1913 AC for sale

[Jam2]

http://www.prewarcar.com/classifieds/ad186722.html
   
   This must be a very rare car.

[Old Crock]

You’re right, a very rare car indeed. I think only three of these Fivet-engined cars are in complete condition (a couple more still survive with serious parts, like the correct engine, missing). Interestingly, three survivors are in New Zealand, and this car has been owned by the Salmson family for 100 years!
   
   This is a unique opportunity to buy a true Edwardian AC, and I hope that it’s soon back on the road again. I wonder how much it is?

[Old Crock]

Here's a couple of further known survivors:
   
   
   
   
   
   The second car, in NZ, shown here also:
   
   https://www.flickr.com/photos/terryhollis/6855631958

[BE774]

Is the grey car the one once owned by Bernard Garrett and Stan Moyce. I was talking to Stan the other week and he was saying his car was grey and wondered if it was still around. Does anyone know?

[BE774]

Apparently it is his old car. Where is it now?

[Old Crock]

The grey car, LL6864, was found by Jethro Crabb, who was well-known in veteran car circles, on a farm in Wiltshire. Here’s a photo of the car, as found and being recovered. It was an amazing restoration to bring it to the condition shown in the earlier photo above. I know the car went to Sweden in the 1980’s. I don’t know its whereabouts now, but maybe the relevant registrar could answer?
   
   For interest, a second photo below shows a period shot of a 10hp Fivet-engined AC (behind it is a Spyker omnibus)
   
   
   
   

[BE774]

Thanks for the update and photos (Clive?).
   
   Out of interest, I asked the NZ seller if he had a selling price. He is the grandson of the original owner. He said he was seeking offers and that the highest he had received was £10,500.

[Old Crock]

That offer is an insult. I've sent him an email and have circulated the advert to some who could seriously be interested. I hope he doesn't get ripped-off and that this car goes to someone who will appreciate its rarity and historic value.

[Jam2]

Old  Crock,  I do agree with your comments, I would have thought £20k plus,  the history of the car (bought new by the vendors grandfather and restored by the vendors father in the 1990's)  is written up in the NZ journal Beaded Wheels March 1998.  It had obviously got into a bit of a state and been off the road for many years prior to the restoration, but how many cars have remained with the family for over 100 years.

[Old Crock]

I've spoken to a highly regarded motoring historian, who’s specialised field is veteran and Edwardian cars, and he confirms this car to be worth a lot more than that offer. Due to its rarity there are no earlier sales on which to base a current valuation but both he, and I, think it’s got to be upwards from mid-£20k. For those interested in the period there is potential here for a very nice Edwardian car. Maybe the low offer is from a dealer with a customer in mind?

[Old Crock]

quote:Originally posted by BE774
   
Is the grey car the one once owned by Bernard Garrett and Stan Moyce. I was talking to Stan the other week and he was saying his car was grey and wondered if it was still around. Does anyone know?
   

   For interest, further to the note about the grey car, LL6864, and Jethro Crabb finding the car on a Wiltshire farm, I found an article in the gazette of the Veteran Car Club from the early '60's. It's copied below and I hope you can read it (you may have to download to enlarge?)
   
   
   
   
   Note the final sentence in the article 'The AC as restored. What a nice little car'

[Rob.Hendriks]

As stated by BE774, the owner has had an offer of GBP10500, however they are interested as to what the market sees as it's value
   Below restoration article written by sellers father in the NZVCC magazine
   Transport would be buyers responsibility
   Car has only had light use since restoration
   Is presently on display at the Yaldhurst Transport Museum, near Christchursh
   It is in good running condition
   Radiator drained and pistons oiled for storage
   Body and chassis in good condition - see article
   Comes with various gearbox and clutch parts
   
   
   

[Old Crock]

quote:Originally posted by Rob.Hendriks
   
As stated by BE774, the owner has had an offer of GBP10500, however they are interested as to what the market sees as it's value

   The owner, in this way, will not get ‘what the market sees as a value’ for two reasons:
   
   (1) The last one of these to change hands was more than 30 years ago so there is no current market value
   
   (2) The person who can pay the most will not play his cards, his maximum bid, with an 'open auction' like this. I spoke to two people, both contacted the owner, and both were told of the £10500 offer, so they’re considering simply upping that low offer (who wouldn't?) – that may be the best result for the buyer, not the seller.
   
   If there isn't a realistic bid I would suggest the owner puts this car into a specialist auction, one where veteran/Edwardian car buyers will be in abundance in the audience (and there are such auctions).
   
   Here's that photo of the car (it would look even better with its brass lamps mounted).
   

[REV]

Is it more important that the car gets top dollar or that it finds an owner that will cherish it?
   
   Some people love cars, some people like to own cars as things. The two are different. If it fetches a fabulous price I would bet it won't see the light of day.
   
   To many cars in collections nowadays and not enough actually owned by people that care.
   
   Just a thought.
   
   :-)

[Old Crock]

quote:Originally posted by BE774
   I asked the NZ seller if he had a selling price...the highest he had received was £10,500.

quote:Originally posted by Old Crock
That offer is an insult.

   I'm told, on good authority, that the owner is still considering a recent offer, from the UK, of £21,500. (Additional costs, obviously involved, to ship the car, NZ to UK of £2000+)