Changing paint / interior color affect value?

C

catcollector

Silver forum user
CAT Member
Messages
56
Being new to tigers I was wondering how changing original paint or interior colors affect value

All the other cars I have restored changing original colors can reduce values by as much as 25%

I have looked at 2 tigers for sale but both have different colors from their vin color codes

Another had an interior color change

They were nice, just not original

Thoughts?

Thanks
 
Tigers owners are an odd group.... (me included) I think often we fall into a similar mentality to deTomaso owners... we care about improving the shortcomings of a great fun car and adding performance. Many people like upgrading parts to make the car handle and go better... in period lots of bolt on goodies were available, some bling,some performance and some external aesthetic... some to help mechanical issues ... all these are still welcome.

Many people like hidden upgrades... stuff that makes the cars better to drive but still look stock.. same goes for interiors..lots of people add woolen carpet, leather interior and glovebox doors to dashes. This often adds value rather than removes it.

There has also now been a push to get the cars more "correct" as the shortcomings are seen as somewhat of a charm... so some cars are now going back to factory spec.

I think overall unless you are a concourse kind of guy changes dont hurt value if they are tasteful. If the interior is a nice colour.. same with exterior there is enough diversity in the tiger market that it wont hurt.
 
Ballpark

http://teae.org/concours-rules-and-guidelines/


Figure if you pick a trendy color it may offset and limit your buyers. It would be really easy to make the fur stand up to mention nicknames of the stock colors, plain Jane and boring come to mind. How about the all time favorite of resale red.

Figure with a 8 to 10 grand paint job it could be close to your 25%
 
Potential

The Tiger was introduced in the muscle car era. That said the factory was quite conservative with only the 260 2b engine installed at the factory. Speed shops and the Cobra, SA based LAT options provided Rootes dealers and any owner a road to more power. Buyers in the 60's and through to today were likely to upgrade engines and brakes for performance or just to make them more satisfying to drive.

That is quite different from other makes of British cars sold in the same time period which might have no market for modified or cars altered from stock.

Frankly IMHO the Roots red and forest green, which were popular are not attractive next to a Ferrari red or a Jag's BRG!

I guess as the prices rise more Tigers will be bought for investment rather than to drive regularly. Originality is probably going to become more of a $factor$ than it has been.

Rick
 
Perhaps Not

catcollector said:
Being new to tigers I was wondering how changing original paint or interior colors affect value

All the other cars I have restored changing original colors can reduce values by as much as 25%

I have looked at 2 tigers for sale but both have different colors from their vin color codes

Another had an interior color change

They were nice, just not original

Thoughts?

Thanks
Click to expand...

There's a general feeling that as long as it was/is a Tiger color in the first place, a change is OK. Purists will groan, yes. Some Tiger colors were just flat butt ugly, like the very last MK II wearing puke green!! Then there's the forever debate about what shade is real BRG? In the end, it's a mongrel cur, so play with it as you see fit. We bought ole' #78 from new and were changing things before the first week was up . . . . . .2-cents and a nod.
 
My car is originally code 58 (dark blue) with a most likely black interior--did not excite me. I went code 100 (med blue) and a tan interior---stands out much better now. I was not going for concourse, I wanted fun and drivable. I think the right combo could increase the value to guys like me that want an enjoyable car to drive and occasionally show. I am not saying showing a car at "bone stock shows" is bad--just not my thing anymore. Hopefully this makes sense.
 
3 Cents

When I did my car, I went back to the original color, which was black. (it was red when I bought it). I did this because I think Tigers look great in black, not because the color "had to be original." I narrowed the possible colors down to a very short list.

Likewise with some mechanical upgrades: 1" front sway bar, 15" Panasports, 1.25" lowering blocks, Hurst linkage, pretty warm 302, alternator, electronic ignition, Konis all around, and a few other items. Cosmetically, I've got a bit of bling here and there including a Moto-Lita Cobra-style wheel with polished horn button, and some shiny bits in the engine compartment, and the replacement wood dash is complete with cubby door. Carpets are wool, top is black canvas. I had to have the LAT style hood (CAT repro) and I fit the 3 scoops with black expanded metal mesh which finished it off nicely.

I wanted a car which was in the spirit of original, but which had the upgrades mentioned above. I also don't run the grille badge bar and bumperettes because I think the car looks a bit more aggressive that way.

Our Tiger looks and handles better than "original." Is it worth less because of it?

I don't know and really don't care. It's insured for 75k agreed value so someone else besides me figures it's worth a few bux.

Mr. King and others have clearly said what kind of car the Tiger is to most owners and I heartily concur.

If I were to do it all over again, what I 'd do differently: I'd likely go with a wide-ratio gearbox if not a 5-speed, and an even much rowdier engine. :) And possibly midnight blue paint with butterscotch leather interior. Possibly.
 
Everybody posting above me said it all quite well. I can't disagree with anything said.
Catcollector - As you are probably coming to realize, Tiger owners are a pretty unique group. We are pretty much of the attitude "It's your car, do what ever YOU want with it" - Keep it bone stock, personalize it to suit your taste, rebuild the entire car the way you think Rootes should have done it in the first place.

I've got one Tiger that I kept stock for 15 years stock (mostly because all my money went to just keeping the damn thing running as my daily driver). The next 10 years it transformed into a personalized car. Over the past 5 years it would be considered modified by most people. I've got another Tiger that will be mildly personalized by the time it is finished being restored.

