WANTED: Bellett GT

[degruch]

I might as well add my interest, with the traditional bi-monthly request for a GT.

I'm after a good GT, no projects, no GTR replicas, as original and as useable as possible. Happy to consider an interstate car. Any leads (thanks all for previous info) appreciated.

Would also consider a Toyota Corona 1600S, Toyota Corona Hardtop (RT50, RT51, RT55, RT56, RT72 Mark II), Hino Contessa, Prince Skyline (1500, GT, GTA, GTB), Prince Gloria, Nissan CSP310 Silvia, Mazda 1000 Coupe, Datsun 240K Hardtop (early), Honda Z360, Subaru Leone Coupe (1st generation GL or GSR) or other 4-seater coupes/sports sedans you can think of around the same value, Japanese or otherwise (e.g. Lotus Elite, Reliant Scimitar, Gilbern Invader, Hillman Imp Californian, Sunbeam Stiletto, late model Sunbeam Rapier, Fiat 2300S, Karmann Ghia T34, Saab V4 95 or 96, etc, etc).

I'm also a sucker for 1964-1966 Studebaker Cruisers (especially Hardtops or Wagonaires)...owned one for many years, starting to get all teary eyed and nostalgic these days.

I guess I could consider an extraordinary Bellett sedan...but it would need to be a stunner (dumped with some nice Watanabe's would help ).

Oh, and a Bond Bug.

Crikey, if I can't get something out of that soon, I'd be amazed! Bellett GT's are at the top of the list though.

Cheers,
Duane
0423 194 247

[degruch]

Bump! I've been adding cars to this list, including the best of the 70's. I should spend the money sending the Bond off to the bodyshop, but that won't get me motoring much sooner...just looking for a good car to enjoy.

Cheers,
Duane

[pa_man]

Hi Duane,
That's an awesome list, wouldn't mind a few of those myself.
A cruisers a great thing, (as well as one to work on)!
Hope you get what your after, I will keep a look out!
Regards
Joshua

[BELLQLD]

hi duanne check ebay theres a little gem sedan auto 69 model on there 94 000 mls with books asking $4300.00 ITEM 200475191455 MAYBEE NOT YOU ...COULD BE SOMEONE IN THE CLUB CHEERS DAVO

[rod]

go to the nats at coona with plenty of money ,everything is 4 sale at certain price ,???

[Farmer]

Aaaaah, right - so what's your price then Rod? (lol)

[BELLQLD]

sorry guys forgot to post that it is a toyota shovelnose corona regards davo

[degruch]

Hey, thanks guys!

I appreciate people keeping an eye out for me. Cheers Davo, the Corona is nice, but I'm after the hotties; a 1600S or one of the hardtops.

Yes, it's a list of cars Birdwood Mill would be happy with, they are all rare, and cool...I'm only after one of them though.

Had a look at a Zot a couple weeks back, but too run-down and too much money. Unsubstantiated rumours of outrageous value seem to come with every car I look at...there's a bit of a trend of people over-valuing their cars at the moment. I'm happy to wait for the right car at the right price - certainly keeping my options open.

I wouldn't mind a nice Bellett sedan, especially with a nice set of Sprintline's or Watanabe's. Kerry's prompted me to add some more Prince's to the list too.

Thanks again.
Duane

[BELLQLD]

hi duanne you prob allready seen them 2 69 sprinters one ke15 the other ke 17 in bits in bankstown sydney asking $1800.00 check it out on rollaclub site still had them a few days ago the guys name is mick 0451 5619216 (the pair these are restores) all the best again davo

[JT191]

Unsubstantiated rumours of outrageous value seem to come with every car I look at...there's a bit of a trend of people over-valuing their cars at the moment.

I don't think it's an at the moment thing, I think it's a permanent state of being.

US Public Television did some psychology program and they ran a test. A group was told the market price of an item. Then they asked the people in the group to give a price they would be willing to pay, and the average was about half market price. Each member of the group was then given the item. They waited two hours, and asked each member to give a price they would be willing to sell the item for. The average asking price was 1 1/2 times the market value. The reason for the high price: "The item is special, it was given to me".

This translates into car prices as follows:
"Your pride and joy, that you spent tens of thousands of dollars on, shines like a newly minted quarter, and runs like a Swiss clock, has a fair asking price of somewhere between a dollar and a dollar and a half. Because it's yours."
"My piece of junk, which does not run, which has no documented maintenance history, which has changed ownership hundreds of times, has a salvage title, and still has bark embedded in the hood and front bumper where it was wrapped around a tree, is worth ten thousand dollars more than the highest price ever paid for the same model car in mint condition with zero miles on the odometer. Because it's mine."

[degruch]

That's true JT, but it's hard to stiffle laughter at some of the 'market reseach' I've heard lately. Everyone seems to have a story of *insert make and model here* pulling galactic sums of cash 'not long ago'.

