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Jack '29 Sport Coupe

Jack '29 Sport Coupe

Well-known member
I was wearing my raggedy work clothes the other day, due to
piddling around in the garage playing with the coupe. You guys
all know how that goes! Anyway, the phone rang and my 74 year
old friend, Margie, called and asked me to come over and help her
with the sale of her late husband's antique Chevy Biscayne. The car
is show class quality and the two "youngsters" were trying to give
her a whopping two grand for it----cash. Such a deal! So I climbed
into the coupe and made tracks over to Margie's. The first thing I
noticed were two slickers with a very nice car trying to work their
magic with hundred dollar bills. Margie didn't have a chance. I knew
the body alone was worth more than what they were offering, so I
popped the hood for a "looksee" and to my surprise was a "409" just
as fine as they come. Not being a Chevy man I never discussed the
Biscayne with my deceased friend----just his Model A which he sold
about three months before he died. The two guys tried to play me
like a fiddle while trying to figure out what I knew about Chevs. After
listening to them trying to impress this old man, I finally turned to the
one doing all the talking and said: "Son, as you can probably figure
out, I'm a Ford guy------BUT EVEN I CAN RECOGNIZE A "409" WHEN
I SEE ONE!" I then turned to Margie and told her that if she sold it
for two grand I was going to ask her daughter to have her committed!
The two whippersnappers apparently decided that the raggedy old
man was a deal breaker, lol. Back in the days when I was in sales,
people like me would be referred to as "third party kill." Marge has turned
the car over to me to get her the best price for her beloved Biscayne.
I'm thinking about Mecum Auction in Kissimmee, Florida in January '11.
You can bet that the reserve will be a tad north of two grand.
Margie baked me a sweet tater pie yesterday-----and I think I earned
it! JMHO

Jack
 
Perhaps they are not good with decimals and made a mistake?

I would think $20,000 would be more appropriate if the car is in good shape, no?
 
Way to go Jack.I bet what you described happens alot more than what we hear about .She should bake you a dozen ,or aleast 12 pies .lol.:cool:
 
It's unfortunate that there are folks who will take advantage of someone in that situation, but that's the way it goes some times. Of course, I've seen it go the other way, too--where some guy who knows better is selling a broke-down Tudor to someone who doesn't know better for 28k.

Good work, Jack.
 
There was a dealer this year at Hershey Mr. 409 ... Had 3 409's on engine stands ready to run. And so he did run 1 of them w/ headers... The engines alone are over $10,000 rebuilt. I would try to sell the car first and not a Auction house. They take way to much % from the seller [which i don't get]? and the buyer pays too % [Is that double dipping]? I don't know if they also charge for a time frame on which the car is auctioned off. A plain BISCAYNE 2 door runs over $21,000. Should of told the 2 guy's to add a another zero's to that $2000.00 and add some more. not seeing the car i would say $40,000. to $50,000 . if its super nice as you said.
 
I never thought much of the ' W ' series engine when I was a youngster,, but,, things sure can change over the years.. There are a really neat engine, both inside and out.. You didn't mention what year the car was,but, any 409 Chevy in good shape is some kinda neat..
 
Peter, I've had good luck with Mecum. Auctions are good---if you know
what your reserve is going to be, and stick to it. I sold a car last year
for 1,800 over my desired net at Mecum/Kissimmee auction last year. By
the way, that 1800 was after all comissions, etc.

Jack
 
peters180a/170b said:
I would try to sell the car first and not a Auction house. They take way to much % from the seller [which i don't get]? and the buyer pays too % [Is that double dipping]? I don't know if they also charge for a time frame on which the car is auctioned off.
Click to expand...

Unless you are really into selling this type of car, I would consider a good Auction House that has auctions for this type of car. You will pay a commission as a seller but they do the promoting and handle the details of the sale. This is the type of car they like and should give it a priority time and good promotion. It is not just a run of the mill car. A good auction may well net the widow a better price for the car then you could sell it for and they do most of the work. Also, there will be no question by the family as to you not getting a fair price for the car.

Your job will be to get the car looking it's best and really detailed out. Also get together any information you can find on the history of this car and the details of the restoration etc.

Good job on not letting the widow get taken advantage of.

Keep us posted, Chris
 
not a big fan of Barret-Jackson type auctions. is Mecum another of those?
although I did advise our friend to consign her '57 Mercedes roadster to auction at the Ameilia Concours. the roadster is a very high-quality restoration, but she continues to hold out for an unrealistic price.

perhaps get a paid appraisal from a qualified Chebby specialist if such a person exists.

or put the car on eBay with a $50,000 reserve and let that crazy marketplace give you another appraisal.

with your guidance, the story should have a happy ending. thank you for saving her from the two "thieves".
 
Jeff/Illinois said:
If I were going to sell at an auto auction, I would prefer dealing with Mecum over B-J. Many of those cars 'sold' at B-J go back home with the owner, the bids are a scam. Proven over and over again. All shill bidding unless you catch the eye of that real estate developer that has bottomless pockets that buys a lot of cars.

Dana Mecum seems to be above the others as far as honesty goes, that is what my car friends have told me in their dealings w/ auction houses.
Click to expand...

I have heard the same thing about Mecum. Also, I believe they deal heavly in Muscle Cars.

Selling on eBay may also be an option BUT you may be dealing with a buyer from out of your area and you have to be ABSOLUTELY certain about the money and paperwork etc. and there may be a hassle if the buyer does not like the car when he gets it.

If this is NOT your car, I would lean towards Mecum.

My Opinion,

Chris
 
Chris in Jax said:
thank you for saving her from the two "thieves".
Click to expand...

Theives? A little harsh is it not?

Is this all that different then a find at a flea market or antique shop where the buyer knows what he is looking at the seller has no idea?

Does this mean that every time we get a great deal we are thieves because we know the worth and don't tell the seller?
 
Theives? A little harsh is it not?
not in my opinion.

Is this all that different then a find at a flea market or antique shop where the buyer knows what he is looking at the seller has no idea?
yes. again, just my opinion.

Does this mean that every time we get a great deal we are thieves because we know the worth and don't tell the seller?
absolutely not. if those two vultures offered the widow $2000 for a $3000 car, that's not an unreasonable business model. but since that car is apparently a $30,000+ rig, that's a whole different ball game.
I saw nothing in the original posting stating that the widow had quoted the vultures any price previous to their offer.

about 30 years ago, a couple I know were negotiating to buy a cream-puff Buick from 2 old maid sisters. when the discussion rolled around to price, the ladies told my friends they couldn't let it go for less than $600.
my friends counter-offered with $1,200, bought the car and everybody was happy. can you see the difference between that & what the two THIEVES tried to do?

not trying to pick a fight, Mike.
just my 2 cents. :cool:

"always let your conscience be your guide"
-Jimminy Cricket

 
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