Purchase to Restore a 1959 Bentley Silver Cloud 1

[amdspitfire]

I'm thinking of purchasing a 1959 silver cloud 1 to restore. Some body prep work has been done but the owner isn't planning on finnishing it. The car has 33,678 miles and the engine hasn't ran for 7yrs. It is RHD.

The body is sanded down and needs more prep work before paint. It is in overall decent shape for it's age.






How it should look when complete:



Car is offered for $4k, I dont plan on flipping it but I also don't want to sink money into something I can't get my money back on. I plan to do all the engine and paint prep work myself just have somebody do the spray.

What are your thoughts on a value perspective and overall restore on a Bentley?

[e30slut]

it's gonna be worth it. I believe it's worth alot more than what youre about to pay for it now. Gorgeous car.

take your time and you shouldn't spend more than 5k on paint and body. Thats if you do it slowly and correct.

[franco90]

Go for it sexy looking car

[SpecM]

oh my gawd that would be so sick

what kind of engine are we looking at?

[Edev]

what kind of engine are we looking at?

M20, duhhhhhhh ;)

[SpecM]

M20, duhhhhhhh ;)

oh, I see...

[amdspitfire]

M20, duhhhhhhh ;)

LOL

As far as engine I want to stick to the original engine. I've heard a lot of "drop in a chevy 350" but I can't imagine "ruining" the car like that.

Engine has been sitting for 7yrs, I don't see why it can be resurected.

[e30slut]

LOL

As far as engine I want to stick to the original engine. I've heard a lot of "drop in a chevy 350" but I can't imagine "ruining" the car like that.

Engine has been sitting for 7yrs, I don't see why it can be resurected.

right on track.....

[SpecM]

LOL

As far as engine I want to stick to the original engine. I've heard a lot of "drop in a chevy 350" but I can't imagine "ruining" the car like that.

Engine has been sitting for 7yrs, I don't see why it can be resurected.

oh I agree, but what kind of engine does it have? (thats what I meant)

school us in old Bentleys

SIDE NOTE: if you need technical info, you could always consult your Bently manual... j/k...

[amdspitfire]

oh I agree, but what kind of engine does it have? (thats what I meant)

school us in old Bentleys

SIDE NOTE: if you need technical info, you could always consult your Bently manual... j/k...

HAHA, you guys are hilarious.

"The engine was a 155 hp / 4000 rpm 4.9 L six-cylinder unit with inlet over exhaust valves, twin SU carburettors, the transmission a four-speed automatic. Brakes were hydraulic and assisted by the Rolls-Royce mechanical servo with 11 in (279.4 mm) drums and suspension was independent coils at the front and semi-elliptic springs at the rear."

Supposedly they were tested way back when to do 102mph top speed and 0-60 in 13.5 seconds, not too shabby.

[bejbis]

assuming the owner has all the little chrome trinkets that he took off to start the body work like grill, mirrors, side moldings and such, id jump all over that at 4k.

[mrsleeve]

wow can we say money pit, and way more so than the E30 M

But yes if you put the time into it would be well worth it.

Start by taking all that primer back off down to bare steel and start over. If do a full frame off rotisserie restoration and you Put the man hours into the body and paint int engine bay and the research for the originality of it all , you would be looking at a good 5000 man hours to get it right minimum.

Then you have all the rest of the little shit to find or have made and you do it all right, it would be SO WORTH IT, its a long term project and not to be rushed.


for 4k if I had the place to put it and the time to invest I would be on the way to CA to snatch it up right now

[Bimmerista]

My boss has one that he restored over a period of 20 years. He's got well over $125k in it. The car is worth $100k on a good day. :rofl:

The only good thing I can say about his car is that its an actual 100 point car and it has received countless awards.

[RobE30]

Cool project man. I'd say do it and keep us posted w/ progress

[scabzzzz]

Looks like a colossal waste of money and time unless you have both on tap.