i actually know one guy who bought original UK RHD S1 3.8L roadster in 1981 for £4K people told him at the time he was mad. he still got it. i recon £150K? minimum
quick update (if anyone interested) , car is now drives (engine actually sounds very good and does not requires rebuild) , clutch and gearbox working, brakes will require quite a bit of work thou. brand new exhaust system is on. I've ordered windscreen and door glass. car is now booked in to the paint shop at the end of march for full colour change, just need to decide what colour it will be. original colour according to heritage certificate is light blue (not so keen), but will stick with that or will go black. not super sure.
here is the image i found of the same car as mine s2 roadster with hardtop in light blue. what do you think? i am just not so keen, but want to stick to original spec if i can.
Good that you found a car worth sorting. I like the light blue, not too many around in that colour and does keep it original spec. I had a car a similar colour years ago and it's great for not showing dirt, unlike black which will only make it to the end of your drive before looking filthy! I must confess a dislike of chrome wire wheels. Fine on early fifties American cars but European cars always seem to look better with painted wires to me. At the end of the day though it's you car so make yourself happy!!
well , car rolled off the factory floor with wires on , i will keep them, especially as i quite like them. colour is different matter . but probably will have to stick with light blue for originality
Keep the wire wheels. The colour, if you are wanting to keep her for a while, paint her whatever colour you like. If she is numbered, paint factory. I'd love to own her. Enjoy the journey.
Did it have chrome wires from the factory? I guess that was an option? I must admit cleaning wire wheels is tedious enough on a bike but must be complete hassle on a car as you'll have to remove them to clean properly and cars tend to have more spokes closer together. I like painted wires (e.g. BRG wires on BRG cars looks cool, dark red wires on white cars look cool, etc.) but not sure what colour you'd paint them on a light blue car other than silver. I think it was my time with MGs that turned me off chrome wires as every MGB that's restored seems to end up red with chrome wires - the most boring club rallies ever!!! Be especially wary if it's American chrome on the wheels as it just doesn't last. My 'stang had brand new chrome wheels when I got it and they started rusting as soon as they got wet. I now change the wheels for winter. Doesn't really matter what you do as you'll be happy enough when you start driving it!
A customer who lives about one me from evoarrow drove his e type into a garage and just left it there, I asked to see it and it's sitting rust free on four flat tyres, I asked if he at least drained the fuel and carbs, no. Red hard top, not sure what year though. Bloody beautiful car.
