Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) Modern Classic Cars Frontline Abingdon Edition

All valid comments re: costs for the UK market, but the situation is different in Oz.
Good luck with it Chris, whichever way you decide to go on rebuild or keep as is.

I don't think it's much different Graham, according to their web page, prices start from $170,000AUD - that's nigh on £90,000.

MGB Abingdon AU

You can pick up a +8 in Oz for under £40,000 ($75000AUD)

Plus 8's for sale in Oz.

Yes. Sadly the import duty and taxes are distorting the price of new cars in many countries allowing restoration to become more viable. I have never had a love of MG's but I do see the attraction of a resto mod in that space. I also see the attraction of a trad +8 or Aero.

I love that a restomod allows more personal expression in the rebuild. I am not totally certain that the $400k prices are justified but if someone is willing to pay then why not, apparently a £10k coffee machine is viable! I have a deep longing for an Alfaholics 115 Alfa Guilia. Just love that car it looks so pretty.

Alistair, if you like the Alfas I suspect you may enjoy this Lancia Aurelia

Brian - I had seen that one before and you are exactly right - great work. Inside and out.

That Lancia is absoluely beautiful - now that's something I would have.....

My mate bought one of those Alfaholics GTA's just before lockdown and not had a good clutch yet. Just nattering with him at the moment (he's restoring one of his 80" S1 Landy) and looking forward to going out fo a spin together.

[quote=TBM according to their web page, prices start from $170,000AUD - that's nigh on £90,000.

MGB Abingdon AU

You can pick up a +8 in Oz for under £40,000 ($75000AUD)

Plus 8's for sale in Oz.
[/quote]

I am paying $112,000AUD for the restoration/modernisation and $10,000 for the donor car so $122,000 in total.

I do wonder if he has lost any customers due to the price on the website. When I first saw him at a car show 5 years ago I was told from $80,000 with most customers spending $100,000, at that time a Morgan plus 4 was $110,000 plus whatever I would add which with a Morgan can add up. When i saw from $170,000AUD on his website I queried him and he said that is the car in the photo that has the 2.5L engine and a lot of expensive options, he built it so customers can see all the options and down-spec from there, prices are from $100,000 to $170,000 with most customers spending about $120,000 on the 2.0L engine. The only things I have down spec'ed from the red car in that photo is the engine from 2.5 to 2.0, carpet on the centre console and side sills instead of leather matching the seats and using the Stereo system I removed from my Silvia when it was written off (that is a great stereo so not really a down grade).

So really I think he should have $100,000 to $170,000 on his website as having "from $170,000" to me implies $170,000 to potentially a lot more.

To compare the specs on the last new Morgan in December 2019 was a 1.6 4/4 in Jaguar Metallic Green, Green Mohair top, Walnut dash, Over riders, Stainless Steel wheels, Map pockets, Foot-well lights, Visors, Heated Seats, mesh Grille, Clock, Door stays and Trinket Tray for $124,309AUD. A very nice colour, pretty good spec and a very close price.



The big difference to me is I could not buy the Morgan when it was available as I had no money end of last year but started a new well paid job January this year which combined with my retirement pension I should be able to make progress payments until March 2021 when my car is expected to be finished.

So yes a lot of money and there are a lot of second hand options like Plus 8 Morgans or Porsche Boxter's for much cheaper, but I guess like ordering a new Morgan part of the appeal is getting a car built to whatever colour and options you want/ can afford.

That's about £65,000 - certainly more realistic than £90K!

Regardless of my opinions, it's your money, you've earned it, and you can spend it whichever way you want. 100% behind you on buying something you're going to enjoy.

My adblocker prevented me getting to the +8s for sale.
So be it, I'm not switching it off, this poor little NetBook is slow enough as it is!

TBM - thanks.

Graham - Funny as it is a valid website, for you info this is a quick summary of the Morgans currently advertised in Australia and there is a reason collection of +8's, however most of them have been advertised for well over a year so cars are just not selling well.
2002 +8 15,000km $99,500 (was $120,000 about 5 months ago)
1976 +8 15,000km $89,500
1977 +8 29,000km $79,500
1979 +8 78,000km $78,500
1979 +8 87,000km $76,500
1980 +8 61,000km $72,500
1979 +8 75,000km $68,500
1979 +8 60,000km $66,995
1929 3W 33,000km $59,995
1989 4/4 99,000km $55,000
1974 4/4 74,000km $50,000
1981 4/4 101,000km $45,500
1970 4/4 59,000km $45,000
1948 4/4 3,000km $40,000