the angle box and he said that he decided that paying out over twice as much money for an Escort in similar condition just to take to the odd show in summer was difficult to justify.

Bearing in mind that there are a lot less Anglias than Escorts around you would expect the reverse to be the case in that the Anglia would be more expensive, but then again there's not so many people around that have a soft spot for them anymore. So be careful.... don't expect the price to keep going up and up indefinitely.

These cars are not rare Ferraris.

Tim

Building the 'Mark II' fastback Rapier ('Arrocuda').
onefunkyman Posted - 19 Oct 2017 : 08:18:41
Gone off ebay now, it's Howard Johnsons old car, known to the club and a real master of Holbay engine too. that's a cracking car - i've know him and his car for about 20 years.
IanEndurer Posted - 18 Oct 2017 : 09:32:30
The popularity through motorsport heritage is a big factor, look what the escorts and Sierra cosworths are fetching now. Saw an sierra rs200 for 90k recently! If I had the money I would have that h120 in a heartbeat. Someone's going to get a cracking motor.
JPSH120 Posted - 18 Oct 2017 : 07:22:24
In my opinion the main factor setting the prices of classic cars is popularity.

It isn't rarity otherwise an H120 would be worth more than a mk1 escort mexico!

I personally think that 12 grand for that one is a bargain!
IanEndurer Posted - 17 Oct 2017 : 21:50:08
If you look in the classic car mart it puts concourse h120's at 8k. It seems open opinion as to what a car is worth. No classic sale values the amount of time spent on the upkeep. If that was the case nearly all decent condition classics would be out of reach for most potential buyers.
Owners clubs value the model and heritage by keeping them on the roads and providing invaluable information to owners, sometimes it's worth more to those owning a classic through sentiment or otherwise than resale value.
JonandJude Posted - 17 Oct 2017 : 21:19:25
Mooresy your quite right the valuations in PC are daft. How can a top of the range, rare car, in a useable condition be valued at a couple of grand?
It doesn't value the time and effort that has gone in to it, the spares and parts, the welding, painting and the million other things that go into keeping a classic on the road.
We have to remember that potential buyers aren't going to buy and maintain cars if they see they are going to be worthless when they come to sell.
IanEndurer Posted - 17 Oct 2017 : 18:40:51
This is the reference I was making when i said 'it was a lot of money'. In respect of that you are right in that many would be making this comparison. With respect to the classic market a car is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. With rarity and outstanding condition being a powerful motive to open the wallet and annoy the wife
Mooresy Posted - 17 Oct 2017 : 18:27:12
Problem is, anyone looking on the Practical Classics price guide may be put off. We all know you've got to take it with a pinch of salt but they are putting the best examples / concourse H120's at £6,600. I wish!

That puts this not much short of double. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is far to high although is way beyond 'impulse buy' money. This issue really is with the price guide. £6,600 based on what?

Concourse £6,600, Con 1 £4,650, Con 2 £2,100, Con 3 1,000

For Ghia Coupes it reasonably accurate (some would argue low but I cant moan).
Concourse £14,000 (probably a little low) Con 1 10,000, Con 2 £5250, Con 3 2750.

IanEndurer Posted - 17 Oct 2017 : 13:21:53
Must be nuts to sell it! If only I had the money
JonandJude Posted - 17 Oct 2017 : 12:23:28
With the amount of time, effort and expense that's gone into thst I reckon it's well worth it and of course it's been owned since the 80's.
IanEndurer Posted - 17 Oct 2017 : 11:57:10
Saw this one a few days ago.
Looks a cracking example, although 12k is a lot of money. Seems to be one of the best out there though.

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