How much is a 1500SE worth?

[JListerSE]

I'm beginning the full restoration of a 1980 Dolomite SE. Just wondering how much one could go for fully restored? 35,000 on the clock. Looks like I'm going to be spending about £3k on it. Not expecting to get my money back, but it would be interesting to know.

Thanks,

Jim.

[xvivalve]

Possibly a bit less if you change the dash...but then I prefer the HL ones too... At the top end, originality seems to count.

It would be nice to think a sorted model would top £3k, but I think your market would be a limited one. Insurance valuation could top that though as it would reflect what you'd have to pay to get one in similar condition.

[TrustNo1]

Depends the quality of the built and parts used. A proper paint job can coat £4k but when finished I reckon £2500.

[blue dolly se]

I agree £2,500 is about the limit, the 1500SE is lovely car, I have had a few in the past and always seemed to struggle to sell them. every body wants a sprint

[cleverusername]

Whatever someone will pay for it, not a useful answer, but book prices tend to be useless. The figures above are probably right, many posters here will know the market well.

Or have a look at some of the final selling prices for Dolomites on ebay.

To be frank if you're doing the car up hoping to make a profit, I wouldn't bother. Much better to spend a little more, and get a well sorted car in the place. More than likely cheaper than restoration costs.

Do the restoration for the love of it, if the values one day rise, that is a bonus.

[cleverusername]

I agree £2,500 is about the limit, the 1500SE is lovely car, I have had a few in the past and always seemed to struggle to sell them. every body wants a sprint

It is a strange one, that walnut wood is very nice, as is the unique paint work, but why did BL go to that expense, and not make it HL spec?

[DoloWIGHTY]

It is a strange one, that walnut wood is very nice, as is the unique paint work, but why did BL go to that expense, and not make it HL spec?

I believe it was just an exercise in using up surplus 1300/base model 1500 parts, thus a square headlamp, and a flat dash and "skinny seats" as this is what there was a surplus of at that particular time.

Do the restoration for the love of it, if the values one day rise, that is a bonus.

^^^ I would agree with that.


Of course once your restoration is complete you will need to get an Agreed Valuation policy on your insurance, so submit it at £3k if it's rejected at that then ask them to access what they feel is the true market value (though in my experience they tend to accept what you value at as they have such a broad range of cars they do not have the time to look at individual models within separate marques).

[JListerSE]

Thanks Alun. Yeah, I didn't expect to turn a profit on it. I'm going to restore it properly and hold on to it until someone offers me the money that I spent on it....which could be a very long time! Surely they only go up in value over time, if kept well?

[cleverusername]

Thanks Alun. Yeah, I didn't expect to turn a profit on it. I'm going to restore it properly and hold on to it until someone offers me the money that I spent on it....which could be a very long time! Surely they only go up in value over time, if kept well?

Could happen, demand for classics is increasing, which I think has alot to do with the Wheeler dealers effect, all those classic car TV shows. The problem for the Dolly is it is neither well known, or that iconic, with the exception of the Sprint.

The Sprint could drive up values of lesser cars, that has certainly happen with the MK1 Escort.

There is a brightside, your Dolly is far less nickable than an Escort. High values can be a double edged sword.

[TrustNo1]

Anyone who makes a profit a lower end classic car after restoring it is either very lucky or hasnt done a proper job restoring it.