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Closed26 replies

How to fairly price and older pan based IM, with Soob conversion

David Stroud IM Roadster DDavid Stroud IM Roadster DOttawa Canada '83 IM Soob

Lads, we're heading out West on Wednesday to pick up my new to me, older IM Roadster. 

With a slightly sad heart given the number of smiles to us this older pan based IM has given my Wife and I since 2010, it will become sold. 

I'm hoping for some constructive ideas on a fair price to sell to an enthusiastic new owner. The car has some cosmetic faults that can easily be corrected by a low budget minded new owner and could use a few upgrades in wiring here and there etc. Many of you that have seen my Speedster know that I am not a "high end" quality enthusiast  of the Speedster idea. Building the car for functionality within low bucks and putting lots of miles on it is what I like. IM Ray jokingly notes  some as having an OCD  attitude to evaluate where you may be in and what level of fit and finish is acceptable for a given price. I'd be at the low end of that scale, but do have a fairly nice, reliable ride that has a mild to heavy case of patina in various areas. 

That said, if I wanted to, all I'd do is check the oil, throw in some tools and head down to Key West tomorrow if I felt like it. It's running that well and has been since I finally sorted the cooling system a few years back. 

The car is an older IM pan based car built in 1983 in Cali.  6,500 miles on it when I bought it in Boise, Id back in 2010.  Drove it to Ottawa, Canada with a bone stock 1600 VW engine.  I  put most of the miles on it since and therefore have the most info on it. Good condition convertible roof with plexi side windows, Soob Frankenmotor running very well with a beefed up VW tranny and 3.44: ratio. Thanks to the great but late ( RIP Amigo ) Carl Berry the car has a very nice and rare Hardtop. Plexi side windows for that too. Swap soft top to hardtop in 5 minutes. 

The car has several small but correctable known flaws. Convertible front header bow should be reinforced or replaced. Depending on what level you need, some carpet in the footwells should be replaced. Various bits of wiring could / should be done over time. Some stone chips from regular use. 

The car has four wheel drum brakes. How does one put 50 or so thousand miles like that ? Sensible driving within known limits. Upgrades from that would be recommended by many. However, the car has been across the US twice, down to Key West and back twice, Cocoa Beach two or three times and Carlisle and Wells, Maine three or four times. Front discs might cost you about $ 500 ?

I'm hoping that a younger person with a bone for a Speedster with a low budget might be able to make a reasonable offer. This car isn't for a purist to restore to a high level but it might just be a nice platform for a resourceful and energetic person to get involved. Spare windshield included.... install that and it would pass any DMV inspection as is. 

For consideration, would these prices seem realistic ? I see rolling chassis asking for $8000 here and there.   Would my Soob conversion installed and running well be worth $7000 in a runner right now ?  Hardtop $3,000 More ? Just wondering what my car should sell for in US $  Worth more than $ 15K but less than $21K I'm thinking. Ideas ? It was built and sold in the USA then imported correctly by me and could be exported / imported back into the USA with impunity. 

Any constructive info for realistic pricing would be appreciated. Just looking to make a fair deal.  Couple of pics. Leaving Wednesday for 8 days so no more pics available till after. Thanks...

David Stroud

 '92 IM Roadster D 2.3 L Air Cooled

Ottawa, Canada

 

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Last edited by David Stroud IM Roadster D
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David Stroud IM Roadster DDavid Stroud IM Roadster DOttawa Canada '83 IM Soob

Thanks, Alan. I don't think I'd swap the motors, Stan. 3.44  swingaxle rear end with the Soob now and it's a nice combo.  The Roadster has a 3.88 rear end and is IRS. I think I'd do better to sell the Speedster as is, drive and evaluate the Roadster for a while, then maybe pull and sell the engine / tranny and install a new Soob with 3.44 rear end. As I mentioned to Ed earlier, now that I know how to do a Soob conversion, just doing a new one would be the simplest way to go overall. 

Jack CrosbyJack CrosbyHot Springs, AR, VS RabyTypeIV

I know David's car and it is as reliable and bulletproof as an anvil.  It is a blast as is and has a history of trouble free road trips.  Yes it has some patina but certainly nothing like a rat rod, and could be brought to as high a level as someone might reasonably like.  If I was in the market I'd be very interested.

David, I know parting with such a ride for something else is bittersweet. 

I'd put it on ebay with no reserve.  I sold three highly collectable banjos separately for a total of around $38k a few years ago and put no reserve on them ---the bidding was insane and I got more than I thought possible.  There's something about no reserve that can create a frenzy. 

David Stroud IM Roadster DDavid Stroud IM Roadster DOttawa Canada '83 IM Soob

Thanks for the comments and advice from  all above about the purchase. Need to get up at 5:30 for the trip to Van.  Need to dodge some snow but have a good plan. Car has good Espar heater / defrost. Will keep y'all advised of the / any  progress .  

Texas a problem ?   Why ?  Same car, older paint. 

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Last edited by David Stroud IM Roadster D
MotoCarloMotoCarlo

Pricing is tricky. A difference of $1000 can make the difference in it selling and not selling. I guess it also depends on how quickly you need to sell it. I think you are thinking correctly on the price for a quick sell.

If you can sit on it ,add $5k. If you were to price it close to 30k for an early 80s pan based - although it might be worth it - , I believe many potential buyers would simply pass it by because of the stats and competition (new-ish , low miles, VS).  

So ... price? Price close to $20k to sell or  close to $30k to hope for that one right guy. IMHO
Good luck. If I were in the market, I would certainly be that 'one right guy'.

IaM-RayIaM-Ray

Well it all depends on who writes the check, money order or wire transfer but you might be right it will be somewhere between 20-25K   

You know when David is back I will have to drop in at his place to see both his speedster and his new roadster.  At least I can update you guys on what I think it is worth.  Not that I have the market cornered on valuation at all on a used pan IM. 

Last edited by IaM-Ray
Jack CrosbyJack CrosbyHot Springs, AR, VS RabyTypeIV

David---yes indeed, the hard top is a real plus but don'r downplay that Espar heater which costs about $1,500 plus more if you have someone install it.  Your car might need some patina rubbed out but it does have a Suby engine with a Stroud-engineered cooling system that works, a fitted hard top, an Espar heater and a history of rock-solid dependability.  Don't sell it short.

David Stroud IM Roadster DDavid Stroud IM Roadster DOttawa Canada '83 IM Soob
Jack Crosby posted:

David---yes indeed, the hard top is a real plus but don'r downplay that Espar heater which costs about $1,500 plus more if you have someone install it.  Your car might need some patina rubbed out but it does have a Suby engine with a Stroud-engineered cooling system that works, a fitted hard top, an Espar heater and a history of rock-solid dependability.  Don't sell it short.

Thanks Jack. No Espar heater in the Speedster....no need for one.

 

there

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