What's my vintage stuff worth?

[Mad Ax]

This isn't a For Sale thread - just getting an idea of what my stuff is

worth, as I need to clear some space.  Got a few old bits and

pieces lying around that I've collected over the years.

First up is an original Grasshopper.  This was given to me as a

complete but well-used car, and in the time that I had it, it got used

harder.  The rear tyres are so thin they feel like paper. 

ISTR the shell is complete but scratched, and needs repainting. 

The chassis is complete, but its life came to an end when a big roll

smashed off the front left suspension tower - so it needs a new chassis

tub.  The rest of it needs a complete rebuild - all the nylon

bearings are worn so the wheels are sloppy.  I've also got a few

hump-packs with it - they were rebuilt with new cells back in 1996-7,

but ideally need rebuilding again as I probably didn't do a very good

job.

Next is a Mardave Ministock.  This is the early model with the

hard plastic shell.  Complete, but worn.  The rear wheel /

gears were quite badly worn, although it still works they don't mesh

very well, and the rear axle is bent - although since the rear axle is

just an iron bar it would be an easy fix.

Thirdly - not really vintage, but not something I really care for any

more - I have a Kyosho Sand Master nitro car.  Last time I got

this out of the shed it was complete and 100% working - just needed

setting up, I couldn't seem to get the brake and throttle to adjust

properly (although I was probably being an idiot at the time).  It

hasn't been out of the shed in at least 3 years and probably needs the

carb cleaning out and setting up again.  The flywheel gear is a

bit worn, but otherwise it's complete and seen very little use.  I

have all the original bits from the kit, incl. the glow starter and

charger.

I *THINK* I still have a Mud Blaster, somewhere, although last time I

looked in the shed I couldn't see it anywhere - which leads me to

believe that it may well have been sold.  The Mud Blaster was my

first (and until last month, only) NIB purchase - but I never really

liked it.  I always regretted not getting a buggy, as being a

hamfisted idiot I rolled it on a daily basis and ultimately ruined the

shell.  Underneath, however, the spaceframe chassis is

untouched.  This would be sold as an "incomplete project" as I

seem to recall that I may have cannibalised some of the parts (prob

just steering arms) for the Grasshopper.

Finally, the ultimate vintage pride, I have an original Hi-Lux. 

This was a chance find - a guy renting a property from family left

without paying the bills, and left the Hi-Lux (along with a brand new

stereo system) behind.  Sadly it was without battery pack or radio

gear, so I never got the opportunity to see the 3-speed in full

action.  The shell is present but has some scratches, one of the

spotlamps is missing, the interior and driver is missing, the front

grille and bumper is missing.  The chassis is complete, however

there is no motor, and the front left swivel hub is damaged - I got the

car running once with an old radio set and a taped-up battery pack, but

a servo died on its maiden voyage and the left wheel clipped a

fencepost and smashed the hub.  This is frustrating, since it's

the only thing stopping the car from working.

Please note that ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE WITHOUT RADIO. 

I'm guessing the Hi-Lux is worth something to somebody who is

interested in restoring it.  If I devoted some money to it I could

do it myself, but TBH I think I'd rather sell it and put the revenue

into increasing my collection - I've got a Super Clod and a Hornet on

my wishlist.

The other cars, I'm not so sure.  If they're not worth anything I

may hang on to them, rebuild them and use them myself, or I may just

stick them on ebay for the sake of it.  The nitro car I'm in two

minds with - it's a nearly-new car, so should be worth me fixing it up

and getting out with it again, but TBH I find nitro is too messy, noisy

and temperamental for the sort of places I usually play.

If anyone is interested in any of the above then make me a sensible

offer [] or keep your eye out in the For Sale forum - once it's ready

to go I'll put a post up there for each car.

Cheers []

[Gruntfuggly]

Hi - I might be interested in your Grasshopper - got any pictures of it?

[Mad Ax]

Not as yet fuggly - will see what I can do.

Also looking at potentially restoring it since it was my favourite of

all my early cars.  I thought abought buying a re-re Hornet in a

month or two when I've got some more money, but re-re parts are so

cheap at the mo I'm thinking of a resto anyway...

Might have some pics next week, unless I decide to restore.

[DJTheo]

Best is to check completed auctions in ebay of similar conditioned cars as prices flucutate significantly from time to time and/or post some pics of them. The only one that will propably fetch good money is the Hilux as the others aren't so valuable or are widely sold in ebay and/or re-releases have dropped their prices further more.

Cheers