Why do some sellers encourage buyers to destroy a good car?

[Malcolm Parker]

Join the new movement:

RUBY LIVES MATTER

Take the knee, whats that fluid dripping out under the engine?

I would quite like a good Mk 2 Ruby.

[Charles P]

Join the new movement:

RUBY LIVES MATTER

Take the knee, whats that fluid dripping out under the engine?

I would quite like a good Mk 2 Ruby.

Well I won't compete with you to buy one.
And I suspect that anyone who thinks a Ruby makes an easy and profitable conversion to a valuable Ulster replica may find the economics don't stack up.

c

[Tony Betts]

Hi tony,
I didnt think you would ever agree  it's not how a car handles. It's the overall look.
Personal choice, you either like something or you dont.
If I worried how a car handled, I'd improve it. And if I didnt know how to do that. I'd sell it and buy a modern classic.

Hi charles,
You are right it's not cheap, (to do one properly that is). 1000s of free hours as well.

The point is more as already suggested, all the not so good Ulster's out there. They can be produced alot cheaper. And pushed for more money than they are worth. Or turned into water ski's. If you didnt want to pay for the ulster body.

There are and have always been to many people buying something like a £12k ulster. Thinking they are getting the same quality as a £25k ulster. Same with any model or make. "Fools gold"

Tony.

[Tony Griffiths]

Here' what we need. A proper 100%-correct supercharged Ulster by these people. And, with so chassis/part-built/specials/etc about - unlike the Bugatti - no problem getting it registered for road use. https://pursangargentina.com/ (I'll have mine in Elisabeth Junek yellow - actually General Motors Pulsating Primrose).
What it must be like to run one on the road - roughly the same performance as a Turbo Lotus Esprit to 125 mph.
If you don't know this garage - and I'm sure everyone does - here's a treat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIxlql0Ebnc

[Chris.Dallas]

Funny, my view is totally opposite. Having driven a Ruby once, never again! I found the experience very unpleasant when compared to a 1927 tourer or 1928 RK Fabric. The Ruby seemed more cramped in the driving seat than the RK and the corner experience when compaired to the pre 30 cars was quite scary!

I suppose everyone to their own. Personally I would happily use the tourer all year round.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

A properly sorted Ruby is an absolute joy - one which is not so, an utter disaster.

Proper Ruby restorations are amongst the most expensive and end up being, the least valuable - I doff my hat to those who rise to the challenge and put their money where their mouth is.

[Hugh Barnes]

In Cambridge, some people will remember, we had a wonderful chap named Ray Walker, who ran a garage business where he specialised in Austin 7s.. Before the war, and before the days of his own garage, he worked for King and Harper (? away from home and relying on memory) He was once sent to Longbridge to collect a brand new 3 bearing Ruby for a customer and said that driving it was a revelation...

[sparkeysprite]

Interesting to see this being discussed as I called the seller about it yesterday. My intention would be to restore it as a Ruby - probably not a complete restoration as it looks to in reasonable condition, but just to a good useable standard. It is mostly complete apparently, but has no headlights nor wiring loom and so is a non runner, but allegedly turns over with good compression and all the engine ancillaries are there. I'm quite tempted, but it's in South Wales which is a long way to go (particularly when we're not supposed to be going anywhere!) and I'm not convinced enough to buy it blind. If it's still there when/if lockdown x is over I'll probably have a look.

[Steve Jones]

If you don't know this garage - and I'm sure everyone does - here's a treat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIxlql0Ebnc

He refers to the Pursang car as a 'replica Type 35 Bugatti'. No it's not. I've lost count of the number of times Barry Clarke would correct us when such cars were referred to as as 'replicas'. He would insist that 'replicas' can only be made by the original manufacturer and what we should say is 'copy'. If you read Jenks' definition of the various terms he used for describing the provenance or otherwise of cars (Original, Genuine, Authentic, Resurrection, Re-construction, Facsimile, Special, Duplication, Destroyed, Scrapped, Broken Up, and Converted) he makes the same point. 

Steve

[Alan]

I agree with Ruairidh. A good friend has. Mk1 Ruby. Unrestored, still original paint. Mechanically it’s had a good looking at. It goes like a dream. He uses it every day. It’s totally different to the Ulster, RL or Chummy but I really enjoy driving it when he lets me. Rubies do matter.