OSF prices

[john_3.0s]

Looking at a couple of ebay related posts and considering the fact that I could not now afford to buy the OSF's I own, was wondering what these price hikes are doing to our OSF scene? The whole essance of OSF (to me) is hot cars for the working class - you know, out drag something exotic off the lights with something you have modified in your shed for less than a couple of grand but I fear those days are fast dissapearing.

 

Is this a good thing though? on the one hand it means all the money I have wasted over the years is now looking like an investment, but on the other hand what is happening to the owners scene? are we going to end up as cloth-capped psudeo-toffs like the jaguar / MG scene??

[MightySprocket]

I think its a good thing for those that already own one, I look at mine as an investment now. But it's a bad thing for those looking to buy one. Like you say it could have an effect on new blood entering the scene, I suppose as time roles on the newer models (dare I say it, mk2 fezzes, mk3 escorts and sierra's) will become they new generations equivalent of OSFs and ours will look like Model 'T's to them . There is no doubt the scene will change... might buy my F plate xr2 now!

[petrolhead]

I agree with your point about Hot Cars for the working class. The main initial attraction of OSFs for me was the Performance per pound you used to get. I hate to say it but if I had to buy another OSF I prob couldn't afford to buy anothr Mk1/2 Escort. So in essence, once/if mine ever goes I've been priced out of the game.

 

Prices going up used to be a good thing: cars are valued, restored and looked after better. But in my opinion, the prices of 2 doors in particular is just getting a bit silly. Out of the realms of most working class people, which is the whole point about Fords.

[RedditchJay]

50/50

 

as spocket says, if you own one then hang onto it, if you dont then you need yo pick what you buy, many MK1 prices {Escorts / Cortina's etc etc} are oing silly because its fasion to have a MK1 model, I have seriously thought about selling my MK1 Mexico and buying a MK2 Mexico because parts are easier to find and cheaper.

 

People will always pay what "they" feel a car or a part is worth to them. I paid silly money for my blue air box because you can't find them anywhere and was new old stock.

 

However, more and more garages are into classic restorations and there are many good replica panels out there so even the most rotten car can now be saved although at a cost.

 

Jay

[young un]

i agree its good for the people with an osf but for people with out one it will be really hard to get a good one in a small budget. the rises in prices is one reason for why my dads lettin me have an anglia at fouteen

 

 

steve

[Vista]

Personally I think it's a good thing, I know this may seem a little selfish as I already have one (and I apologise for any selfishness implied), but I have spent huge sums of money restoring several old Fords over the years, when I came to sell I made significant losses. I just accepted that as the price I paid for enjoying them. The fact that the person that bought it got to enjoy it very cheaply always seemed to escape me.

 

Now however, I have a chance of breaking even on my RS. I still won't make anything (that isn't what it's about for me anyway) but at least I won't get taken to the cleaners should I have to sell it.

[4parajon]

Personally for me, I dont give a stuff what its worth, coz I dont intend selling. Providing its got the right valuation for insurance reasons so I can rebuild it if the worst happens.

 

I do feel for the people who want to get in to the "scene" but cant because of prices, but what can you do.

Regarding the comment about ending up like MG owners, I spose some will, just like some are now. They trailer there cars around and dont use them like I and many others do, but that's there choice, I'm not having a dig at them, thats what they enjoy doing then good luck to them, I feckin hate cleaning and polishing mine I'd rather be out driving it and when the panels have rusted away and need re-placing I'll get new ones whether they are £65 or £165. I dont want to sound like Ive got loads of money coz I have'nt, it just means I'll have to save for longer!!!

[john_3.0s]

some interesting points there chaps and were runing at about 50/50 on the pole. I guess another positive is that the cars a now being taken seriously on the classic scene unlike a few years ago - but thats prob not all that important to most of us! I can remember having a rather heated debate with an MGB owner when he told me that a mass produced "ford" would never gain "classic" status.

[Jimbob-Squarepants ©]

Hhhmmmm, I have been a victim of this myself. 7 years ago, I sold my old Capri because I lost my job and couldn't afford to run it. It was a massive regret and it has taken this long for me to be able to get another one. (I have had the Capri a year now)

 

I do consider myself to be extremley lucky & it isn't something I take for granted. As 4parajon has said, he won't be selling, well this is the same point of view I have. I have waited years for another, there is no way I will part with them.

 

The likes of eBay are very good if you have something to sell, but unfortunatley, if you are trying to buy, it ends up going out of your reach. There are still bargains out there though, the trouble is, eBay is the first place anyone looks. For any chance of getting hold of an old Ford you are really better off checking out papers such as The Loot and Free Ads etc.

 

I really do sympathise with any new person or youngster trying to get into this game. The big problem I believe does lie with eBay. Everything is so hyped up and it is the first port of call if you are looking for something as well as if you have something to sell, you will be looking on eBay to get an idea of what it's worth.

 

I think even the people who own the cars now will eventually be priced out of the game if prices keep rising. Sad but possibly true!