For example, the Z360 I looked at was original and complete, but a non-runner (garaged for 14 years), reasonable amount of rust, partially disassembled, badly resprayed red over the original orange and reupholstered with red velour inserts. I was told that due to the fact 'one sold recently for $20,000', it was a bargain at $2,500...I was a tad sheepish when I'd figured he'd probably expect $1,000 max. We'll see, as he's now listed it for sale on carsales.com. He received a comment from another owner on a forum I frequent, telling him the big money sale was in fact $36,500, and that this owner had now withdrawn his project car for sale (at $8,500) because it was now invaluable!

Last week I found a forum post from about 18 months ago, a chap in WA with a similar condition Zot for sale...the price...one slab of TED's. It didn't sell and was subsequently crushed.

Your example fits with my experience with Gerry's recently purchased GT. After several long chats with Steve I commented that he should really try anything to get the car running, as no-one would pay $8k (his then reserve price) for a car that doesn't run. How wrong I was! That car went for much higher than I would have paid, but not a totally unrealistic price. However, I would suggest that another GT I know of for sale at double that price, will probably be on the market for some time. The Japanese market is a good leveller for these things (see Aussie Mazda R130 project recently on eBay for $20k, there's a mint one on J-Spec for $23k landed - which one would you buy?).

So, it is only my opinion, but my observation is that there is a trend for very high estimates of value - possibly unrealistic - maybe based on the escolating cost of restoration, people's increased affluence, or people's desperation? I'm happy to pay a fair price for the right car...I'll be in debt no matter what, so no rush.

Cheers,
Duane

[PR91]

the bellett world isn't immune to this tho Duane, unfortunately. a similar has happened in only the last 12 months or so.
from memory, the story goes something like this....
a non-forum bellett owner has a half nice GT. wanted to sell it. was told by a 'mate who knows.....' (yes, we've all come across them from time to time) that as a GT is sooooooooooo rare with there only being 2 in victoria (again, ) that it's worth AT LEAST $35,000...........!! hence, it never sold.
put it this way, and not to blow our own trumpets, but if it was to sell for 35K, then some of the really nice GT's that ive seen as owned by forum users here would be only hit the market for a minimum of 50K..........!

[gt orphanage]

We have a gt waiting for a resto at 35k i am happy for you to choose colour and interior or for a mere 15k more it can restored close to factory or leather interior your choice.
man if i can pull this off i will put a roof back on the convertable and include a 5k cashback.

[degruch]

You've got the Australian GT market cornered up there mate...start rolling 'em out for $50k I say.

[BELLQLD]

hi guys i will have for sale gt bellett this one is not for the faint hearted its basically a shell ....but it is a gt .,,it has no motor ,box ,trim,what it does have is 2 doors a good rear screen i can get photos to you i will attempt to post on the forum it is a project could be that spare one you needed its no glamour but its for someone has 4 wheels is transportable its in sydney email me reckon it could make a good little club car ...i dont know which club ....it is a gt offers ? oh sorry it has a bonnett , gaurds, boot rear side windows .....find those alone davo in qld

[PR91]

by 'club' car, i'd read that to mean 'club race' car.
would be for the same club-based racing i do with my sedan.

[degruch]

Surely the orphanage can rebuild the GT from the ashtray up? Thank's Davo, no more projects for me for the time being though. I did spot those Sprinters too, but they also require some work. I've fallen into the trap of seeing the finished product before I see the reality far too often.

To be honest, what I'm seeing on J-Spec is very encouraging - running, complete, good looking 1800GT's landed for under $13k, plus tons of other weird possibilities. Has anyone had any experience with them? I have spoken to one of the guys and I'm really impressed with their operation.

Cheers,
Duane

[gt orphanage]

We would have almost enough parts to give it a go.To be honest i am not ready for another project, we still have one to go and a fair way to go with two gt projects. 1 painted (isabella grand tourers) and partly assembled almost rolling chassis,patches is almost driveable panel work almost finished with the under body and engine bay is painted.Walter the wasp is 80% done with the other 20% to be completed in the next couple of weeks.All three are still in the running for coona,the maroon gt is ready if all else fails.Then Ol yella is waiting and a sedan for something to do in our spare time that only needs a little lovin to drive.
As for the sugestion of importing one if you were to buy a rough one and build it on a budget you will spend the best part of $13000 if not more, depends on what you start with.It is in my opinion that this would be a viable option.Ol yella has a sentimental value as it has belonged in the family most of its life.If it was a car that was just found as a project it would be moved on and i would import one.The hardest thing would be finding someone to look at it.I have a contact in brisbane that can organise this if you are serious. send me a pm if you are.

[Leadfoot_Liz]

names mentioned on this site are not necessarily those that the owner chooses.....

[degruch]

* BUMP *

Guys, I've had a good response to this ad (about 5 GT's this year, plus a Honda Coupe 7, a Prince Skyline and a Hino Contessa!), but I'm still looking. Just confirming I'm still interested in a GT, or any of the 327 other cars I have listed above.

Cheers,
Duane