8 classic car projects for sale now

Are you ready to get your hands dirty?

New-ish year, new project? We’ve been itching to get our teeth (and spanners) into something that’s crying out for help for a while, and we reckon all of these classic car projects are possible contenders.

If you’re a newbie to classic car restoration the Morris and Ford Pilot may fit the bill – both are runners that can be used while you carry out a modicum of fettling to restore them to their former glories.

The Honda, shown here, and the Porsche require more work, but the BMW 3.0 CSL requires re-commissioning and the Lotus… well that’s a gamble that may pay off nicely.

One thing’s for sure: there’s something here for all levels of experience – and all budgets.

So, which would you choose?

1. 1964 Porsche 356C (est: $25-40,000)

This auction was about to get under way as we added this beauty to our projects list. In the meantime, you’d better start thinking about booking some tickets to LA, because that’s where this 356C is. 

We wouldn’t be at all surprised if there’s a lot of interest, despite the work required – which may surprise you, considering how tasty it looks in these pictures.

1964 Porsche 356C (cont.)

We’re fans of the burgundy paint, luggage rack and hubcaps on this C, which was the final version of the 356.

There are four disc brakes behind said hubcaps and the SC engine produced around 95hp when factory fresh.

The exterior isn’t flawless but it’s the interior that requires the most work – once that’s complete, you’ll have an absolute peach of a classic.

Find out more here.

2. 1960 Morris Minor (£3995)

Some project cars tend to make you grimace before you can start grinning (once all the hard work’s done!). But a Morris Minor is an exception.

This example is for sale with marque specialist West Riding Classic Cars in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. 

1960 Morris Minor (cont.)

It would make a fine first project car because it’s something that can be used as the work is done, with a small amount of welding and some mechanical work required from the outset.

“She’s a very good-looking Minor with a stack of previous MoT certificates and paperwork,” says West Riding.

Find out more here.

3. 1961 Jaguar E-type (£119,995)

The Honda and Morris we’re featuring here are proof that you don’t need a lot of cash to get your own project car. This Jaguar E-type is at the other end of the scale!

Don’t worry, though, we haven’t lost our marbles – and it is a running and drivable E-type from the very earliest days of production, which means it’s rarer and therefore pricey, and ultimately more desirable.

1961 Jaguar E-type (cont.)

Of course, it’s up to you whether you keep it in its current red paint or restore it back to the Opalescent Gunmetal it wore out of the factory.

“It’s probably the most sought-after colour for the Series 1 E-types,” says Bridgnorth-based Classic Motor Cars Limited, where this Jaguar is being sold. The specialist also describes this car as a “fantastic basis for either a preservation or indeed restoration project” and “an early car with great potential”.

Find out more here.

4. 1985 Lotus Éclat Excel (£5995)

This Éclat’s winking face may well tug at your heartstrings, but you’ll need to have both your eyes wide open when you go to Essex to view it.

Why’s that? There are a few teeth missing from the timing belt, which may have caused an issue when it was running, says the owner.

It needs a new (supplied) ignition switch for it to start, but you won’t want to install that before you’ve top-dead-centred and re-belted.

1985 Lotus Éclat Excel (cont.)

If the engine really does check out, this could well turn out to be a bit of a bargain, because the interior looks tidy and there are fewer than 60,000 miles on the clock.

So it’s all about knowing what’s going on under the bonnet – never have the words ‘buyer beware’ been more apt!

Find out more here.

5. 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL (£60-80,000)

The BMW 3.0 CSL (which stands for Coupé Sport Leicht) was creative homologation at its best – and today this is a classic car icon.

Only 500 came to the UK and this is number 104.

This one has been in storage since 2006 and has been consigned to Silverstone Auctions’ sale on 5 March.

1973 BMW 3.0 CSL (cont.)

Happily, this BMW has a decent history file and its handbooks, plus its original non-sport steering wheel.

It’s spent much of its life in London and Scotland, and now needs some fettling to return it to active service. Could this be one of the last unmolested CSLs to appear at auction?

Find out more here.

6. 1971 Honda 1300 Coupé 7 (est: £6300-8400)

Sports Car World said of this quirky little gem in 1971: “Four cylinders... fair enough. Air-cooled? Well, it’s been done. Transversely mounted engine? That’s been done, too. Forced-induction air-cooling? Not all that new. Front-wheel drive? Not new. Cross-over swing axles? Extremely rare!

“But combine all these features in one super-sporty little coupé, and you’ve got what looks on paper to be the weirdest little motor car ever!”
 

1971 Honda 1300 Coupé 7 (cont.)

This example is in fair condition mechanically, so it’s the body that’s the ‘main event’: some of the chrome trim needs to be re-treated and some tin worm is apparent elsewhere.

Once those issues are remedied a new coat of paint will set everything off nicely.

Meanwhile, the interior appears to be original (which means the steering wheel needs to be retrimmed and the dash top cracks sorted), but the front seats and door cards are intact.

Find out more here.

7. 1965 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 (£17,500)

A mid-’60s classic that’s still owned by its first keeper? You’d better believe it!

Like the Morris Minor we saw earlier, this Mk2 Jag hopefully isn’t going to be a major challenge of a project, but then that’s going to suit many a classic car fan who doesn’t want to pay concours prices and is happy to roll up their sleeves for some restorative work.

In this case, it’s the braking system that needs to be fully rebuilt before the Mk2 can get back on the road.

1965 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 (cont.)

What about the rest of it? “The original engine runs well, the car is structurally and mechanically intact and the interior needs nothing more than a deep clean,” says vendor RH Classics.

That last job is going to take you the best part of a weekend with the leather restorer and carpet shampoo, but the final result will surely be worth it.

Find out more here.
 

8. 1951 Ford Pilot V8 (no reserve)

This was the first large post-WW2 Ford and the Pilot had V8 power during its short, four-year life.

The example featured here has the larger unit, with 81bhp when new, and is set to cross the block during Barons’ Winter Classic auction on 22 February.

This is one of those projects where the weather shouldn’t dictate when you can work on it, because most of the jobs needed involve the interior. The apparently minor paint work could wait until summer.

1951 Ford Pilot V8 (cont.)

Even then, it doesn’t seem like it’s a major rework, with the leather upholstery needing a good clean and nourishment (the driver’s seat seam also requires a little help).

Even the Bakelite fittings are in seemingly good condition, and all of the door cards can be restored. But you’ll have to put some elbow grease into getting the carpets and headlining into decent nick.

Find out more here.