'72 Twin Cam on eBay (faux JPS?)

[Vegantune]

Reposted at $9K on a "Buy It Now" set price.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364304208114

[FourLoti]

Aaaaannnnd it's back again. $9K BIN OBO. 

Relisted a few hours after the $21K BAT sale. Coincidence?

[theLOTUSbeast]

A little lost on why this car is getting so much flak. I have 0 experience with these cars, and was heavily considering this one to get into the marque with. It looks like a total restoration project to me, which is fine. Am I missing something here, or is the concensus just that it will need a lot of work? Would love to be enlightened if there is something that should make me look for another car. Thanks a ton

[4129R]

A little lost on why this car is getting so much flak. I have 0 experience with these cars, and was heavily considering this one to get into the marque with. It looks like a total restoration project to me, which is fine. Am I missing something here, or is the concensus just that it will need a lot of work? Would love to be enlightened if there is something that should make me look for another car. Thanks a ton

It will need a complete strip down, new wiring loom, and probably a great deal more, and at the end, it will be a 1972TC, not a JPS TCS. That restricts its final value.

[MAK]

Average value for a 72 project in this condition is about $4,600.
After you spend hundreds of hours and buckets of $$$ you will end up with a terrific 1972 Lotus Europa - that only you will appreciate.  Cost wish you will be upside down forever - you'd be better served taking the money you'd spend to restore and buy an already restored car.
Famous British car restorer put it to me this way - if the car needs $10,000 and he does the work it costs $10,000 period, if you buy the car after the $10,000 has been done odds are it will only cost you $8,000.

[4129R]

Average value for a 72 project in this condition is about $4,600.
After you spend hundreds of hours and buckets of $$$ you will end up with a terrific 1972 Lotus Europa - that only you will appreciate.  Cost wish you will be upside down forever - you'd be better served taking the money you'd spend to restore and buy an already restored car.
Famous British car restorer put it to me this way - if the car needs $10,000 and he does the work it costs $10,000 period, if you buy the car after the $10,000 has been done odds are it will only cost you $8,000.

But if you are capable of doing all the mechanical/electrical work yourself, at least you will know everything vital and hard to get at later has been done, and done properly, (e.g. water pump, rubber hoses to heater, wiring loom) and the restoration will only cost you the parts if finances are limited.

[FourLoti]

Yes, that's all true, and it's the reason I "overpaid" $9,400 for my "74 - doing everything myself. But it's a 2-owner original TCS and doesn't need paint, upholstery or wiring (nor a $1,000 windshield!)

But I don't think it's as much the car as the seller's strategy and poor presentation that's a turn off. It may or may not be the current seller's doing, but the horrible paint job, fake JPS decals and badging doesn't jive with asking a strong price. And it appears to have been stored in a field for some time!

Assuming they were legit bids, he/she turned down $7,900, and then $7,300. And now wants $9k. You're a project person (like most of us) so it might be a candidate, but not unless they take a much lower offer. It may take time, but there are probably better ones out there.

Ron

[4129R]

I paid $10,000 for a TC basket case, in error.

It was attacked by severe metal worm.

It is now lovely, but still a 1972 TC.

[theLOTUSbeast]

Just saw these responses, really appreciate the insight guys! I'll certainly have a go at it if we can meet at a number that makes a little more sense.

[Richard48Y]

Before jumping into a car with such, umm, odd character you may want to take a look at a couple further north that I posted in the last couple of days.
A bit more money but may also be a lot less work and associated expense?

[FourLoti]

Aaaand, it's gone!

No longer on eBay, and doesn't show up on Sold or Completed lists. It was a 30-day auction so he must have just pulled it or sold it elsewhere.

Ron