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Enjoy.
I like the tyres though. They look a bit like the pictures from Le Mans. Anybody know the maker and spec?
Oliver
Oliver, its same in UK. Many historic series require the cross ply tyres, given the number of historics on 13 you will find some easilyTrouble is is I'm in the UK...
Jerry,Bob, Re boot lid. These were highly professional photos taken for the 2020 RM Sothbey's Scottsdale auction. Difficult to think the RM Sotheby's team would have made such an amateur mistake. I will be able to check your theory when I see #55 in a couple weeks.
One thing I have recently been obsessed about in restoring my original #41 Sebring Alpine is the dash color. #55 appears to have the correct color.
View attachment 18385
I guess the difference is whether you're a collector or a flipper. The wife and I have a collection of Sunbeams and have spent a lot of money to do the restorations. As a collector my cars are not for sale and for that reason we have no concern about the dollar value needed to make the car what the wife and I want since the cars are not investments.Originality commands a premium in the vintage automobile market. A close example of this is what Steven Alcala accomplished. We all know the high quality of craftsmanship he displays from the products he has done over the years (#9 Lister Le Mans Tiger as a great example).
With the 1962 #41 tribute Sebring Alpine (residing at the Thunder Dome museum in Washington State) Alcala did a magnificent job. Alcala's exquisite restoration of the 1962 #43 original Sebring Alpine (brother to my original #41) brings us to a comparison of current market values. The tribute #41 brought $19,000 at auction two years ago. The original #43 should bring a serious $100,000 plus in today's market. This analysis is based on my recent first hand knowledge. Last year a restored 1962 Factory Works Sebring MG (with a high quality restoration) sold privately for $250,000. This is the same MG as well as all of the MGs, Triumphs, etc my original 1962 #41 Sebring Alpine beat and took 3rd in class (Abarth Porches were 1&2) with Peter Harper/Peter Proctor driving. The tribute, replica, re-bodied, #55 NART Harrington Alpine should have the same value as any tribute car about 10 to 30% of an original (depending on quality of work and the marques overall demand). This makes auctioning the tribute #55 the only option for the current owner to make a sale to try and regain his original investment (around $130,000). Knowledgeable collectors would not privately pay six figures for #55. It is on the block with no reserve so it should be interesting. I estimate its value at $50,000 give or take $15,000 (the NART factor is historically important). I will be on my annual trip to the 2020 auction week in Scottsdale, AZ and I will have a close look at #55. I don't believe I will be a player for this car unless I see or learn something I don't already know about #55.
Jerry,Bob, like you I don't sell my vehicles. However, I am very discerning about what I buy and mostly focus on vehicles that have a rich history with an accurate accounting of the claimed provenance. All my diverse holdings and acquisitions have investment value. I have never been capricious about spending money. There is definitely a difference. I am pleased that you and your wife are happy.