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 Posted: Nov 19, 2014 01:58PM
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US

It is a wonderful story, I am now looking forward to getting to know her all over again Laughing

 Posted: Nov 12, 2014 08:08AM
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US

Wonderful end to the "story!"

 Posted: Nov 12, 2014 07:06AM
 Edited:  Nov 12, 2014 07:08AM
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US

I thought I would add/ update this thread:

I have owned many cars and motorcycles in my life, 100+, no joke.  Many have come and gone without any thought.  but a few (maybe 3) have stuck in my heart and I have deeply regretted selling them.  One in particular was my 1968 Riley Elf.  A very rare car from New Zealand. It was a really solid nice driving car when I had it. 

I sold it to a man in NJ (Ian) and he rather quickly sold it to another man in NJ (Mike).  Mike invested thousands of dollars into my old Elf and what an amazing restoration he did.  She has won MANY prestigious awards.

I had never done this before but I was determined to buy my Elf back.  Well, 3 + years later and I have my Elf back! 

I thank Mike for all the wonderful work he did to Olive.  Since getting her back I have done more to Olive including a complete undercarriage painting and detail with a new exhaust system and I had the steering wheel completely restored to mention a few things!

I am proud to own her once again!

 Posted: May 7, 2014 02:29AM
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MiniMike, That is EXACTLY what I am doing now. Thanks.

 Posted: May 6, 2014 03:43PM
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US

What Alex said. I'd also suggest driving it with a for sale sign on it. Use it as often as you can and enjoy the thing.

 

 Posted: May 6, 2014 01:45PM
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US

Point well taken, Alex.

 Posted: May 6, 2014 12:25PM
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Well put Alex.

"It's a good day when you wake up with a Woody!"
 Posted: May 6, 2014 11:55AM
 Edited:  May 6, 2014 10:46PM
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GB

Back in 2003 I sold one of my Elfs. 
It was an utterly original car, unrestored and perfect.  I was driving it when I met Suzy, and we drove it when we got married.  At the time I sold it, it may well have been the most expensive Elf in North America.

The person I sold it to took out the original 998 and installed an automatic 1275.  The twin leading shoe brakes were replaced with S discs.  The unmolested rear seat had child seats added to it.

I don't mind a bit as my journey with the car had ended, and theirs was beginning.
The changes turned a holiday car with sentimental attachment into a practical family daily driver.

You have had your journey with your car, drifting away from factory standard and personalising it as you see fit, so don't panic if the next owner does the same thing.
The next owner may take your solid base and add a 1380 turbo with air suspension... it doesn't matter at all as you've had your go and pssed the car on.

I still think you'd enjoy driving it more than selling it, but unless you embark on a ridiculous road trip you'll never know.
Heck, you're not going to devalue it by adding a few more miles...

 

edit:  Got the date wrong...only my wedding anniversay...nothing important or owt...

 Posted: May 6, 2014 05:07AM
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Meb,

That is a concern of mine. In some ways, it would be nice to see it once in a while. But IF I see it and it has been abused, or modified from its original build specs, after all the research and time spent getting back to that point, it would indeed be...well...unpleasant and upsetting.

So, I think I would rather see it go to someone a distance away.

All of us at one time or another have owned a car or something that we regret selling down the road. We shall see what happens.

 Posted: May 6, 2014 04:59AM
meb
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Not meaning to pile on, but I have a feeling that if this is how you feel about Olive now you probably wouldn't want to come across the Elf in the future.

Years ago I sold a house where I had restored the 50 year old oak flooring to its natural color. A week after closing I had to return something to the new owner. On being let in I saw that they were in the process of staining the floors with a walnut stain, It broke my heart.  

DR MINI(Larry H) had an original low-mileage MKII Cooper S in either Sandy or El Paso Beige. He sold it to someone local to him. About 2 years later I saw it in Princeton NJ. It had been painted Red; and had a wooden dash, Mountney steering wheel, Mini Special arches, etc... fitted. A year later it was for sale.

Goodluck with the sale and hope Olive goes far far away. 

 Posted: May 6, 2014 02:30AM
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US

Red Riley, I have alot of spare parts now, but unfortunately no overriders.

MiniEstate, Thanks for your input. Its appreciated.

 Posted: May 5, 2014 08:57PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miniestate
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex

...just drive her then !

You'll never get back what you've spent - Minis are not an investment opportunity, they are just a very good way of spending money - so enjoy the fruits of your labours and instead of taking a bath on what you've achieved, just ride around in a superb car.

I have to disagree with you Alex, that "you'll never get back what you've spent- Minis are not an investment opportunity". Out of the (12) MKI Minis that I've owned, I can honestly say that I have never lost money on a single Classic. I have in the very least broke even, and in some instances I have made a modest profit. I am not a 'Car Salesman'. Every Mini I purchased was with the intent of long term ownership and for sheer enjoyment, (and every Mini I owned delivered just that!) I owned my last Classic for almost ten years.     Mini Estate

Aloha Mike!

