MarrsCars

I'm ok with hood ornament collectors because I'm sure most enjoy theirs on the shelf the same as you would on your car. I can relate, there is an aircraft engine badge I want desperately but airplane guys like to put them on a plaque or just use it as a paperweight. I catch myself thinking, "what are they really doing with that, I would appreciate it so much more," yet in my case we both are just admiring the badge, not putting in on an engine. Some guy with the engine would probably be angry with us both for taking it off the market. Terry, I've heard your tractor story a couple of times but it never bores me. That is really such a cool story.

I agree with you here, technology will always catch up because it's such a massive market, selling car parts. I remember 15-years ago everyone talking about how you won't be able to restore "modern" cars because of all the plastic, well now we have 3D printers and that will only get more common and cheaper. Electric cars won't be the end, but maybe legislating people-driven cars when the roads are full of autonomous vehicles. The first available to the public are being readied now for sale in just a couple of years, the brand new S-class is already fully autonomous, they took one for a 60-mile drive with no human input for all except one stubborn pedestrian that the car didn't know how to handle. (He waved it ahead at a crosswalk but the car wouldn't budge.) I do think that the Virage pictured will be the last Aston to appreciate tho, they may be among the worst the company produced and are a bit... bubbly in line. The Z8 never dropped in value did it, kinda like the Ford GT. Good call on your list! Jazzer... I agree on the Crossfire SRT and West might also. Dandy Dave... Yes, sadly Peter Falk passed a few years ago. I didn't know him but we dined side by side at the diner counter downstairs in the Beverly Hills Hotel. One thing I liked about eating there is you could have anything you wanted really, didn't matter if it came from the Polo Lounge upstairs or even off the menu altogether, they would make it happen. Anyway, I always respected the cafe employee's time and would only occasionally order off the menu when I really had a craving for something specific, but I noticed Mr. Falk and his very lovely wife seemed to have their own menu as everything was a special order. Oh to be rich and famous!!!

I read it as "that" Tucker, meaning the so-called convertible. Maybe I'm just a troublemaker. Never get tired of looking at one of these in the flesh, I always find something new in the details. Favorite is still that giant grille work at back and overall rear treatment.

You know, just a couple of years ago Benz guys were telling people the sedans weren't worth buying if you had to put money into one, but their prices have also started to climb as well and many people haven't even noticed and price like it was last year, so they are still achievable by mortals and I think represent excellent value for money, especially the MFI cars like you had, the only way to go really. People are afraid to touch that complex analog computer of a fuel injection system but if it hasn't been monkeyed with it likely will never need any real servicing or adjustment. They are bulletproof, even the auto box is extremely durable and I don't know of one that has failed. I think the normal course of appreciation with most other cars also applies here, with cabriolets rising in value first, then coupes but the exception is the sedans. Normally a sedan will languish infinitely but I truly believe the recent uptick in sedan values is because they have a unique design from the coupes, no shared sheet metal tho they do look similar in the doghouse and most can't tell, tho the coupe/cab grille is swept back and the hood/fenders are slightly longer. If you want fins you can't have them on a coupe or cab, not much anyway, so that is a truly unique design and is becoming appreciated by the younger crowd who associate fins = cool, which is true of course.

I don't remember that one either. If you find it let me know. Not saying it's impossible but it would have been much more difficult to record sound in a moving vehicle at that time, "talkies" didn't even happen until about 8 or so years prior so the technology would have been costly, especially if it was just for process shots. I'd wonder if they simply didn't dub audio to match in the version you saw.

Small world this car one. In reality, I will probably never sell my coupe, I'm sure my heirs will be happy with that likelihood. I'll bet you loved revving that beauty as much as I do today.

@Dave Mitchell I agree, Mr. Ross keeps everyone in line and the auction moving. I didn't see what the Duesenberg and a few other cars went for, I had to take a call during part of the auction, but the results will be posted on this page shortly. So far I only see 2013 shown. http://www.goodingco.com/results/ @Karguy Thanks!!! I love this kind of detailed reading, and as special as they have always been, I will never look at a Piece Arrow the same way again thanks to your guidance. @Bleach I couldn't buy any of those cars either, and if the values seen the last two days are any indication, I may not be able to afford my own car in the near future!

