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New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:35 pm
by H8OAG
After a few weeks of internet research and appraisement trips, I have found a new shed.
I ended up putting a wanted AD on Gumtree in the vain hope of flushing out someone who hasn't figured what the market pricing is on the S1.
After a couple of weeks I get a phone call from Jon who states he has a car that might be of interest.....and he might be persuaded to sell.

He has a 99 111S with 29k miles that he bought new from a dealer in Devon
It has been in his garage since 2005 without use apart from a tentative MOT trip in 2015 where it passed without advisories.
(He also changed cam belt and water pump)
He also had to get lifted out of the vehicle......he is 75 yrs old.......and that was the last time he drove it.

I asked him what value he place on the car.........and he refused to discuss money ......unless I was face to face appraising the car.

Here we go ........

Where is the car?
John O' Groats

Really!!

Fast forward to yesterday with the current Mrs Boag being duped into a semi NC500 road trip......with the promise of a nice hotel and meal

Jon is a very secretive character and will not reveal his address until we are 50 miles from JOG

We arrive at a very large house overlooking the sea and Orkney.....with views of the "Old Man of Hoy"

Electric garage opens to reveal a very sad looking 111s......in as much as it literally has been left covered in dust/dirt of 12 years

After 30 mins of poking about trying to find major issues to drive price down......I give up and ask him for his price
He wants £20k......and states if the advertised the car he would get a near bid.
I shook his hand and walked to the car and told him I was heading to Crieff.
He asked what my price was ........I stated £10K given that the car could easily burn £2-3k on bushes/shockers/rad/discs/pads/tyres

One hour later I am doing a BACS transfer for far too much money........but significantly less than his £20k

Jon was something "big" in Austin Rover/MG
The car was serviced by his "men".........no fookin stamps in the service book

So .......off down the road to Dornoch for an overnight stop in the Guards Pink (Fcuk you Shug!) Lotus

The car started easily enough
All fluid levels were fine
Brakes were rusted .......and non existent

Left foot braking ensued....... to glaze the discs before hitting the main road

The hairpins at Berriedale did provide a few sphincter twitching moments!!

Arrived safely at Dornoch for a fab Groupon deal for D,B&B.........don't tell the current Mrs Boag

The car drives well
Temp at 72 degrees F
Super noisy with the Hard Top and sports Exhaust

Today

I drive down to Crieff without issue.....arrive at midday
A hoot to be in an Elise again ......for all its flaws......it still feels the real deal !
Car now sits awaiting MOT
My priority is to get it roadworthy first..... and the other stuff which will undoubtedly need done.......will be in the medium to longer term

My wallet will take a hit .....but I will endeavour to make this one a keeper

:cheers

ImageImage

Re: New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:23 pm
by c8rkh
Looks lovely. Congratulations on the new family addition :) Guards Pink is a stunning colour. Enjoy ;)

Re: New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:30 pm
by rossybee
Great story Iain.

It wasn't John Towers by any chance? He's quite possibly a wanted man, being part of the MG Rover "four" :shock:

But then I could be well wide of the mark...

Re: New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:35 pm
by j2 lot
8) there can't be many genuine original unmolested cars about. It might need some tlc to fettle the misuse issues but you might have bagged a bargain. :thumbsup

Re: New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:06 pm
by H8OAG
rossybee wrote:Great story Iain.

It wasn't John Towers by any chance? He's quite possibly a wanted man, being part of the MG Rover "four" :shock:

But then I could be well wide of the mark...
Could well be Ross......I forgot about them.........he just had a very grumpy/cynical view on all subject matter...which was in stark contrast to his fab house/staggering views

He did have a motorhome though ..........which I always associate with Kiddie Fiddlers :D



:cheers

Re: New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:21 pm
by renmure
That looks nice.
Far less pink than it looked on FaceBook. ;)

Re: New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:03 pm
by H8OAG
renmure wrote:That looks nice.
Far less pink than it looked on FaceBook. ;)
Calypso Red with black leather Jim

:cheers

Re: New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:14 pm
by Kinger
Looks great Ian. 111s probably one of the best, I loved mine.
H8OAG wrote:
rossybee wrote: He did have a motorhome though ..........which I always associate with Kiddie Fiddlers :D
:cheers
That can't be right, Tut used to have a motorhome. :damnfunny :damnfunny

Re: New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:56 pm
by tut
Thanks Graham.

Great story Iain, but what the fcuk are you doing dealing with a mad 75 year old nutter at the other end of the world? There really are some weirdos knocking around. £20K, you should have thrown a match on it, or preferably him. Pleased to see that you did not give in though and hope that it turns out to be a sound car.

tut

New Shed

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:12 pm
by campbell
H8OAG wrote:
Fast forward to yesterday with the current Mrs Boag being duped into a semi
Left yourself wide open to that, Old Bean.

Anyways. The car's the star. Great barn find and assuming you got it for £12k tops, it's not going to be a poor choice even with £2k of refresh thrown at it.

You must do a "build thread" though. This will help prove (or refute) the theory that a low mileage unmolested but underused S1 is a bigger risk than a leggy but frequently maintained one.

Knockers on Saturday then? The track, I mean...

:cheers

New Shed

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:29 am
by Sanjøy
Very jealous. Am still in year one sans Lotus after 16 years. Quick detail and that car will be Canary Wharf Guards by the end of the day.

Re: New Shed

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:56 am
by pete
An excellent tale and I'#ve never seen one in that colour before...

Loved our 111S.

Re: New Shed

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 1:48 am
by campbell
The first ever customer S1 was red.

Re: New Shed

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 4:11 am
by Dark
campbell wrote:The first ever customer S1 was red.
Best colour IMHO :)

Re: New Shed

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 7:09 am
by Graham C
Looks great!


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