Selling backdated car, replace CIS with PMO's?
 

Hello all, it's been ages since I have posted here. Life got crazy with a move, then not moving, then job change, etc...

The time has come for me to sell my 73 RS Lightweight replica. The car was built from an 80SC by TRE Motorsports and has the 3.0 CIS motor. The car is very special and capable, and has many upgrades.

However, I do not know that I'll get the most bang for the buck trying to sell such a cool and modified car with a stock motor. I think I'll attract a wider audience and probably a higher selling price if I switch to PMO's.

This will make the car more period correct all the way around an in the event the future owner wants to club race, the carbs would provide at lease a few more ponies to play in the non-stock classes.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks
-Brad

nothing non-period correct about CIS on a 73. Well a 73.5 anyways. If anything it's closer in spirit to MFI than carbs.

PMO's would be way cool but i'm not so sure you'd get an extra $3k or so out of the car.

Let the buyer do it if they want. You'll pay approx $3500 for the PMOs + install costs (if you don't do it yourself). I also think an 80SC has vacuum advance, so you may have to do some work on the distributor. What about exhaust? Do you have headers or SSIs? Stock SC exhaust will not be so good with carbs. So, (IMO) it's only really worthwhile if the upgrade adds at least 10% to the selling price over the cost of the parts and labor.

Thanks for the replies.

I think I'll probably have to put some $$ into getting the motor completely dialed in with CIS as it is.

As for exhaust, I've got SSI's and a Sport muffler.

As for labor, I'd probably do my own work and send the dizzy out for re-curve.

Brad,
so did you move?

I've offered similar advice to another friend. I think any money you spend on the car, especially by a professional shop, is wasted. Your return would be lucky at $0.50 for every $1 spent. Now if something is catastrophically wrong, to get reasonable market value you probably need to make a repair.

That said, seems like these things do not garner too much more than the sum of the parts, even though assembly can be the bulk of the costs.

Do what another friend did: try to get it in Excellence. I think the value will increase a bit.

And to comment on your initial question, I don't think you'll even gain $2k by adding PMOs.

What do you think it is worth?

Sad to see this post, by the way.
Doug

In California I would think it may lower the value because it wouldn't pass smog with PMO's...

Thanks again all.

Doug, good to hear from you. Man, it's been crazy for sure. Our house in Colorado did not sell and it came time for school to start, so it's off the market. However, I am keeping my job headquartered in Agoura Hills and working remotely, gotta love the Tech sector :) Thanks for your thoughts, I'll just dial in the motor the way it is.

Shawn, you bring up an excellent point. The car is currently registered as a "collector" through 2011 here in Colorado, where we have just repealed smog laws in my County :)

Brad, I don't think you can issue a post about a car that is possibly for sale without including some nice pics. :D

And personally, I'd like to hear more about the car if you get a moment.

As requested :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1188342193.jpg

As suggested, I'd say let the buyer do it, and price your car accordingly.

Some unsolicited words about Brad's car:
With the light weight of the conversion, this car is very responsive to throttle response, handles very well, and is fast (feels like a lightweight wong-chipped 3.2 Carrera). Kevin at Automotive Innovations did an outstanding job for us with the conversion , fitting the parts just right, and getting the Viper green finish to really shine .
Someone is going to get a really fun toy!

Beautiful! Is there a write-up of the car somewhere and/or some more pics online? (I saw a couple in the TREMotorsports gallery). I've been bitten by the retro-mod bug recently and this type of car is something I'd love to have some day (keep me in mind when you put it up for sale).

I think it'll appeal to a greater street car audience with a reliable stock SC engine.

My first impression would be that it isn't a beat track car.

A hot rod guy would start thinking of his dream engine in a great body.

Brad,

Sorry to hear you are selling this car. I remember it at the GGR autocrosses when it was just a plain old black SC!

I am with Shawn, you will want to keep your CA market and keep it to where it is fairly easily smog-able here. SSI can be overcome, but carbs would do it in. Also, carbs alone make little sense, if you wouldn't do pistons and cams as well. It never pays to dump money into a car you are selling.

I am very interested to see what the asking price for this car will be! So, who is the proud guy in the pic? ;)

George