You don't need to make excuses to anyone for an absolutely stunning Elf restoration my friend! You must remember me. I was in contact with you when you first purchased this Elf and I believe I provided you with some detailing info. for your Mini Cabrio and shared some photos with you of a  gorgeous simulated ostridge interior in my friends Elf. Sorry to hear you have to sell. Just for the record for the rest of the readers on here, Mike's Mini's are absolute cream puff Concours' de Elegance automobiles. He shouldn't be made to feel that he needs to make any apologies, or that 19K is an unrealistic price. His Riley Elf and Mini Cabrio are as fine as they come. Actually Mike, (and please take this as a compliment), if you ever decide to sell your Cabrio, please get ahold of me first OK!!! Good luck on the sale of the Elf!   Mini Estate

"It's a good day when you wake up with a Woody!"
 Posted: May 5, 2014 05:57PM
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US
Quote:
Originally Posted by captain61

Dimitris, I DO understand what you are saying. 

And I have refurbished minis too. But all those parts are basically VERY easy to obtain and very reasonable for the most part. Whenever I went to Mini Meets it was rare to see a Riley Elf or a Wolseley Hornet RESTORED. Most were drivers or conversions. I wanted to restore the Elf. NOW I KNOW WHY THERE AREN'T MANY RESTORED ELVES AND HORNETS!! I know that now FIRST HAND!

For example, a simple bumper overrider IF YOU CAN FIND ONE can bring as much as $125 EACH!! I had to get 3 complete sets of wheel trims/hubcaps in order to find 4 that were presentable! I had to get buy two grills in order to piece together one presentable one. The Riley grill badge? Most are in sad condition with some or most of the enamel chipped out of it. I finally got a perfect one, and it ended up being $100 PLUS SHIPPING!! And none of those were bought from sellers in the USA. So, the time, effort, shipping, etc to get every bit, was difficult and expensive.

I am just having a hard time dealing with the whole thing now that it is done. 

So now you have some spare parts!Laughing

Got any extra overriders?Tongue Out

 Posted: May 5, 2014 03:54PM
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Dimitris,

THAT is my thinking....EXACTLY!

 Posted: May 5, 2014 03:47PM
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GR

Mike its up to you!! its more about character than car restoration at this point! Personally i wouldnt keep anything close, that makes me feel anxious about enjoying it!! whether if is a car a girlfriend, a hobby anything..

 Posted: May 5, 2014 03:36PM
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US

Dimitris, I DO understand what you are saying. 

And I have refurbished minis too. But all those parts are basically VERY easy to obtain and very reasonable for the most part. Whenever I went to Mini Meets it was rare to see a Riley Elf or a Wolseley Hornet RESTORED. Most were drivers or conversions. I wanted to restore the Elf. NOW I KNOW WHY THERE AREN'T MANY RESTORED ELVES AND HORNETS!! I know that now FIRST HAND!

For example, a simple bumper overrider IF YOU CAN FIND ONE can bring as much as $125 EACH!! I had to get 3 complete sets of wheel trims/hubcaps in order to find 4 that were presentable! I had to get buy two grills in order to piece together one presentable one. The Riley grill badge? Most are in sad condition with some or most of the enamel chipped out of it. I finally got a perfect one, and it ended up being $100 PLUS SHIPPING!! And none of those were bought from sellers in the USA. So, the time, effort, shipping, etc to get every bit, was difficult and expensive.

I am just having a hard time dealing with the whole thing now that it is done. 

 Posted: May 5, 2014 03:16PM
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GR

Mike i understand that Riley parts are pain the ar%$ to find!! but in the end the purpose of any restoration IMHO is to enjoy the final product! If its going to drive you nuts and keep you stressful, i think its better to let go! just my two euro cents!

 Posted: May 5, 2014 03:04PM
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US

The problem with most of you that simply tell me to DRIVE the car, is that most of you have no idea how difficult it is to find simple body, trim and chrome bits to replace anything that happens to get damaged while using it. It was literally a full time job for over a year!!! SO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT...and love for the car went into the restoration that its not that easy to simply say that I will drive it and not worry about what may happen to it while using it. 

I have...and will admit again that I fell into the trap of making the commitment to restore the car to this level, but now that I have done it, it has become a "monument" in my opinion....which is disappointing. (because to me, its no longer a car that I can drive and enjoy.) Those of you that are fortunate enough not to have fallen into "the trap" can't possibly understand. Brian, you have done an amazing job on "Kreacher".  I give you alot of KUDOS for doing that and being able to drive it.

Sorry about my rant...but I am upset that I got myself into this predicament.

 Posted: May 5, 2014 02:39PM
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Brian,

I agree with you AND Alex. But since I have two other minis, one has to go. The Elf I figured would be more unique and desireable for buyers.

 

 Posted: May 5, 2014 02:18PM
 Edited:  May 5, 2014 02:19PM
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US

I have to agree with Alex. I spent WAY more on Kreacher than any sane person would have done, with the intention to enjoy the beast all the way to the grave. Just like a new car, the depreciation began the moment I "drove it off the lot", and I depreciate the bejeebers out of it every time I bury the throttle and smoke the tires, because that's why I spent the money. It's your car, built by you, to your specifications, just like a hand-built Rolls. So drive it, carefully if that's your thing, and treat it like a Rolls, but don't be afraid of scratching it or getting the carpets dirty just because it cost you a wad of money. You can't take it with you. That's my two cents. But in the end, it's your car, do what feels right to you.

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