ff 143 on ebay

[VFK44]

Amidst all the arguments about whether the restoration of 143 is cost effective, we are ignoring one factor.

If someone with a few million (such as this cars potential purchaser) was heavily into steam trains, it would not be seen as unusual if he (sorry, but I can't imagine it will be a 'she') were to donate £50,000 to the restoration of a rare steam engine. At the end, he would not even have it in his garage or be able to drive it, but he would feel he had made a difference. Perhaps in the same way, paying way over the odds commercially to restore an FF would give the satisfaction of having saved a great piece of engineering. It would be there to be polished or boasted about, and who knows?, it might even turn a profit one day.

[Peter Rothery]

But what has changed recently apart from the fact that the prices have increased, secondhand parts have become more difficult as few cars are being broken and specialists are busier than ever as a result? The FF has always been a ground breaking piece of automotive history so where were the millionaire train spotters when this car and others where dumped in the nearest hedge because they were worth very little? Am I missing something?

[Martin R]

But what has changed recently apart from the fact that the prices have increased, secondhand parts have become more difficult as few cars are being broken and specialists are busier than ever as a result? The FF has always been a ground breaking piece of automotive history so where were the millionaire train spotters when this car and others where dumped in the nearest hedge because they were worth very little? Am I missing something?

When the old, unloved FF's were dumped in hedges, "the millionaires" would simply walk away and buy another near perfect FF for under £10k
Now, just finding an FF can be tricky.
There are several people who have spent very much money getting their FF into tip-top shape and hopefully, there will be someone willing to do the same with this one.
It appears to have all of the right FF specific parts (anti-lock etc) so it's really about re-trimming (if needed) and metalwork. Just rather a lot of it!

[Joerg]

I‘m happy that I got a much better project FF than this one, but I‘m sure that even this project will need a 6 figure amount to get it right and back to original.
There is no way to earn money by restoring an FF but to have a fully rebuild car is something that canˋt be judged by the cost of doing it. It is a time machine every time you drive it.

[schumijoe]

I had FF119/140 back in the late 80s early 90s which was beyond my capabilities and was sold to a well known gent named Paul Banham, it then disappeared for a while until it was for sale by Ulric but I have never heard of it since then. It was a goldy/ fawn colour and had a sunshine roof. I wonder where it is now
Joe