Here's the link to view the auction: http://www.goodingco.com/auction/scottsdale-2014/ Also, a Piece Arrow just went across the block (no sale) that David Gooding stated had "cast aluminum body", never heard of this. Anyone have info on how this was accomplished? It would seem to me that cast aluminum would be rather thick but maybe there's a process I am not familiar with.

Hi, we have communicated since the original post of course but we have not forgotten you. Just last week I mentioned your request to a new contact I made in the Oldtimer world. I remain vigilent on your behalf and still have your contact info.

The current issue of UK-published Octane magazine (Jan '14, issue #127) has a full article on page 160 about the original Bugatti Bebe and makes mention of several other later makers as well. You may find it interesting.

We use the Global Shipping Program also for selling overseas and it even appears from the ad that this is one of the options he lists? I'm a bit confused on that part, why he is hesitant to ship when he seemingly already offers the option. As MCHinson said you will automatically be charged for the customs duty using this program whereas regular shipping is more hit or miss, and it can be costly in it's own right so check that as well.

Hi Megatron007 (maybe best name on here) and welcome. Here's a couple of rusty cars to tide you over. Two separate "barn find" 300sl Gullwings and the famous Lake find Bugatti.

Hi, I will send you info in a PM out of respect for his privacy. I've never built 1/8 but have considered it many times, I think I would go crazy (in the good way) getting all the little details just right. Do you customize yours such as change interior materials or even altering coahwork and so on or do a by the book build? I used to really enjoy chopping up my 1:24 cars into limousines, custom cabriolets and so on.

EDM, thanks for stopping in to comment on this thread. While opinions vary on the topic it's always welcome to have both views of a story or project. I'm sure none of us doubt your creativity, just citing opinions from the strict "factory build" crowd that is drawn to this forum. Stick around, I'm sure your metal fabricating and CF experience will come in handy to others seeking advice on their own projects and clearly you are a gear head just like the rest of us.

I see this is no longer necessary for your project but some "models" are really more like toys, consider Corgi and Dinky, many of them are similarly sized for play but all different technical scales, this is known as "fit the box" scale to toy collectors. The manufacturers may state they are 1/43 or whatever but they will err on one side or the other, and with toys rather than actual exacting models, or even cheaper models, the wheels and tires are often not matched correctly. Even body work can be incorrect if the car was hand sculpted like earlier models and especially toys were rather than strict proportion such as you achieved with your projection. I have an acquaintance who owns a scale model car company should you like any specific information from him, PM me if so.

I don't mind the profile but the grille treatment is awful, the mesh should be thicker to hide all the sausage making going on behind it. I don't hate the wheels, I get that they may be more practical for today's use, more contact patch to brake such a heavy vehicle, but I would like to see them brushed in the center to more closely match the original. The fenders bother me because they are just too flat up front, the subtle elegance of those sculpted lines are what really set the cars of the era apart as this one should now. The leather seats have a mottled finish that just looks "man made" to me, there are so many other options, especially at this price point. Add in the earlier comment about the split rear and you can begin to see that many bits were simply reused from other cars not fabricated whole. As we hear often, if they skimped here then where else? My guess is the guy hears what real Bugatti's sell for, new and classic, and thought he might get some wealthy Saudi or Emirati to bite. This is a $40,000 car to me, and maybe up to $120,000 for the right buyer who just wants a wild looking toy, but the rest of the money is better spent on any number of dozens of better cars.

I do also see that the Grand 600 came with a similar wheel, if this is for a 600 the value would be slightly higher if it wasn't shared with other models. Again, I'm not sure how you can confirm without a part number but maybe Classic Center could help if you sent a pic.

