I tend to agree, but that’s the scrooge in me. I don’t have to have another E-Type. If I can get a nice one at a good price (or a Mark 2, or a…) I’m interested, but if the price gets close to retail I’m out. Of course, when I’m selling on BaT I think that bidders are low balling my car…
When pressed, the seller’s restorer estimated that there were 30 man days of work left to finish it up. I view that figure with suspicion, given the motivation of the source. I’d be doing it myself, and expected to take at least twice that. My time is free, but I wasn’t about to sell myself cheap to get the car. Other bidders who don’t have the time, interest, or expertise would be counting on $100/hr. As for parts, I estimated $5K should cover it. Then you have to factor in the recently rebuilt engine and transmission. Rebuilt - great! What exactly was done to them, other than a nice coat of paint - don’t know? Never been run - Oh… When you take all the risk, there has to be a reward. I stopped bidding at $40K. If the bidding had started to stall in the 40’s I’d have kept going up to $50K. If I’d got carried away, maybe a little more, but clearly the seller had other ideas. I think the seller may live to regret passing on $62K.
-David