Is my MK I less valuable because it is "Modified"? Will my MK II be less valuable if I personalize it (judging by the latest auction - NO)?
The value of the cars really doesn't mean anything to me (aside from the insurance coverage). Like the majority of Tiger owners - my cars are not for sale - never will be while I'm still here. When I'm gone my sons will have my cars and they can do what ever THEY want to do with them.
John
 
Having been a Tiger owner for a short time but intimately familiar with car collecting I need to say that money makes people predictable. Do what makes you happy but understand that choices that are not easily reversible such as changing color are going to make someone very unhappy in 10 to 20 years. I have seen it happen in the Porsche, Mercedes and Ferrari world with cars that are ahead of the Tiger on the collect-ability curve. Correct Tigers, even the MK1's will become solid six figure cars soon. I am certain that $250K-$450K is what we will see for MK1's -MK11's before I am gone.

So enjoy them and drive them every week, change them if it makes you happy but if you are concerned about value be careful. Money makes people predictable!
 
"changes dont hurt value if they are tasteful."

This is totally subjective to the individual doing the change. I'm sure we have all seen cars that according to the owner have been "improved" but to you, they are hideous. In any other marque originallity is prized and modded cars loose value.
 
dude234 said:
"changes dont hurt value if they are tasteful."

This is totally subjective to the individual doing the change. I'm sure we have all seen cars that according to the owner have been "improved" but to you, they are hideous. In any other marque originallity is prized and modded cars loose value.
Click to expand...

In most other marques this is true... but as i mentioned there are certain marques where the cars had fundamental flaws (generally due to lack of development) where well modified cars bring strong values that can equal those of a stock car. The mods are generally in the form of approved or well regarded upgrades.. think willwoods brake kits, dales ackerman fix, the new non mod 5 speed. These all add value to those who drive the cars... and tiger guys are often guys who buy them to have fun in them.

"dude" you have always had quite polemic opinions on the cars... but funnily enough never seem to disclose who you are, or if indeed you own a tiger... maybe yours is modded beyond what the rest of us might find tasteful and you don't want to share? :eek:
 
I've seen plenty of Ferrari's and Porsche's with color changes (done well, period correct color) command prices equal to original color cars. Mostly things like 275's, 365's, 356's, 911's. Historically significant cars, I believe, fall into another category and replicating a specific paint scheme, whether original or "as raced" is important. Ultimately, I think certain Tigers in certain oem colors will be worth more if a dead accurate repaint is done (or, better yet, original paint in presentable condition). But, some of the oem Tiger colors are so uninspiring that I wonder if the car will get a higher price with a color change...
 
323692_4248105406517_1912692342_o.jpg


Rolled off the assembly line white.....not so much now.
 
Thanks for all the replies!

I have been looking for a tiger for several years, just had to finish my other project cars before I could justify another purchase.

What I have learned is I don't want any more project cars. Also, I would like to find a tiger to keep. Not really thinking about resale at this time. But, as we all know any classic car has to be looked at as an investment.

I restored several 1967 gto convertibles and now cant seem to be able to sell either, my choice. Both are very nice cars I tried to restore to factory specs. The gto crowd is just as critical as the tiger crowd. Originality is what drives the values. I view them as works of art.

I was drawn to the gto's like I am drawn to the tiger, just something about them that pushes all the buttons.

With the rising values of tigers, I want to make a smart purchase in hopes of someday my family will say "Hey maybe dad wasn't as dumb as he looked when he kept telling mom, trust me honey, they are an investment" ;)
 
"michael king" All cars made 50+ years ago have fundamental flaws compared to cars built today. Check out a 1960's notch back Mustang trunk floor. You will see that the trunk floor is the top of the gas tank with no fire barrier to the interior other than the back of the rear seat. Of course any car is your property and can be modified as much as you like.


As far as ""dude" you have always had quite polemic opinions on the cars"" is concerned, it seems everyone has opinions on cars, don't they?

All you need to know about me can be seen on the facebook Sunbeam Tiger group page which I created.:D
 
value

dude,
since you're so close make the trip to the TE/AE united next month and you'll see an array of rootes cars that are close to original and also cars with tasteful mods. you'll also meet owners with varied ideas about how the cars should be. considering the distance involved you should make it in three hours if you drive your tiger.
 
I am coming out of the Oldsmobile 442 market with considerable experience in those cars. I know or know of all the big collectors of muscle cars. The end value in a Tiger is related to many factors. With tigers a owner history is nice, one of the more desirable original colors is nice, being able to show it was not a patchwork car is nice, original vin plate and rivets is nice (this will become a must for the highest value cars), trans and rear that are original to car car is nice. Highest value cars will ultimately be racing history cars, restored mk2's, restored mkI's, mk!a's, nicely modified cars, original cars and finally the cars built to taste of the owners then not so well done cars. I know the guys in the hi dollar muscle car market and they have now noticed our Tigers. I have mentioned a few cars. They already know about the vin tags and want mostly mk2s right now. Once they all get theirs, the market will change a bit back to reality. $210 for these guys is nothing but when they all get their Tigers then they will change hands a bit and things will settle down. Not very likely my beater mk1a will every get in a bidding war. These guys want top quality cars. So pick a good one and hold on for a while. My Oldsmobile went into a $100+ million dollar car collection. Lee
 
beam,

Thank you for the invitation. And yes, I've seen many dead stock and modified Sunbeams ( Alpines and Tigers) , in the many shows I've been to over the years.

Do you know what question I get asked the most when I drive my Tiger? "What kind of MG is that?"
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top