Had this J reg Le Mans Special since 1996. Only 7 out of the original 24 are left, apparently. Do up or run it until it dies? Thoughts, anyone?
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It needs to be saved
How much saving does it need, in other words work/money to restore?
definitely worth saving but if it’s got the rot under all that bodywork are you prepared to dive in! Lovely car you might find someone who’ll p/ex it for a good normal mk1 if you just want a car to drive without all the restoration hassle.
I’ll take it off you hands for a couple of hundred … 
Having such a rare car is quite a responsibility isn’t it?
Many owners like to tweek or customise their cars to suit their nature. Fiddling with a LeMans could be considered almost sacrilegious to some.
On the other hand, a beautifully restored limited edition like that could equally be worth a small fortune to the right person.
You’ve certainly got a decision to make.
Good luck.
Definitely worth saving, a good polish and service ready to go if the sills are good. Definitely be noticed. 
A well sorted LeMans24 will be worth double any standard J plate MX-5. However virtually any work that will need doing will be a similar cost. Arches and sills are the same on them all. Paintwork will be a bit more expensive obviously.
Don’t bodge it, don’t neglect it, keep it pretty much standard.
If you can’t afford to do what’s needed or don’t want to take on the responsibility to keep this very special car on the road then please give someone else the chance.
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I agree, it has to be kept on the road and kept in good standard condition. You are the custodian and as the previous person said, either do it right or sell it to someone who will and get a regular mk1, but it will not be as much fun
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Surely such a special and rare car should be owned and renovated by our club.With so many members surely we could purchase this car,why not start a fund with the intent to buy it i for one would be happy to chip in.
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Hello GeriAtric
Brilliant idea
Count me in. The MX5 specialist who carries out the restoration would gain some kudos.
Who within the Club can organise the fund?
Importantly what sort of money is JAM1 looking for, if indeed they wish to sell?
Regards
Keith
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As a former Le Mans owner I can tell you there are far more than 7 of the original 22 left (the last two were never finished to Le Mans spec)
I would strongly suggest you pay some money and get that car ovehauled because they are worth some serious money, I think you would be surprised what someone will pay you for it (I know the sums involved in a few of the last sales, including my old one)
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There was a restored Le Mans at last year’s national event that was for sale for (if I recall correctly) £20K. The car as presented looked like a new car to me, which shows just what can be done. The details of the company that did the restoration are visible in the picture attached - you could ask them about the likely costs involved (or any of the many other companies offering a similar service). I’ve no affiliation with the company or car other than a short chat with the owner of the car at the event (I recall he was associated with the restoration business).
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As a former low mileage Le-Mans owner, I’d seriously suggest saving it by getting it restored and keeping it standard, a few grand spent here and there will probably be re-couped if you decided to sell it. The very small tweaks I did on mine were reversible so I could put it back to standard if needed, believe me, they are worth serious money now if in tip top condition… 
I knew of that Le-Mans in Super 7’s picture very well and seen first hand quite a bit of the restoration that was carried out. It was pretty rotten before the resto, but no expense was spared to get it back on the road in very good shape.
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Hi Kieth.W.
if Jam1 is thinking of selling perhaps he might post his ideas on the initial response to his thread.
By now the Club Management must be aware of this thread,is it possible they will post their views on this subject in the near future.
Regards Ian.
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I want one. I’d love to buy one, have it restored and cherish it. The problems are money and space. Then there is the problem that they are so special that you can’t get the pleasure out of them because you are worried about actually taking them out on the road. The plus point is that there were only ever 24 and although many are still left they will not all be around forever so they will appreciate in value.
How about going down the route favoured by many preserved railway locomotive groups? Check out the locomotive list of virtually any preserved railway and you will find locomotives listed as ‘owned by the **** locomotive fund’. A group of like minded enthusiast purchase a loco, restore it and loan it to the railway who then get to use it as long as they maintain it.
Might the likes of Beaulieu, Gaydon, Haynes or any other motor museum be interested in displaying one of the rarest editions of the world’s favourite sports car? No MX-5 is in supercar money territory yet so it’s not going to be costing a fortune to buy and restore. Maybe around £20k would get one into nice condition and suitably protected to keep it that way. 20 people investing a grand each wouldn’t be beyond a lot of people’s reach. Imagine it being on display at every national rally and having the chance to do an hour slot standing proudly next to it, talking about it and being able to say ‘I’m one of the owners’.
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OP has gone strangely quiet, gathering his thoughts, getting quotes or compiling his eBay listing?
Thanks for the replies, everyone. This LeMans has done a lot of miles (it’s on it’s second engine) and is currently my everyday car. It’s just passed its MOT after having 3 patches of welding done. I think £10-£20k to fully restore it is probably realistic, given everything I’ve read here and heard elsewhere. I don’t know how much it’s worth. I would be willing to part with it to someone who was willing and able to do it up. Just unsure what is a reasonable price given the condition versus the rarity.
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Went away for the weekend!
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Seems like more of a private collector interest. Jay Leno has what looks like a stock NA & ND, plus a thoroughly modified NA to be a daily driver sort of thing. I can see plenty of people like that wanting a Le Mans.
You’ll find out with an auction!
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Like my own Mk1 on it’s second engine, the purists with serious rose tinted finance want Hiroshma matching numbers…or think they do. For some, that alone bombs the value.
Others will squint past it. For serious money, I’d be in the matching numbers brigade.
I spent 4.2k refurbing my common as muck 93 Vs last year, be lucky to get a realistic £2.5-£2.7k on a good day with a following wind. There’s not a lot left on it that’s original…maybe 40% of it.
That LeMans, frankly who knows price wise. Only one way to find out but…I’d be very wary about chucking wads it it…as a lot of the OEM is in the bin.
To your credit Jam, you appear pragmatic & grounded about it. And honest.
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