The Peerless & Warwick Discussion Forum

Brewco · Status: Offline

Peerless for sale at BHCC

DaveC · Status: Offline

I went to BHCC to see the car on Saturday. Here are my thoughts:

Firstly as it was jammed in between two other cars (typically for that place) it was hard to get any pictures more meaningful than on the website, and it also meant it was hard to really get a good handle on the parts inside.

The body is complete though the fiberglass is down to the glass fibers in parts (eg the roof) and in other parts the gelcoat is so damaged that its crumbling off. The hood was hinged with internal hinges instead of the externals, but there is at least one external hinge in the car. Oddly the wiring in the engine bay looks newer than the car. There is a DeDion tube in the car, suggesting that its a spare but it was so tight around the car that I couldnt get a good look underneath to see if the wheels are held on some other way. Engine looks complete but impossible to tell how far gone. Every steel part is covered in surface rust. Spare radiator, but both look to have water stains on the outside suggesting a leak. The trunk lid is screwed on but there is at least one hinge in the car. There is one window quick-lift (practically unobtainable), but the second could be still in the door. No sign of quick-lift handles though. The slight ridge on the front wings is still in place many people flatten then to make a nice round profile, but they should have this slight ridge. Side glass is either missing or broken, but easily replaced. The front screen is ok but replaceable now, and the rear screen looks fine. All rubber totally shot.

Oh, and one last thing the rear bumpers look like theyre from a Warwick not a peerless. I thought the P1 and P2 had the same ones, and then the Warwick was different, but I cant find a picture of the rear of a P2 with bumpers on, to check

Its a major project. Having said that, Dean has done amazing work with a worse starting point, over many years and hours. Check out both the forum and vintagemotoring.net

dave

Brewco · Status: Offline

sooo...,

with all that being the case, what are your thoughts on the car versus the asking price? As you know from our previous conversations I'm ok with a project, I just don't want to grossly overpay for whats there.Yeah I've been following Deans progress for a long time now ( very impressed so far bye the way, although no updates for quite some time, do you know why? ) Thanks

WB

DaveC · Status: Offline

I'm afraid I can't really comment on the price, as it's a project beyond my ambition and ability. Other major projects have gone through eBay at lower prices, but they come up sporadically and unpredictably. I suspect that there is plenty room in the price to negotiate a quick sale, even after they've paid their shipping costs from Utah. It did make me think I should ask more for mine given how much work is needed, but that's a different tale.

dave

nigel c · Status: Offline

thanks for taking the time Dave, it does look like it needs a fare amount of love. If you're really serious Wayland I can get in touch with Bob on your behalf and ask a few questions perhaps?

just to clarify see pics of different bumper styles for phase 1/2/Warwick.

Phase 1 Phase 2 & Warwick

phase 1 rear.jpg phase 2 rear.jpg

Brewco · Status: Offline

Thanks Dave and Nigel,

I'm still pondering what if any offer I would make on the car, from what I have seen over the last several years of watching these cars it seems to me that they are very optimistic on their asking price with all the missing bits and with the fairly significant body damage. With that being said I know that all of it is repairable and those missing bits are either findable or are something that can be fabricated as Dean and Nigel have proven time and again with their cars. It's the same old quandary, do I take what is available or risk that another better car and price will present itself in the future? If either of you have a crystal ball it would really help, lol. Again, thank you guys so much for all of your time and help.

On a different but related note, any idea why so many of these cars are in such dire condition even when compared to their contemporaries ? Always was curious about it

Wayland

mikerf · Status: Offline

If I can add my two pence (or cents) worth here, I would respectfully suggest that this particular car is worth a lot less than the asking price given the amount of work (and/or cost) involved in the body repairs or replacement along with the missing parts (as far as I can tell from the photos) combined with all the work that would be generally undertaken on a vehicle of this type.

The car looks to be in a very similar condition to mine when I bought it aside from the fact that the chassis is in much better condition. Mine had the bottom third rusted away and had to have extensive welding work carried out. This was before new chassis became available. The body, however, looks to be in very much a similar condition to mine with chunks missing, extensive gel coat cracking and gel coat worn away to such an extent that the matting was exposed.

I agonised long and hard over how to treat the bodywork on my car and was fully aware that it would have taken many, many long and hard hours to get it to an even half decent condition and even then I doubt it would have done the car justice. Fortunately, new bodies became available and although not particularly cheap, were a much better option for me and that's the route I've gone down.

I fully appreciate procuring a new body may be difficult for you being as you're on the wrong side of the Atlantic but in all seriousness (and I admit that I'm making a judgement based on pictures and DaveC's report) that car needs a new body and on that basis, should be priced to reflect that fact which I don't believe it presently is.

As I'm sure you're well aware, Peerless don't come up for sale often and if you have your heart set on one, only you can make the decision on the price. However, if I were in your shoes, I would either take a punt on a much lower price or try looking for an alternative marque. Do you get Gilbern GT's in America?

Brewco · Status: Offline

Hi mikerf,

I currently own MGBs, have driven a handful of Triumphs and a few Jags, but at 6'4" it limits many of the british sportscars that I can reasonably fit in. While I've never tried a Gilbern (they may be rarer over here than even the peerless) I imagine that it would be an issue for me like TVRs, spits, etc...Besides for me its the styling that I really love, much like an AC greyhound and an Astin DB4-5, the Peerless just got the sporting GT saloon look just right.

Thank you for your opinion and insight, that is the type of info that I'm looking for. I am currently leaning towards not pursuing this particular car as I agree with your assessment that it's currently priced significantly to high, but I will try and pay attention to it in the future just in case they lower their ask.

Brewco · Status: Offline

A quick update, it appears the car in question has sold, no idea for how much.

Thanks again to all who gave their opinions and advice on the matter.

Wayland

-- Edited by Brewco on Thursday 24th of May 2018 12:31:23 PM

-- Edited by Brewco on Thursday 24th of May 2018 12:32:02 PM

Dean · Status: Offline

Brewco wrote:
sooo...,

I've been following Deans progress for a long time now ( very impressed so far bye the way, although no updates for quite some time, do you know why? ) Thanks

WB

Well, I have been called out. It is all fair. The Peerless is taking a back seat as we relocated from Southern California to Northern California. The good news is the roads are great up here and we are starting to get involved in the local clubs. The Warwick made a splash at our first event with Alfa and Porsche owners gushing over it guessing it was worth more than a Ferrari... The Peerless is waiting for our barn to be completed before any meaningful work can restart. I am happy to report that my newly fabricated rain gutters are firmly attached and finished. When we are done with the barn the Peerless is top priority.

The Peerless will be the perfect car for this the Norther California Sierras if it has enough umph to get to 7,000 feet. Seems the local rally masters like to torture us.

Dean

Brewco · Status: Offline

Hi Dean,
congrats on the move, was just wondering what happened as you seemed to be making steady, continual progress on the Peerless. I fully understand that delay as I recently went through that myself, and it fully lasted three years to get things to a place that was even remotely functional. So now that you are further North can we expect to see you around for the Monterey car week? Best of luck with the barn and of course getting back to the Peerless.

Wayland