Is there a market for a built but unpainted Roadster?

[MB750]

I'm just curious. My plans for this Florida winter is to get the car completely built and registered, but I'll drive it around in gel coat for next summer.

Assuming I'm more interested in the "chase" of building rather than owning and driving, what do y'all think about selling it in gel coat?

My logic is that someone could buy it at a $7K-$10K discount to account for the body work, then make it whatever color they want. If I pick the color, it would detract potential buyers.

[Jeff Kleiner]

There is but needless to say it will be smaller than that for a complete and painted car. Consider that for the most part there are 2 types; those who build for themselves and those who want a “turnkey”. If you paint it Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes you’ll appeal to the largest pool of buyers and as long as you didn’t overpay you’ll recoup what you paid for body & paint and then some.

Jeff

[Kbl7td]

There’s another group, those looking to capitalize on someone’s loss and flip it. Just sold my SLC for a little short of what I could have gotten had it been 100% finished and not 95%. However it was time for the car to go. There’s a market for everything.

[john42]

When I was first shopping for a Cobra I specifically looked for unfinished / unpainted. That way I could finish it myself exactly as I wanted. I did find that the Cobra builders buy them pretty quick as they tend to be cheaper and of course no wait for a kit from FF. So priced right it would sell fast IMO. Of course it will be priced less then a finished one.

[Alan_C]

If the mechanical aspects of the build are what the buyer is looking for, absolutely. It gives the buyer the opportunity to personalize the car in his or her choice of color. The paint will be fresh, no issues with chips and scratches. The painter will stand behind what they have done independent of the car itself. The body work and painting process takes time, eliminating it for now means you can sell the car now. If you really need to sell, no brainer sell unpainted.

[cv2065]

If I were looking for a completed project, as long as it had the options I was looking for, an unpainted body would be a plus. Most looking for the 'ideal' Cobra can settle on what the interior looks like, but paint is another ball game and is more personalized.

Definitely drive it for a bit. Nothing like getting off work on a Friday thinking about Cobra time for the weekend! :)

[Jeff Kleiner]

...My logic is that someone could buy it at a $7K-$10K discount to account for the body work, then make it whatever color they want...

Just be aware that currently it'll take every bit of that 10K to have it done by someone who knows these cars. Materials alone will eat up 3,000 (or more depending on the color chosen).

Jeff