Clementine's Garage
Clementine the Cat
 
Image of flower
Yellow R4
 
home my cars restoration tech tips guides forum
Réparateur d'automobiles

R4 GTL wanted + advice on purchase

JonathanT

JonathanT

Not normal for Norfolk
Messages
1,332
Location
Wymondham Norfolk
Hello All

New on here and keen to purchase an R4GTL. Looking at a restored example or preferably an excellent original condition mid 80's to last models.

Please could somebody advise what sort of price an original condition might cost me?

Thank you

Jonathan
 
Hi Jonathan,
I can't help you with a car I'm afraid but with regards to answering your question the cars are quite rare now so I would advise you are flexible in your requirements. I wouldn't for example get hung up on a particular colour, if you find a good car then buy it. The sad fact is there are not that many excellent original cars out there, and the few that are out there you'll find the owners don't want to let them go. Therefore the real answer to your question is, if you find one and you desperately want it it's worth whatever you are prepared to pay for it! Looking at recent prices something with an MOT, useable daily but needing some degree of cosmetic work seem to be in the £1k to £2k region (though the state of the chassis on these cars is another matter - really strongly recommend giving the underside of any purchase a good inspection. Take a torch for looking in nooks and crannies or better still get it up on an inspection lift!).

Cars I'd describe as very good - but not necessarily perfect then sit in the £2k to £3.5k region, and I haven't seen anything recently sell like it but something truly immaculate could probably break £4k. Occasionally dealers in magazines like Classic and Sportscar get hold of one and seem to ask in the region of £5k - £6k. I've never been to see one of these in the metal but I tend to think they are really a £3k - £4k car with dealer premium added.

The others on this forum may well refine my view with better opinion / evidence. If you were prepared to have lhd, and scour France you'll widen your potential net massively and might get something cheaper than above. There's French residents on the forum who can guide you through the paperwork trail, and may have access to decent cars too... Best of Luck!
 
I sold a 1986 TL three months ago, for a thousand less than I thought it was worth! it was in excellent condition, and the new owner was delighted with her acquisition. I know I let it go too cheaply but I had two and one had to go.
 
Hi Snailshed

Thank you for taking the time with such a helpful answer. Im currently interested in one on Car & Classic in Dublin Ireland. It claims to be in good condition and the seller is in comms with me. Trying to ascertain the condition however as all I have seen is the two photos on the website. These are grainy and prob taken with a phone. So may have to take a trip out there (I'd have to fly as I Live in Norfolk UK) Been in contact with VLA too re registering in the UK. All a bit of a drag as they suggest the car is trailered back and not driven... but in the same breath seem to suggest if I have an MOT booked in my hometown that would be ok!

Found some excellent tips on what to look for ...

My Girlfriend speaks fluent French so I have an advantage there. However careful studying of all I have found on the web indicates that converting a LHD is rather more involved than I had first thought with asymmetric bulkheads etc. There are a vast amount on the French Lebconin site. Though I suspect most are old adverts and not as available as the site suggests. Strangely most advertisers on that site have not categorised their cars correctly. Of all the 380 odd cars listed only 6 claim to be GTL versions (the type I'm after)

JohnJolly ... I notice you live in Northumberland? ... Is it your Yellow R4 that keeps popping up as being for sale??? .. If so I suspect this is an old advert too.

Jonathan
 
Hi Jonathan
I am here in Dublin & could have a look at that car if it would help you.
 
Des said:
Hi Jonathan
I am here in Dublin & could have a look at that car if it would help you.
Click to expand...


Des thats really brilliant thank you.

I have however sent a message saying i didn't think it worthwhile for the condition (I finally got the remaining photos) However if you pm me I will send on the photos for your opinion too before going to any trouble. Not convinced it will sell quickly... So if you think it really is worth the can then I could re-negotiate.

Jonathan
 
Duncan Topliss said:
Hi Jonathan have you seen the red GTL on ebay ? I am also selling a 4 van if you were interested.

Duncan
Click to expand...
Hi Duncan Just found it before coming on here. Have already taken up persuit. Thank you

Unfortunately van not suitable for me and my children. Best of luck!

Jonathan
 
Hi, if you mean that red GTL that's just popped up on ebay then totally understand that choice. It certainly looks good value (though I'd exercise the standard practice of never, ever, ever buying a car off ebay without seeing it in the metal first - apologies if it's a forum members car. I'd trust you lot but some of the shiesters on ebay...). I honestly took a look and thought if that's how cheap something decent now is, it'd be cheaper to buy another than sort out the one I already have!
 
Hi Snailshed

I just know having recently completed a full restoration on a vintage Eriba Puck Caravan the cost of buying is only a quarter of the cost of restoration. My C8 cost 2k to fix a year ago when the engine cam belt bust well within mileage! Well hopeful the car will turn out ok. But will defo view first
 
JonathanT : You don't need to bother to think about LHD conversion. R4s (even GTLs) don't go all that fast and generally it is everyone else overtaking you, not vice versa. The forward visibility is excellent and on the few occasions when I have needed to overtake in my LHD I have never had any difficulty (the car is sufficiently narrow to enable you to lean right over in front of the passenger seat). I've been driving (two) LHD R4s since 1995 and my first one did 100000 miles for me in the UK with never any driving difficulties.

Restricting yourself to RHD models is going to make your choice very much more limited. In addition, the few RHDs left on the road in the UK tend to attract silly prices. LHD spares are also very much easier to come by — most are still available new — while many RHD spares are obsolete (with all that implies for RHD conversion).

I would consider going to the South of France and get your girlfriend to work her charms (!). The advantage with Southern France, Spain or Portugal is that the R4s there have not had to put up with such a harsh climate or road salt, so the chassis will be in better condition. No-one has mentioned it on this post, but R4 chassis are rust-traps and a dead chassis is what always finishes an R4 off (the body being detachable/repairable and the engines bombproof).
 
There's a lhd r4 l just popped up on eBay for £1500. Looks pretty good but there is a comment that the last mot had an advisory about "blisters on the chassis" - that sounds a warning bell!
I'm after a good lhd r4, and I reckon the comments above on price are spot on
 
I Bought it! Absolutely LOVE IT! - My kids think they have the coolest Dad around :) Everything works Taxed insured Mot'd and on the road!!

Great fun. The windows currently have moss growing around the bottom edges....maybe I'll make some window boxes. Granny is on a knitting spree so maybe 4x draught excluders for each of the passenger doors?

We have decided to call him 'Womble' ;) on account of him 'wombling along'

Likely will drive as is for the short term and get the mechanics A1. Already we have carried out a short service got him running smoother and able to turn corners now the tyres are pumped up:)

I will post some pictures on here shortly.

Thank you to everyone for helpful comments

Jonathan
 
Introducing...... WoMBle!!

Some welding but chassis is in good order. Engine as clean as a whistle. Some rust (of course) but a really good place to start a resto! Especially with only 34K on the clock!!:)photo.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2024 XenForo Ltd.
Back
Top