I would say they are comparable especially given your experience with Oldtimer Benzes. Without seeing them it's hard to judge price but again, that's relative, if you feel it's a good deal then it is. The biggest issue will be finding all new avenues for parts and the right repair shop to handle stuff you don't want to take on, but no different than the vintage MB or probably any other high end marque, when dealing with sourcing parts. The fact that you have two makes it an easier decision and gives you some space and ability to make one car whole from two if that's your angle. At $20k tho, I might buy one really good Spirit/Spur or Shadow variant as that money buys a fine one these days that is running and driven regularly but that's my only concerned opinion.

You've exhausted my specific knowledge on this but it could be on anything from a W113 to a W111/112 but not the very early cars and maybe not the very late cars, but moving towards mid-late opposed to mid-early because of the satin chrome (appears that way to me anyway) and that it seems to lack the shock pad on the back. Here's an example of one we know is correct being offered by the Classic Center, it is like yours but has a chrome ring, and states '65-'67 in the listing and covers models 230S, 250S/SE, 250SL, 300SE which is everything from sedan to coupe to roadster. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Classic-Black-Steering-Wheel-230S-250S-SE-250SL-300SE-1965-1967-/271351169615?vxp=mtr

Bill, I forgot about the S-Type, that one also shared it's platform with a Lincoln I believe? There was the X-Type which I think all might agree was an overreach, low quality interior and a cheapened design created as an entry level model. I tend to agree a bit more with Kimo if those were the cars he referenced, but the S was another homage to an earlier car so it looks good to my eye, especially the S-Type R

I'd like to correct this common misperception. Moray Callum is the brother to Jaguar design chief Ian Callum. Moray was given the job of designing the 2000 Taurus redesign and, being surrounded by so much Jaguar lore via his sibling, he used the E-Type as an influence for the Taurus nose, a subtle homage' to the family business. His brother Ian then designed the new XK (X150) in 2006 or 2007 and logically also drew from the E-Type and the previous Geoff Lawson-designed XK8 (X100) for this follow up car. The X100 was designed around 1991-92 so you could also argue that the Taurus copied this car as well as the E-Type. Of course none of that will make the car any more beautiful to your eyes as that is subjective. I also found parts availability and prices to be very good on the two Jags I personally owned.

Another excellent point to back the minority Jag lovers here. During this time in production Jaguar actually topped the JD Power reliability surveys, that is really saying something for the brand! Not to insult your choice, fine looking cars but I would rather toss a friend a live grenade than the keys to an out of warranty Audi, the damage, emotional toll and aftermath will be much easier and cheaper to deal with than sorting a "well loved" Audi. To be fair much of that may simply owe to the younger boy racer crowd that buys these cars and abuses them on a lease term. I am basing this on several rescue missions I had to perform on my Audi buddies cars. I'm very glad you're enjoying yours however, they are fine looking cars and I'd be driving an A5 or S8 right now if I was more reassured.

I can't guess on true rarity but we personally do a ton of antiquing in Portland area, literally 4 or 5-mornings a week or so out in the shops and estate sales, and I have not noticed one of these in the fiber body before, tho I'm not sure I would have noticed it's construction without picking one up since it has a metallic appearance.

I also would avoid it but only because the keys were "lost" and you can't check it's major systems properly. What if it's a flood damaged car? Also, these were often second cars or weekend cars so the mileage is higher than I'd prefer to see. These cars are fairly cheap to buy today so I'd seek one out that you can test drive and have an indie Jag shop do a PPI for you on. Otherwise, these are pretty fabulous cars for grand touring, I had a couple of the older cars from the 60's and 70's that had electrical issues but these don't really suffer in the same way. They are modern (aside from the XJS underpinnings), have a great engine but I recall there were issues with cylinder liners so you also want to check the specific car either wasn't part of this issue or that the engine was replaced in era. The reason these cars depreciate like crazy is because people are still shell shocked over the quality issues from the distant past, but that works to the enthusiast's advantage. I would buy one if I could verify it's condition and I do occasionally consider it. Edit: I found some info on the cylinder liner issue here.

I forgot this was a fixed head car, it surely would have then faced competition from the more luxurious SE coupes, which were originally planned to be fitted with an SL style grille and star rather than the upright grille the final version had, that really would have made for a close race between the two!