Selling bookend cars???

[Norris W.]

I watched with interest the two black 67 Corvettes at Mecuum and wondered if selling them as a pair enhanced the value significantly or merely narrowed the pool of perspective buyers due to the price obviously being higher for buying two cars as opposed to one. Obviously it's impossible to accurately rate the condition of two cars on Television.

I was particularly intrugued by the concept of bookends, since I've got two sets myself, with all 4 pieces being rare themselves individually, but in my own mind at least, especially so when paired up. Although it would take some type of major crisis for mine to be sold in my lifetime, it's interesting to discuss for several reasons, not the least of which is badgering the adult kids who have no interest in ole' cars.

[Tom B.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

Although there is sound reason for selling cars in pairs, such as consecutive serial numbers or matching cars, conventional wisdom says that you will get more out of the cars by selling them separately. Years of auction watching tends to confirm this. I have rarely, if ever seen a pair of cars sell for what I would consider a fair price for each added together. As a seller you also have to consider if the buyer places the same importance on keeping the pair together as you or if he is just taking advantage of buying two cars for maybe 75% of their value each. He might just turn them around immediately and sell them separately.

Tom

[Norris W.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

Tom, how did the pair of black '67 435's fetching $275K at Mecuum fit in that equation? The description offered at the auction did not seem to suggest that they would have brought any more than 150K for the convertible and 125K for the coupe if sold individually, compared with what some of the other L71 cars brought.

[Tom B.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

It sounds like the cars were at the right auction in front of the right audience. Anything can happen at any auction. I still think this would be more of the exception than the rule. I don't think that I would have the guts to try it with my pride and joys without placing a reserve. I tend to cry too easily.

Tom

[Ken A.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

They were well sold @ 275K as they were pretty rough looking cars, if I saw the right pair.

[Norris W.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

It sounds like the cars were at the right auction in front of the right audience. Anything can happen at any auction. I still think this would be more of the exception than the rule. I don't think that I would have the guts to try it with my pride and joys without placing a reserve. I tend to cry too easily.

Tom

Tom, I don't have the cahunas to sell anything at an auction without a reserve. A local guy took a pair of cars to BJ in Scottsdale 3 years ago when they were on the no reserve on anything kick (which they seem to have lifted). One was a local when new L78 Camaro with the original engine, low mileage and one repaint. It went for ridiculously cheap and he bought it back himself paying both buyer and seller commissions, plus the listing fee of course. He claims that he was informed by the BJ people that it was against their rules to buy your own stuff back, even if you pay the fees. (I'm just repeating his story, don't know it for sure) Anyway, the next day, his LS6 Chevelle, which his uncle had bought brand new and had under 10K miles, THE ORIGINAL drivetrain, all the paperwork in the world etc, crossed the block. The car had been stripped and painted years ago because of sun fade in a warehouse where it was parked getting daily sun through a window. The only downside to the car was that it had been delivered as non cowl hood and no stripes and the original owner had the dealer add that when it was new because he had actually ordered it that way. The car only brought 60K which was half what they thought it was worth and he grudgingly sold it. The estimate there was 120K but he hoped for 150K at the time because of the mileage, originality and documentation. I don't recall what he said the Camaro bid to, but always liked the Chevelle and would have excitedly paid the 60K for it here saving him the fees and transportation cost had it been offered. It made me a firm believer that my stuff won't ever be sold without a reserve. 'Course I don't ever sell anything anyway, so don't guess it matters. My son says I'm a car *****. I hope he meant hoarder.

[Tom R.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

Another bookend set of Corvettes is the 1978 Pace Car VIN 0003 and 6502 that were hooked up by Bud's Chevrolet. Obviously a different era and price range but it would be interesting to hear that story and whether it contributed to value. They were sold as a matched set...the first and last production 1978 dealer optioned Pace Car.

[Tom B.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

I remember when the LS6 Chevelles were bringing huge money. I had a '70 SS 454 LS6 El Camino in Autumn Gold I should have kept. It didn't have stripes or a cowl induction hood either. It was also a bench seat with manual steering and brakes. Rowing the M22 while using the 450 horses made up for that though.

Tom

[Norris W.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

I remember when the LS6 Chevelles were bringing huge money. I had a '70 SS 454 LS6 El Camino in Autumn Gold I should have kept. It didn't have stripes or a cowl induction hood either. It was also a bench seat with manual steering and brakes. Rowing the M22 while using the 450 horses made up for that though.Tom

Tom, actually my other set of bookends besides the Riverside Gold L88 & L89 Corvettes is a Fathom Blue LS6 Chevelle and El Camino, both with THE original drivetrains. I don't plan on ever putting myself in the "should have kept" category again. Been there, done that, won't go back. There's the Hemi GTX, long gone for 10K in the '80's that would fetch over a hundred now, and the green '69 & '70 Z28's, long gone for cheap also, and worst of all the should have bought ZL1 for $3500 with name and address of present owner of original engine. Man if we had only known. In all honesty though, I never bought a car for the projected value and wish the bottom would fall out of the value of all of 'em. It makes it easier to keep 'em and puts 'em back in the hands of the hobbyists and runs the *****s to another commodity.

EDIT: Daggum, I didn't realize "*****s" was a prohibited word. I always heard it was the world's oldest profession.

[Tom B.]

Re: Selling bookend cars???

There are too many should have kepts in our past. Who knew what they would be worth one day? I had a pair of '67 Olds 442s. Not exactly book ends as they were much different in color and options. One was a white one I bought new and the other was gold with a black vinyl top I bought for $200. and drove home. I sold all of my Olds stuff to a collector in '93. Just didn't have room for that and the Corvettes.

Tom