Lost and Found: Sleeping beauties in the Marketplace

For those who want to start not just from ‘scratch’ when it comes to buying a classic, but from dent, hole, rust and missing as well, here are four restorable gems just waiting to be discovered… plus one fully restored and very rare car – to inspire you.

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Porsche 356 Coupé: Asleep since 1969


This 1952 Porsche 356 coupé has been in storage for 44 years but, importantly, it’s said to be a ‘matching numbers’ car with a fully documented history, including servicing bills. 

Buy this Porsche 356 in the Classic Driver Marketplace >> 

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Jaguar XK140 Fixed Head Coupé: Starting point


The bad news is that it’s missing its engine and transmission. The good news is that, as a result, the Californian seller doesn’t expect a high price for this elegant 1956 classic.

Buy this XK140 FHC in the Classic Driver Marketplace >>

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Maserati Mistral: Looking to meet…


This time it’s just a bodyshell and two axles: no other parts at all. But we’re told the metalwork is in good condition so, if you know someone with a rusted Mistral that desperately needs a replacement body, hey presto! 

Buy this Mistral in the Classic Driver Marketplace >>

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Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet D: Almost there?


If the thought of buying a car that hasn’t been touched for decades is a bit intimidating, why not acquire a part-finished restoration? Particularly one that’s had specialist input and that can – with a favourable wind – be completed fairly quickly? This 1952 Mercedes could be just the thing.

Buy this Mercedes in the Classic Driver Marketplace >> 

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Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux: The end result


To inspire you, here’s a fully restored Bugatti – and no ‘ordinary’ Bugatti at that (if such a thing exists). According to Artcurial, which is offering the car at auction on 10 June, this 1938 Ventoux was ‘one of the last 10 examples of this model to be built’ and ‘the last Bugatti delivered before the War’. With the best specialist restorers – such as master coachbuilder Henri Chapron from Levallois – involved in its rebirth, it demonstrates how stunning a finished car can be. And it’s offered at ‘no reserve’, too.

See this car’s auction listing on Classic Driver >> 

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Text: Charis Whitcombe (Classic Driver)
Photos: Classic Driver Dealers

Suzuki DR650 Street Tracker by CR Designs

Suzuki DR650 street tracker

DR650 before

This isn't the first time we've seen someone start with an off road bike and take it to the streets, but this street tracker is very nicely done. The before was a 1992Suzuki DR650 that needed a little engine work and new exhaust system, the former owner had "modified it," but otherwise in good shape.

Suzuki DR650 street tracker

He lowered the suspension, installed flat track bars, mounted a new XR750 style tank and seat, fabricated a new dual megaphone exhaust, new wheels and brakes plus did a lot of detail work then finished it off in Corvette yellow which is pretty close to Suzuki competition colors.

The finished bike looks nice and light and very well done.

Thanks for the tip, Roy!

Link: Thumper Talk

Suzuki DR650 street tracker

by PAUL CROWE

via http://thekneeslider.com/

HONDA CB750K7 BY WRENCHMONKEES

This brutal, slammed Honda CB750K7 is Monkee #54, the latest machine to roll out of the legendary Danish workshop. It’s got even more of an apocalyptic feel than most Wrenchmonkees builds, and was commissioned by Timothée, a rider from Paris.

“Timothée wanted a custom that didn’t look like an ‘overdone,’ shiny, vintage bike,” says the Wrenchmonkees’ Per Nielsen. “He was open to suggestions, and to get the best result he made his dream clear and left the rest to us.” The Wrenchmonkees don’t use computer mock-ups or Photoshop impressions—but take their time getting to know a client’s needs and preferences via conversations and emails.

“We talked about a Kawasaki Z1000 or a Honda CB750,” says Per. “We ended up with this CB750K7, because the CB750 #44 had most of the characteristics that Timothée was looking for.” The golden rule was no chrome, and Timothée’s favorite finishes are black and ‘burnt.’ “He came to the right place!” laughs Per.

The motor has been given a 100cc boost to 836cc with a Wiseco kit. Everything breathes easier with a new exhaust system, a 4-into-2 custom fabrication. The electrics have been given a shot in the arm too, with a complete rewire, Dyna coils and a new electronic ignition system.

The suspension has been lowered 60 mm at the front, and new 300 mm shocks fitted at the rear to adjust the stance of the bike. The tires are now Dunlops, D401 at the front and K655 at the back.

The bodywork has been extensively modified too, starting with the tank. It’s from a 1970s Suzuki GS 400/425, sitting ahead of a custom seat unit. (So those glimpses of color, I’m guessing, are not the Candy Alpha Red the CB750K7 was originally offered with.) Compact new lights front and back add to the minimalist look, and the battery box hides a tiny li-ion unit weighing just 700 grams.

When the CB750 was finished, Timothée flew up from France and rode it for a weekend right across Denmark. (“Our country is quite small,” Per notes wryly.) The test ride was a success, and the Honda took the long road home to France.

Even in hard-to-impress Paris, I’m sure it’ll be a hit.

Head over to the Wrenchmonkees website for a complete listing of all their builds, and follow the news for Copenhagen via their Facebook page.

via BIKEEXIF

suzuki !!