'74 TCS FS on eBay - rough

[FourLoti]

Could be a good project for someone, but without any photos of chassis or engine, pretty risky, IMO. Love what they did with the dash and console 

Ron

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196302482790?itmmeta=01HSDWKHNVM1W4TWSWT76WCVM4&hash=item2db48a2d66%3Ag%3A8eIAAOSwndZl9Jbh&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwPHgpoM9ut67AyPtLvOmQaq%2BCudLjv7oHCIm4P3E7ioK9Ow1%2FdXUWb41qCDYYWojp3tNnQjKnXM5zGJah5JuehUkki%2B%2BZtXw2Wk8tsSfDvkf5OdrN8pk%2Fc0Cf%2Br%2BO8PDWIXp21cXDgrCbarVR1QmzL6mEvbKEfD9CAyGQoiDnv7qcA4UIz5RHaMGbhzqcKAi1v1xgYh4O1LUtRwU21oOrHpsPh9oB6SLxmM87CV25UNx2gCFCxA2HjyD8MI%2BLJalGQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4abzrzLYw&LH_ItemCondition=3000%7C1000%7C2500

[BDA]

The seller says that the fiberglass is “starting to chip and peel off.” I think that is highly unlikely. I wouldn’t be concerned about the paint since it’s a given that it needs to be repainted but I agree that the frame is a concern. At 92K miles, the engine and tranny certainly need a rebuild. It’s not the worst restoration candidate I’ve seen but I don’t think I’d pay a whole lot more than the current $5000 price.

[FourLoti]

Agree, my car sat for 25 years and didn't manage to lose either fuel tank! And there's got to be more of a story about the instruments and switches. Mass wiring meltdown? Wannabe racecar? Lost ignition key for sure. And then there's the wrong mirrors and rear badge. Not to mention the "high tech", but useless, air scoop over the carbs! As I said, there's more to the story here.

[Bryan Boyle]

IMHO, what it's worth is what the starting price is...and that's being generous (thought, there is that pile of parts in OH that the seller wants 4500 for, without an engine, roached frame, and rusting away seat pans...there's one every minute).

My take: I've spent that amount when I was building 693R on a car just to break it up (I have a collection of windshield and plenum plates...turned the titles in as destroyed).  If I had the space...I'd buy it just to send the body bits off for refinishing and swap out what I have now when done.  The VIN travels with the frame, not the shell...

As for the interior...nothing there except  (maybe) the seats.  Frame?  You'd tell what's what when you pulled the shell.  Yeah, a lot of work, but in pieces, it's worth 2x (at a minimum, assuming the block and head are saveable.  1800 with doug over in Kingstown RI to rebuild...and the condition of the harness does not scare me.

So, what's it worth?  5K is strong money, and not much of a gamble if you decide to break it up.  That's what many suggested when I discovered in april 07 that Ron Zito had sold me a wreck...but, 4 months later, was driving that serial number around the block...remember, BDA?

[BDA]

I've seen several strange scoop type alterations to the engine cover - all of them ugly and ill advised.

You brought up some good points and a new wiring harness might be another part of an eventual restoration. That's a $700 item from britishwiring.com.

ed: I hadn't remembered the Zito affair. It reminds me of a situation a body shop owner told me. He had a wrecked Porsche that somebody wanted badly to buy but the owner knew he just wanted it for the VIN plates so he kept it.

[4129R]

IMHO $5k is about right.

It has been badly altered from standard. What other strange mods lie beneath?

Good luck to whoever buys it.

[berni29]

Hi

It's a car you would need to see in person for sure. Its also badly presented in the advert, perhaps the seller would add engine photos to the listing if they were requested.

The seats look good. If the car is basically sound and its going to come apart in any case (for restoration) maybe its a good starting point?

Berni

[dakazman]

  What , No fuel tank filler or rear window... , rugs, facia, crashpad, front windscreen trim, missing eyeballs, sliding controls and more. .
Probably a crash victim, with those paint defects.  Wiring another concern.
  Glad the engine wasn't pictured.
 Dakazman

[berni29]

Hi

Engine now pictured! Starting to look more reasonable. Shame shipping is so expensive.

Berni

[FourLoti]

I messaged him early on suggesting more photos. Now I see why he initially skipped the engine! Doubt that the newspapers stuck in the intakes offered much protection over the past six years. And no telling what the deal is with the breather on top of the secondary TB. Or the through the firewall throttle or choke cable. And with all the money spent on parts back then, he must have had none left for a fuel filter?

But, it did get a gas strut engine lid conversion at some time. FWIW.

Ron

[Bud]

Having just gone thru this with my 4170R that was stored in a barn rafter for almost 25 years and was completely original, I estimate that it would take a minimum of 5-7 years to complete this project given the amount of money that it would take to restore it but then there is always a dreamer who figures it isn't all that bad.
My advice....buy one that is running and save many years of frustration

[berni29]

Hi Bud

You make some good points, but is it not fun getting to know every part of the car? I do agree that starting with something that is not completely derelict is helpful.

All the best

Berni

[4129R]

But, it did get a gas strut engine lid conversion at some time.

Later cars had that fitted as standard, and that is the original Lotus factory fitting.

But IMHO that is a horrible car with many stupid modifications.

[Richard48Y]

Let the auction run out, then make a fair offer.

[dakazman]

Hi Bud

You make some good points, but is it not fun getting to know every part of the car? I do agree that starting with something that is not completely derelict is helpful.

All the best

Berni

   Bernie , you made me laugh. THANKS
  Dakazman