I am (hopefully) in need of a new project and dont really know what to do....

There are lots of things I would like to do but ultimately cannot afford to do - as always!

The short term/initial budget is around £8k, and some monthly input after that if needs be.

There are 2 main choices:
Build a custom bike
Restore something with a big V8 - but I am unsure what.

I always said I would, at some point, do both. But now I have the choice I dont know where to start.

I dont fancy doing another kit, as if its a car I want it to have at least a soft top and all the nice (IMO) cars with lids are too much money!

I would like the project to last around 2 years or so before it being on the road.

Its also important that its an investment - ie doesnt lose any money!

Anyway aside from the custom bike...thoughts are classic yank (camaro or firebird for example) or a TVR or something

Any ideas welcome - but dont be offended if I dont chose your suggestion!

Heres the engine David
190425870684

Steve.

S2000 power triumph spitfire

I wouldnt bother restoring as it will cost you a shed load and you will never get the money back.

I would go for a custom chopper. Plenty to play with and you could make most of the trick bits yourself with the tools you have.
Choppers keep there money as they dont really age much due to the different designs.

Thats my opinion anyway.

I've always really fancied doing a Morris Traveller "Sleeper". Redo everything, all suspension, brakes and of course engine and transmission etc.

Not sure how much of a sleeper it would stay in all honesty, but I've wanted to do one for over 20 years!







I hate the way google images is now........

[Edited on 10/8/10 by Steve Hignett]

Always fancied doing a custom bike meself
Probably caused by watching too much OCC


Strange really cos i can't ride one

how about a gyrocopter

Custom trike. They always look to fetch good money.

unless you can find a very cheap yank tank thats a) 1950's 60's car b) not roten c) complete then I doubt you will make money.

how about an old Datsun 240z and stick a Yank V8 in it, or an Rb26 out of a skyline GTR

Build a:

plane
helicopter
autogyro
glider
hang glider
motorised paraglider

in the famous words of Dave Ghrol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdX-RX5IHAU

D Type replica....well thats my dream anyway.

http://www.realmengineering.com/pricing.html

£8k....probably not but bet it would hold its value !

Rich

quote:

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Originally posted by Steve Hignett
I've always really fancied doing a Morris Traveller "Sleeper". Redo everything, all suspension, brakes and of course engine and transmission etc.

Not sure how much of a sleeper it would stay in all honesty, but I've wanted to do one for over 20 years!


I hate the way google images is now........

[Edited on 10/8/10 by Steve Hignett]

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Hot Rod or street rod with a big V8.

I built an old ford pop into a hot rod with a small block Chevy. It was the nuts.

I like the Morris Sleeper Idea. I love Sleepers and would love to do something like that.

For a long time I wanted to do a luxury custom job on a small car (I was thinking along the lines of a more modern Allegro Vanden Plas) with wood and leather so it was like a roller/Jag inside.

I wouldn't think your likely to make money unless you go down the Kit route. Restoring cars doesn't add as much value as it costs (I'm told some cars are actually worth more unrestored) and custom stuff is the same story unless its prepping for track or trials.

I'd like to buy an XJC12 and do it up like the one Steed had in the New Avengers, though I've no idea what that would cost.

would love a hotrod


would not turn my nose up at a D type rep but with maybe the supercharged straight six fitted

For me it would be a choice of three:

TVR with a modern V8 and a new loom to try and make it the car it should have been in the first place. (Audi/BMW or lsx if you can afford it)

Yank muscle, 69 camaro, hemi challenger fastback mustang etc. probably all well outside your budget. My hatred of carbs and love for power would force an LSx

Hot rod. Id love to build a '32 pickup or something with a 5 linked rear and coils on the front (a break from tradition I know) and a modern v8 dressed up as something more traditional.

If you want an intersting project AND don't want to lose any money on it then I can;'t see any of the above suggestions being any good.

What you need to do is find something where somebody else has already done all the paying out, and has run out of money, time , space, enthusiasm, and you finish it off/resolve whatever problems haven't been overcome.

All car projects lose money, you just need to find something where somebody else has done the losing.

i've always fancied a MK 2 Escort or a Old Dodge Charger or a Camero

We built a kit - the Dax, then realised it was the building we liked, rather than the driving, so have got a Triumph TR4a which we're restoring.

It won't make money, in fact if we sell it when its done (which we probably will as we're already thinking about the next one!) we'll lose.... but - if you consider it as 4 years worth of hobby, then it costs MUCH less than playing golf 2-3 times a week....

If you want to make money on it, then as above, find someone who has lost the money already - ie buy a half finished something, started restorations are dirt cheap!

Chris

I still like the idea of something that ends up looking like a 1920s bently - perhaps based on a transit chassis/suspension - sell it to one of those wedding car hire places whens you've done. It would assume you can make the metal bodywork and leather upholstery to keep the costs reasonable though.

Regards
Hugh

I've always fancied restoring a Porsche 914, although given the scarcity of authentic parts in the UK, I suspect it could potentially be a money pit. Parts are readily available both in the US and the UK but they aren't cheap.

Phil

Thanks for all the suggestions

Some interesting ideas and suggestions thats for sure!

Not too keen on the sleeper idea, to be honest.

I dont mind if I dont make money on it - I suppose I more meant that I dont want a money pit project that I plough say £20k into over the next 5 years and then only get £5k back.

I do like the mk2 escorts but finding a good shell is too expensive to start with.

Always fancied a yank, but they are too big to fit in my garage unfortunately - it would just go in, but nothing else would!

I have already thought about a TVR with an LS7 engine in, and its my favourite idea at the moment. Its been done before, so its definately possible! If I can find a good(ish) Chimera for sensible money, then I would definately consider it! Just need to research some prices of bits.

So its a toss up between the TVR and a bike....always the option to do one or the other at a later though I spose.

[Edited on 11/8/10 by flak monkey]

I'd go for the bike personally as it's more of a test of creativity - you'll have a completely blank canvas.

Like sleepers though being British not American I'd call them Q-cars

[Edited on 11/8/10 by iank]

Volvo amazon/1800 + V8
Diesel bike

Hi

Have you considered a classic motorcycle - C 1950s - not too expensive to get a project and will hold it's value if restored 'sympathetically'

Regards Mick