| Author | Message | |||
     Mark Anson Experienced User Username: bentleybloke Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hi All, Thanks for all your replies on previous "daft" posts by myself. I am in the final throws of purchasing the T2 I have been asking questions about. It belongs to a friend and he has said its mine but I am a little worried about all the mechanical faults and problems this type of car has. Most seem a little expensive compared to my Mk VI. Is there a check list of items that someone has for me to run through when checking the car over? Could someone give me a rough idea of value (in UK pounds)for a 1977 T2? Here is a description for you to get an idea. The bodywork is OK but could benefit from a respray (small micro blisters in the paint). The interior could do with a GOOD clean as the tan leather looks dirty. The veneer on the door capping's, picnic tables and parts of the dash are cracked. The door capping's have varnish missing and its gone milky in places (how much to re do capping's and tables?). The car has NO HISTORY and has had 13 owners! It has just had pads all round and a second hand ECU as the original was not working. Underneath looks solid and it appears to have no oil leaks. Tyres are good but rear chrome bumper starting to rust. Engine sounds OK and the gears are smooth. Two of the electric windows are slow to open and two of the central door locks are inoperative. Sounds a bit bleak I know but doing the work is part of the fun and this is also reflected in the price. I just want to know if its too much, any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am going to agree/disagree on the sale this Saturday. Below is a picture of the car. Thanking you all in advance. Cheers Mark Anson
| |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 130 Registered: 9-2004 |
Mark.Don't rush on this. Against it. Having no service history. 13 owners. Varnish flaking etc points to a damp interior. Micro blisters in paint mean stood outside. Have a good look under the carpets, drivers floor is important of this lovely mark,make sure it is not rusty damp etc. Good points,its a T2. You are prepared to have a go,very rewarding. Still time to get an independant inspection. AA or RAC worth the expence. Have you old mots or confirmed milage. I will let you have contact details re roof. | |||
| John Dare Unregistered guest Posted From: 144.138.194.89 |
Hello Mark;re yours of 2/12. I have found from experience that when one is attempting to sell a Bentley "T" series, prospective buyers try to tell you that they are "not worth very much" (implication being that "most" buyers "really" want "R-R"s!) but conversely, when you are trying to BUY, then you are invariably told of their relative rarity (approx. 10% of production) and in the case of the T2 model, "its only ONE out of 552!";whatever the actual. The vehicle as described, seems like a sad and sorry example,hardly suprising after 13 owners, few of whom would have been anywhere as caring as you intend to be. I always suggest that people save more, to buy the BEST possible example of their chosen car, irrespectve of the marque. If you buy at the bottom end of the market(tempting as it so often is) then you WILL eventually spend MORE upon the car than if you had bought a very good example in the first instance. To make matters worse, the car will, in terms of condition, remain marginal from an overall perspective. If you proceed with this purchase, my instinct tells me that the only people who will benefit are the mechanics who will be charging you PLENTY as you find yourself committed to over 25 years of "catch up" work. Once you are so committed you will find yourself in a position from which it is difficult, if not impossible, to withdraw. CAVEAT EMPTOR (Message approved by david_gore) | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 339 Registered: 4-2003 |
Hi Mark, Sorry cannot help with UK pricing but an indicative price here would be in the range AUD12000 to AUD20000 depending on mechanical condition, colour/trim combination and freedom from corrosion. A pristine, well-maintained motor car with known provenance and maintenance records would reach AUD40000+. I can only repeat the advice of our past Shadow & Derivatives Registrar: Every extra Dollar[Pound] you pay when purchasing the car will save you at least two Dollars[Pounds] in repairs | |||
| William H. Trovinger II Grand Master Username: bill_trovinger Post Number: 177 Registered: 8-2003 |
Mark; I will second the comments of Pat, John and David. I also understand your want to do some of the work, as that is part of the “fun” of ownership. However, there are enough things to maintain and improvements you can make to keep you in DIY heaven on a good car let alone take on the additional work you seem to be outlining here. Further in your laundry list I saw brake pads mentioned but no comment on the condition of the hydraulic system. Has someone given this a good inspection for you? For more information on the hydraulics I would kindly suggest you do a search on this site with the keyword “hydraulics” to get an idea of what you could be looking at. Best of luck, Bill | |||
| Marek Pruszynski New User Username: marek Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2004 |
Hello Mark Being a displaced UK 'bloke' myself, I have to sympathise with you...it's hard to find an inexpensive 'fixer upper' in the UK. Part of my 'collection' includes what sounds like a similar car to what you're looking at, but the RR version...I have a pair of ex-UK Shadow II's of '77 vintage. Both looked reasonable at time of purchase, low miles etc. etc. Trust me...they've been a NIGHTMARE! Rust, rust, filler and rust. Many coats of paint, more filler and rust! Floor sections falling out of seemingly 'solid' floors! 'Millions' of rusty brake lines, rusted exhausts...rotten carpet, poor wood...not to mention complete hydraulics rebuild needed! I'm now in the second year of their restoration. I now remember how bad poorely looked after cars are in UK. Compare this to a really rock solid low mileage/ownership 1966 Shadow 1 that was delivered here in the US from day one and lived most of it's life down in southern states. A lot of history. No holes. A little filler in a couple of dings. Original and reasonable carpets, excellent }wood...even the spare was original after 38 years! It's not seen salt...and it was looked after. Stay away from mega-owner, no history, beginning to rot at the edges Rolls/Bentleys in UK. Yes, that's right: "Every extra Pound you pay when purchasing the car will save you at least two Pounds in repairs" (Sorry!) Marek PS As for value? Look on Ebay and get an idea of what people want to pay for them...you'll be surprised how many inexpensive ones there are...though how 'inexpensive' they remain after purchase is another matter | |||
| Mark Anson Frequent User Username: bentleybloke Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2004 |
Thank you for all your replies. I have taken your advice and as tempting as it was, have put that T2 purchase on hold. I am however still looking and with the information from this site will hopefully get a good buy. Cheers Mark |
1977 T2 (SBH 31659)