I paid 2.5K for 172 Cup with decent history, no accident damage and in good useable nick. I stuck 6000 miles onto it with nothing in the way of servicing etc. before starting the super cup project.
As it stands now I've got a 0KM 200bhp+ spec engine to go in it with a zero KM box and shafts, fresh wheel bearings all round and some new shiny Billy Coilovers.
With that lot it should rack up another 72K miles with nothing but standard servicing and setup. Total cost is judge a smidge over £4K inc the car.
Okay I have stuck about £5K of labour into it but hey, I still reckon I got a bit of a bargain! ;-)
Cheers
M