Model A auction in VA

I did get very curious about this water pump. It sold for $310 ($356 with tax and commission). Bratton's sells a pre-assembled leakless water pump for $187 and Snyder's sells theirs for $129.

I thought maybe someone was buying it for the fan blade, but it appears the fan is a standard steel one, not aluminum.

Four bidders took it from $125 to $310, so someone must know something about it that's not obvious (or at least for me!)
 

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I ran into the same issue with the 4 shocks. I didn't win that auction, but I did win the one I really wanted which was the Model A Garage sign. And as others here have said, sometimes the prices became ridiculous. at the price the shocks went to, you can get the set of 4 from the normal suppliers.
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C said:
What I did learn is tools & equipment bring stupid money.
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I monitor tool auctions in my region frequently and that is generally the rule. I don't know who is buying them, but even basic tools like wrenches still command good prices. My hypothesis is that there's a belief that new tools and machines, being imported, are worse NIB than old tools that have been banging around a toolbox for 40 years. I'm sure in some cases that's true, but it's hard to believe it's true so universally.

For certain items, particularly bench vises, there is something of a collector market and they can go for hundreds – the bigger the vise, the bigger the premium collectors are willing to pay. I was at a factory liquidation last month and the liquidating agent told me that one vise, a Wilton, had sold for $1,200 because it was listed as 8". This turned out to be a typo, it was only 6". The buyer demanded (and got) a refund, but it goes to show what the market is like.

You can still get bargains on tools and machines. I got a variable-speed freestanding drill press for $150 at that same factory. But you need to be willing to wait a long time and keep your powder dry.
 
If machine tools are going for high prices, it may indicate a thriving industrial community. That is if they are not antique tools.

Here in Wilkesboro, there are lots of empty buildings that used to be machine shops. Three reasons: It is easier and cheaper to replace broken things than to fix them, and mechanical things, like tractors, are generally built to last longer, and the factories that needed machines fixed have moved off shore. To me, it is really sad to see the empty buildings.
 
nkaminar said:
If machine tools are going for high prices, it may indicate a thriving industrial community. That is if they are not antique tools.
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The tool prices were kind of surprising. I was going to jump on the TIG welder, and it sold for less than I was able to find them for online (even used). About 50% of retail, and about $500 cheaper than I saw any used one sell for online. Not a bad deal, but it was out of my price range for something I didn't really need.

The Baileigh English wheel I thought was cool, but it sold for $1900 ($2185 after fees). New, they're $2700. The Baileigh sheet metal brake sold for $2625 ($3018 post-fees) and a new one is $3599. So, about $600 under new cost, and no warranty and the tools are used (personally, I'd rather have new if I were in the market, but that's me...)

Some of the tools I left scratching my head about. The Eastwood buffer and stand sold for $215 (before fees) but a new Eastwood buffer is $161 from Eastwood. Maybe it was the generic stand it was mounted on that added the value? The Sunex engine stand sold for $320 (another sold for $300) and new they are $478. So...if one doesn't mind them being used, a $100 savings is good. The pair of Big Red jack stands sold for $70 (before fees) and they are new for $54 (for the pair) on multiple websites. So..... :confused: The corded hand tools sold for decent money...and I've thrown out similar ones (maybe an ooops on my part...but I figured they weren't worth anything).

I guess it shows you can't know where an auction will go, especially when bids were as simple as two clicks of the mouse. Always a surprise!
 
nkaminar said:
Here in Wilkesboro, there are lots of empty buildings that used to be machine shops. Three reasons: It is easier and cheaper to replace broken things than to fix them, and mechanical things, like tractors, are generally built to last longer, and the factories that needed machines fixed have moved off shore. To me, it is really sad to see the empty buildings.
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We have the same thing in Norfolk. Some shops are still there, supporting the waterfront, but many have shut down. :(
 
what I learned maybe 30 years ago- never buy at auction. lol


fees taxes travel and just too much excitement!
 
ronn said:
what I learned maybe 30 years ago- never buy at auction. lol

fees taxes travel and just too much excitement!
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I buy at auction all the time. You just have to mentally add roughly 20% to all the values and, as Dave said, know what the price of comps is.

There is an element of uncertainty when you have to quickly figure out how to transport your winnings, but that's part of the fun.

For example, here is my POV trying to figure out how to get a 200-lb drill press into my minivan. I asked a few of the guys loading in their stuff to help me and they were happy to do so. Everyone's a winner, so to speak, at these load-up events and I've usually found people to be very friendly.
 

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I was outbid on everything except one book!

Oh well. The only thing I was really interested in were the model A generators, lot 703. There were 6 cores and 1 claimed to be rebuilt. That lot went for $205, long after I bowed out. I usually buy cores for $5 - $10 each at swap meets, often they are just given to me. 2 guys bid the price way up on them. My guess is they really wanted the supposed rebuilt one. I imagine the cores will be scrapped. I left my card on one of the cores in case the buyer wants any of them restored.
 
I bought items i can use, that's the only way I could justify the prices.
I was interested in the lift, it went for over retail.
The Fan and 2 engines were ridiculous. A lot of prices were almost retail after the Fees, I was really shocked what the used parts were bringing, most you can get at a swap meet for 1/2 the money.
I bought the Ford reproduction sign by Anie Roonie, this is a old reproduction that goes for top dollar at sign shows, the Oilzum I paid retail, the Shipping Department sign is a Original sign.
I bought the box of reamers and the KR Wilson tools. The pair of engine dollies. The horn and carburetor parts( nice B carb and new Marvel.)
The Glass bowl Holleys with adapters and the Tillotson carb is like new, major score on that box.
I bought 2 "Stock" heads.....(nobody buys stock heads) but I was paying attention to the pictures.
Both are HC heads, 5.5 and 6.0 about 1/2 price.
I think this is the first time in 20+ years my truck was only 1/2 full from a auction.
 
Wick said:
I bought 2 "Stock" heads.....(nobody buys stock heads) but I was paying attention to the pictures.
Both are HC heads, 5.5 and 6.0 about 1/2 price.
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I wondered how many of the bidders were savvy enough to identify the various Snyder's and Burtz heads from the combustion chambers. Clearly some! Really wanted to bid on a Burtz head but couldn't justify it even at half price.
 
I braved the downpour and picked up my winnings yesterday. All of the "mixed bag" piles of stuff I bought turned out to be better than I expected, so I went from somewhat pleased to pretty happy with what was there. I did get lots of spares of parts I'll never use, so I did add to my stock of parts to trade and/or give away.

I got my parts at the same time the fellow who bought the engine blocks and the fellow who bought the water pump and fan picked up their parts. Not sure if they were together or just happened to arrive at the same time. I was tempted to ask what they knew about the parts, but I got busy loading and never got around to it.

In spite of the rain, the area was really pretty and it was a nice drive. The Model A Garage outbuildings were incredible. Something I'd build if I won the lotto. :D I did thank the auction company employees for running a great auction. One of the smoothest I've participated in.
 

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I was very lucky a couple of yrs ago. Don put a couple of heads on ebay- slight nick here or there and I did get them for half price.


still need to mount them...........
 
I bid on a few items, but they went beyond my price range quickly. A surprising outcome, but good for the family.
 
I have been steadily inventorying and stocking parts since yesterday morning (including late into the night), so my eyes have about had it, but has anyone run a spreadsheet to see what the entire auction netted?
 
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