[mk2 stu]

Yes! coz i've already got one and after spending nearly 4 years building i want it to be worth a bit !

[Mk2Jo]

Hmm, good question

 

Pro ....... it means mine is a good investment

 

Con ...... it makes it more attractive to theiving scum

[RedditchJay]

ditto to what Jo said.............. make sure the insurance policy is fully upto date just incase some muppet has it away

[john_3.0s]

ebay just amazes me and yes i'd agree that it's part way to blame. When I think of what I have got in my garages now, and even the stuff i have just binned over the years it's quite scary.

[james p]

ebay just amazes me and yes i'd agree that it's part way to blame. When I think of what I have got in my garages now, and even the stuff i have just binned over the years it's quite scary.

 

lol my dad was nearly in tears at the classic ford show wen he saw how much there worth co he bangerd some mint ones

also he was gutted watchin me hand over my savings for my mk2

[john_3.0s]

i scrapped a straght but a bit rusty mk2 2 door because I couldent be bothered to weld it up and then a mk2 1600 sport and it had a webasto roof that leaked! both of them are better than most of the cars in existance today in terms of their originality and neither needed much work - what a tw@t!!

[Johnson]

i can only see the prices going up unfortunately

[escortmad79]

It's a nightmare when you haven't got one & want another one!!

 

I'm being priced out of the market due to the demand!

 

Prices of spares are going stupid too!!

[v6pop]

My two pence worth on the subject.

 

Theres no denying that all OSF's have risen in price over the years,some models more than others.

 

The media hasnt helped by using OSF in films a tv programmes which has heightened interest.The model that has been hit most I think is the mk1(my favourite!) and mk2 Escorts.

 

There are different groups of people buying up the Escorts and I think the fact that the Rally worlds gone crazy over them and paying high bucks for solid shells has filtered back to the road cars as people see how much these guys are prepared to pay for them,due to large budgets they seem to have,raising the believed value of lesser condition cars.

 

This has now filtered down to the four door models,nothing wrong with them as they where a good alternative to the more expensive two door cars,but not for much longer.

 

I think its all a bit crazy and will only in the end drive away people with a passion and love for these cars but just cannot realistically afford to buy/repair what they want,young and not so young alike

 

But saying all that the scene has never been so strong and there are some amazing motors out there.........not a bad problem to have!(if you already have one!)

[MK II Mark]

I would love to buy an escort 2 door but the prices are going up all the time and I am considerng selling my daily car to buy a good one before they are all gone

 

One of my mates who builds rally cars reckons that such is the demand for two door shells that someone somewhere will start making them. What does everyone think, will that happen

[deluxe]

worried higher prices will tempt the pikeys to steal old skool fords and flog them in bits on ebay.

 

good thing with higher osf prices if it motivates people to take better care of them

[martymk1]

Hmm, good question

 

Pro ....... it means mine is a good investment

 

Con ...... it makes it more attractive to theiving scum

 

agree with that

[flyingbanana]

One of my mates who builds rally cars reckons that such is the demand for two door shells that someone somewhere will start making them. What does everyone think, will that happen

 

they already do the classic mini shells...so who knows

[stu]

in my veiw its a bad thing it will all end in tears. if uve got a real pasion 4 thease cars it shouldnt mater what their worth. as the prices rise on spares & da cars its gonna make it hard 4 evry 1, your gonna get fellas with a bit of serious dolla round em buying em up 2 make money. evry 1 will struggle, failing that cashing em in 2 clear dets etc. it will become like a rolls royce seen. as its been said thease cars r 4 working class 2 much money involved it will all go tits up, DATS WHAT I THINKS ANYWAY

[Danmex]

Like everyone said it's good if you've allready got one, I was lucky in that I bought mine literaly months before the scene really exploded. However I can see people that have allready got them ending up to afraid to drive them or leave them unattended. A lot of people are not going to risk throwing a 10 grand Escy round a race track, the cheap motorsport ellement that made Escort's so popular is going to end up becoming financially impossible. The concours side of retro fords is gonna get massive though.

[borneo]

Most of my mates are into their old VWs and i think there's a great deal to be learned from what's gone on in that scene. I've seen my mates buying cars for way more than they're worth because the VW thing was so popular with a load of people who were just in it for the image. That's all died off a bit now and my mates can't get the money back on their cars after buying the car and all the kit while the prices were high. On the other hand, people getting into it now can pick up cars that have had £££££s thrown at them for good money. Oh and it was the beetles and campers that went mad like the mk1 and 2 escorts. Lot of other old VWs didn't go up and down that much.

 

From my point of view right now, having shelled out a fair but tidy sum on a capri this month. Oh and with lots of parts still to get. I'm hoping things aren't gonna go to crazy! I've wanted this car since i was 8 years old and i'm never gonna let it go anywhere so it doesn't matter what it's worth in the future.

 

Bring on someone making new shells. The more OSFs on the road the better. Showin the VW boys how to go sideways!

 

That's my waffle