Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Porsche Madness

Couldn't disagree more. At my classic club, with cars worth up to 1 million, most owners do at least some of the maintenance themselves. Maybe not paint spraying or reboring but certainly routine engine re-builds. Personally I would be suspicious of a complete history file on a 1930s car. Firstly because its implausible. Secondly because I want to know that the owner isnt a mechanical numptie.

I think 'some' maintenance might be ok. But if you're looking at DB4/5's (for example) or F40's and cars of that ilk, then being serviced or modified at home is not a feature many would be turned on by. I know when buying or selling at Bonhams (which I've done), the history file is important - a home rebuild is something I would go to great lengths to avoid!

When you are in a financial position to bid for the best why would you bother looking at a home rebuild at all, this is a whole new level above Morgan's.

I suppose it depends very much on why the owner has purchased the car as well as his financial situation. I have long since given up servicing my daily driver but I would probably service a vintage car if I had one.

When it comes to the Morgan it is a bit of both. I get one dealer service a year but for the day to day stuff and any adjustments to the throttle bodies or ECU calibration I do that myself. I installed the throttle bodies myself but had Borghi install the suspension components because they have the experience and the equipment for the heavier work.

Much will depend on the value of the car - it would be unwise to home service a car that's a valuable asset. Owners will go to recognised independent specialists because it maintains and sometimes even enhances the value. Every visit being logged in the history file.

But a 'regular' classic car - a mini, MGB, Stag, Morgan (!), 924 etc - would be great fun to fettle and wouldn't make any difference to the value. In fact some cars might even be more desirable for having been maintained by an enthusiast. Buying a cherished car that's been well maintained by a loving owner, could be a smart buy.

Unfortunately modern cars are impossible to work on - look under the bonnet of an Aero, or an F Type. I wouldn't know where to start.

I used to service my Z1100 motorbike - oil, filter, plugs. If memory serves (and my memory is appalling), the cam chain could be tightened and the tappets were bucket and shim arrangements. All of this I could do. Quite impressive. Hahahaha