Role reversal: Renault 16 surprising dilemma

[Mr_Bo11ox]

There's no way I'd spend 5k on an old motor like this without seeing it first. Didn't someone on here go and see a BMC 1100 for 2 grand that had rotten closing sills! You just have no idea what planet the seller is on. Might be earth, but might not be.

[Mr Lobster]

So, bought it yet?

[Alexg]

Hpi check is clear, although current keeper has only owned it for 2 months.... the owner previous had it since June last year, and prior to that the same registered keeper since imported in 2008.

 

I'd be curious to know why the short ownership, although not curious enough to actually read the ad and see if it's mentioned.

[barefoot]

I'd have to have a very close look at that for 5k.

Add suggests that new owner has just had it 're-sprayed'

Five thousand pounds?

I'd need to see some pictures of it stripped to the metal.

[skattrd]

As said for that sort of money it's worth taking a day off work and going to see it ... or as it's a left hooker I'd possibly be going to France for one

[TagoraSX]

5K is a lot, I'd want to see full photographic evidence of the restoration and have an expert inspect it thoroughly. 

 

One man's restoration is another man's bodge.

[Skizzer]

Hpi check is clear, although current keeper has only owned it for 2 months.... the owner previous had it since June last year, and prior to that the same registered keeper since imported in 2008.

I'd be curious to know why the short ownership, although not curious enough to actually read the ad and see if it's mentioned.

Thanks a lot for this Alexg, much appreciated.

 

As you've all wisely said, I'm going to have to be convinced the resto has been done very, very properly for that money. The ad says next to nothing, and it's the same on eBay (feedback only as a buyer, mostly for track car stuff) and the Renault Classic Car forum.

 

I haven't spoken to him yet as I wanted to find out the HPI info first - all those changes of ownership are just cranking up my suspicion level even more. I have to say, I'm going off this idea a bit.

 

Taking a day off work is hard - I'm working 3 days a week each for 2 different clients for the next few months, and with all the bank holidays I can't really take any more time off... Plus there's the small matter of another Lancia needing fetching in a couple of weeks, of which more later.

 

Will report back soon.

[catsinthewelder]

To be fair if you can get Ratdat and his mate to give it a lookover for mates rates then that's probably better and cheaper than driving from Swansea to Skegness to kick the tyres.

[Talbotman]

If you Google 1967 Renault 16,and select images,you'll find a few pictures of this car prior to its paintwork. Click on those and will lead you the Advert on the Renault forum from last year. It states that the car was owned in France by a farmer who used to douse the floor in old engine oil and was particularly sound for a 16.The only bits of rot to mention at that time were on the front edge of the bonnet and on.the trailing edge of the tailgate. I would hazard a guess that the car was purchased last year by someone who owns a body/paintwork as a winter sideline project to specifically sell on as a bit of springtime moneymaker. It certainly looks a cracker....and perfect for Gower picnics!

[Skizzer]

Thanks Talbotman - that makes a big difference. I'd done a bit of searching but missed this - starting to make more sense now...

[Skizzer]

Ok, update at last. I've spoken to the seller who sounds like a decent chap; story hangs together. (I was wrong about him having just joined the Renault forum - in fact he's got an 8 and an Alpine A110 so is a bit of a star, and is selling up because he's found a 5 he really wants). There's no big restoration story because it hasn't had one - as per what Talbotman unearthed above (thanks again), it's very original. There is a history folder though. He's happy for an inspection; no advisories on the MOT a month ago. It sounds like a good car.

 

Will call Simon Pocklington at Renault Reborn tomorrow to see if he'll go and look at it for me. If not I might be asking a very big favour from Ratdat

 

Mrs Skizzer is still keen, so this might well be coming to Wales unless someone beats me to it...