Why isn't my Rotisserie, Frame Off, Nut and Bolt '55 Conv. Chevy Bel Air Selling?

a reply to: johnwick

We never had the original motor or trans. We bought the car at the Pomona Swap Meet for $15K and totally restored the vehicle. Gosh...a lot of money was dumped into this thing and we're just trying to get what we put into it out of it. Nothing crazy...all fair. It just seems like E~bay has some ugly tricks up their sleeves.

For the first 5 days the bids were moving in increments of 5-10K then all of a sudden on the last 48 hours the bids were only going upwards $100 dollars. I had some bidders that contacted me telling me what they had bid and that their bid never showed up. Just wondering if anyone else has the same or similar experience with E~bay.

Will look into Barrett or similar.

Thank you for your advice

You should advertise on places like this. Give it to Bonhams first. That car will be gone in about 3 minutes.

www.bonhams.com...

www.autotraderclassics.com... 548627_1

a reply to: ThePublicEnemyNo1

First thing--beautiful car. It's nice to know that there are some on here that like doing this (my first car was a '66 Mustang, bought in '96--had to sell it last summer because I was purposefully downsizing).

But as for Ebay, I'm not certain I'd keep that as my go-to for a car like this. I've never owned or sold a car worth even close to what you're asking for this car, but I'd definitely give some of the other classic-car-specific places a try. I know that I'm very wary about some items on ebay--I wouldn't buy a car on there unless it was from someone close enough to drive and check it out, first. Dropping $75k on a car on Ebay just wouldn't sit well with me. That could be what is scaring them off--Ebay is relatively well known for scams, at least, that's a big enough reputation that I'd avoid a purchase like this car through that site.

But, in the end, the value of the car rests in what the public is willing to pay for it--maybe at $75k, that's just too steep for that particular car at this time in the market. That doesn't mean it's not worth that amount to someone, somewhere, at some time...and maybe that is this week, but through another site.

I used to have my insurance through Haggerty--do they have any sort of car-selling site? I'd look into that, too.

Good luck, and like I said--beautiful car!

ETA: I'm really thinking that some others have hit the nail on the head--the lack of numbers matching. That's not to say that you can't replace the engine with a hot 350 and actually increase the value for someone maybe looking for a restomod (is that term still used) that looks stock, but hides a nice punch. But, in doing so, you narrow down your target audience willing to pay (what I consider, with my shallow pockets) a premium price. It could also depend on how you're billing the car--if you're calling this a restoration, it's not one if you have a different engine in it. At that point, like was already mentioned, it becomes a "restomod," and that can and does cause potential buyers to walk away.

I don't have a place to keep it is why Nor the $75K

That is a beautiful car, I`m into vintage and classics myself but my knowledge is from a much younger era of cars that are just now getting there. Have you ever had it appraised? Also those two auctions mentioned might be a more appropriate place for that one, I`m sure Ebay has a large car collector`s following but those auctions are where the money is.

a frame off drop top tri 5 goes for goes for that much here in so-cal. my neighbor had several tri 5 converts that he payed well over 100k each. the economy is your biggest enemy. i'm working on a 57 210 wagon right now. so i respect what you have done. so glad you didn't bag it with stupid big wheels. hemmings classic car is the best to advertise on. ebay is so sketchy when it comes to selling a car. you get fake bids. i would avoid ebay. hemming, old car trader, or jalopy journal is a better way to sell. or try a classic car broker,

a reply to: ThePublicEnemyNo1

You should put that car in a Barrett Jackson Auction. Don't go to Mecum as I've heard too many things about them.

Plus, $75,000 to start is way too much. Start it lower with a Reserve.

Plus, how much documentation do you have? Matching numbers? How much is it original?
All that makes a HUGE difference.

Im going to say take it off ebay as well. Nothing but 90% scammers. I tried to sell a motorcycle on there.

A cute little girl showed up, said it was for her fiancé in the army. She said she would be back on the weekend and showed up with 4 other people. One was a test rider, one was the guys supposed brother of the buyer.

The brother had a handgun on his belt, the other guy tried to drive off on the bike, while the girl slowly reached for a fake printed check. Mind you this was a cash in hand test ride only.

Their plan was to leave by gunpoint after the snagged the bike, probably throw it onto a new frame and sell it, I'm guessing.

Luckily I saw their game, jumped in front of the bike, grabbed the front brake and pulled the keys.

A buyer from craigslist bought it the next day for full asking price.

I also got 3 fake checks sent to me from ebay, trying to pay extra for shipping. By the time the banks would figure it out, I would be out the bike and the bank would demand the cash back.

Cash in person, public place or police station for transaction and or person with a carrying permit recommended for all online transactions over $500 for me.

a reply to: ThePublicEnemyNo1

Prob. will never get what one puts into it...nowhere near whats invested. It on the owner/builder for wanting this and that and this and those...that's on the builder. Someone else may love it, hate it or not want something thats not exact to spec on that make and model vehicle...even customized.

Contact (call long distance) Counts Customs in Las Vegas Nevada...yes that Count from the TV show. Ask if you can send some photos to them....go from there. They buy stuff...you might get lucky...or at least a more accurate appraisal of whats it really worth in the market.

Cant hurt. Good luck.

PS: Nice Ride! Definitely!

There's only two ways to go with an old classic like that. Either as minty and factory stock as possible or going off the edge on a full custom. The minor mod is going to dicourage those extra picky collectors that want it perfect in to the records for stuff like concours, as where it falls short on anything extra fun or all the modern conveniences that the SEMA crowd would go for. As beautiful as it was done in terms of detail and body-work, it fails to satisfy neither market that would be willing to throw money at that kind of thing.

You can keep trying, but good luck. However I'd say since you know what went into it, may as well enjoy it for yourself.

originally posted by: ThePublicEnemyNo1

originally posted by: Artlogic
As noted by other posters, matching numbers is a big one to real collectors....

+

From what I've noticed, a numbers matching vehicle such as our 1955 goes for upwards of $110K+ or maybe a resto-mod could go for $120K+ and up. We just have a restored frame off, nut and bolt brand new rotisserie 1955 Chevy Convertible with absolutely no sentimental value whatsoever.I should have asked you all if you have any experience selling on E~Bay a vehicle over $50K? Whether it sold and if not, why you think that might be.

Sorry if I was being vague.

No personal experience in selling cars that expensive but i do have some experience in buying exotic cars and those deals have always been through a car broker. If a car that expensive picked my interest on ebay i would contact a car broker and have him check it personally. Bidding on a car that expensive on ebay without having checked it out either personally (if you have the mechanical know-how) or otherwise through a trusted third party person seems very strange in my world.