Repairing classics as an investment ?

[Sweepa]

Has anyone tried this to much success? There seems to be great money thrown around for old classics that got a full refurb. I'm not really talking about a massey 135 but more bigger horse like tw25, ih1455, john deere 3650, fiat 1580. I wouldn't be expecting big profits but more for the fun of it.

 

[Beowulf]

Has anyone tried this to much success? There seems to be great money thrown around for old classics that got a full refurb. I'm not really talking about a massey 135 but more bigger horse like tw25, ih1455, john deere 3650, fiat 1580. I wouldn't be expecting big profits but more for the fun of it.

I'm not sure about tractors specifically, but I've been buying, restoring and selling classic cars since my teens and I'm afraid there has never been any money in that. It's a labour of love.

The main money in the classic car world is being the middle man. Buying the best examples and selling them on again, or brokering deals where you know someone who wants a particular car and also the person who wants to sell - then taking a percentage fee for putting them together.

 

[B R C]

As an exit strategy from farming it has merit if you reduce tax buying classics as part of your tractor fleet then claiming entrepreneurs relief when packing in and selling the lot. Might be a big of a grey area though.

 

[7610 super q]

I doubt there's money to be made. Parts are expensive. A good paint job is expensive. Cutting out rot is expensive....
And something else I've noticed.....folks will pay good money at notable sales, yet nice stuff seems to fail to find a buyer on FB / ebay etc.
I wouldn't want to make a living from it.

 

[Richard Devon]

It depends.

Depends on your expectation of the completed restoration, the quality of what you are starting out with, whether you count your own labour as an expense, parts availability, capabilities of the person doing the repair.

 

[Nearly]

Buy the right machines in original condition and keep them that way.
Full restorations cost and rarely make more than just leaving them in a shed and tidying up any missing bits.

 

[roscoe erf]

@REStracTORATION

 

[Exfarmer]

I am certain that one large collection had vastly more money spent on it , than it ever made when dispersed.
Careful what I say publicly.
I know my small efforts have never been repaid

 

[X344chap]

It just takes one bad purchase and you will lose your shirt.

 

[v8willy]

I doubt there's money to be made. Parts are expensive. A good paint job is expensive. Cutting out rot is expensive....
And something else I've noticed.....folks will pay good money at notable sales, yet nice stuff seems to fail to find a buyer on FB / ebay etc.
I wouldn't want to make a living from it.

You have to make up your mind very quick at an auction, fellas get carried away, then there is johnny big balls who would like everyone to see him spending big bucks.

 

[REStracTORATION]

Most items sell off the open market,
When you've got 10k in parts in a tractor you start to doubt your judgement when it's sat there for months and your trying to obtain an original item at 5 times it's value...
It looks easy from the outside don't get me wrong and it is tempting.
There's plenty of crap out there and your best efforts are lost in sea of so-called know it alls!!!! Using the "restored" slogan.

You'll be busy and you'll turn money over but that's about it

 

[Speedstar]

Has anyone tried this to much success? There seems to be great money thrown around for old classics that got a full refurb. I'm not really talking about a massey 135 but more bigger horse like tw25, ih1455, john deere 3650, fiat 1580. I wouldn't be expecting big profits but more for the fun of it.

We have a project going on at the moment, overhaul a tractor back to better than new condition
I think if it is the right Tractor there is a pound to be made

 

[YELROM]

We have a project going on at the moment, overhaul a tractor back to better than new condition
I think if it is the right Tractor there is a pound to be made

What tractor are you restoring

 

[Speedstar]

What tractor are you restoring

A John Deere 2850

 

[Speedstar]

What tractor are you restoring

I would have liked to do a MF 2000 or 2005 but can not find one any were

 

[YELROM]

Whats a MF 2000 or 2005, google doesn't even bring anything up other than year 2000 or 2005 MF

 

[REStracTORATION]

Whats a MF 2000 or 2005, google doesn't even bring anything up other than year 2000 or 2005 MF

 

[YELROM]

Ahh with you now, surely there must be a few of them about in need of restoration

 

[Nearly]

Ahh with you now, surely there must be a few of them about in need of restoration

@masseybreaker

 

[masseybreaker]

wouldnt know where there is a shed full of them neil