[keiser31]

Some folks simply get caught up in the bidding frenzy and before you know it....they have paid way more than it was worth.

[nearchoclatetown]

How long are we going to have to hear about an Olds being high $$$,$$$.

[BJM]

I wonder if those auctions ar tightly controlled affairs. I mean if I was there and I watched some idiot baby boomer with a crush on a car way overbid it I would have to say "what a moron" loud enough for him to hear it... then get escorted out I am sure.

It has to be that they have the wife back at home tevoing it so they can show the neighbors the salt and pepper haired dude won his six figure gussied up muscle car.

[Dynaflash8]

In my opinion, these auctions have been a ruination of the hobby and have driven the cost of the hobby totally out of the realm of the average enthusiast. The result has been the disappearance of the average enthusiast, particularly the younger average enthusiast. I attended my first auction since the old Manheim Auto Auctions of the seventies a couple of weeks ago out of curiousity. I got disgusted and left as prices were simply crazy. I believe I've lived long enough to see the end of an era. Fortunately, I have kept a couple of good cars that I bought years ago.

[charlier]

Originally Posted By: keiser31

Some folks simply get caught up in the bidding frenzy and before you know it....they have paid way more than it was worth.

Funny how some people have more Dollars than Sense.

The same thing happens with cars on a certain famous (some say infamous) on-line auction.
Unfortunately, the on-line auction has a lot more shill bidders bidding up the prices on vehicles.
I have seen way too many vehicles on that auction site in person. In almost every, single, case
the condition of the vehicles were not as advertised. Just reinforces the importance of the phrase "Buyer Beware".

[Steve Moskowitz]

The interesting thing about the Olds is that it was based on a car I owned for several years. I bought it in pieces from the man who bought the famous F-88 and later sold it to my friend Lars Anderson. When GM wanted to do a street rod I told them about this car and they bought it. They mocked up the car and designed a custom built rod based upon the 1923 Semi-Sport touring. The real parts later went to someone who was able to put a authentically restored car together so everyone won. I was happy the car brought a good price as it was the brain child of a very good friend.

I have to disagree with some of you about auctions. Yes, was I flabbergasted at some of the prices? Do they make sense to ME? No. However, not too many of us get criticized for restoring a car and having way too much in it? Seems to be no different then paying "too much" for the car. If someone can afford it and it is a car they will enjoy I think $$ are a moot point. Now if they are speculators, that is another whole story.

In the last two years I have had the chance to be around auctions a bit and at least from the prospective of RM and what I have witnessed, collections they have sold for AACA members and cars friends have bought I do not believe the negative things about all auctions.

Auctions also have been a double edge sword. Yes, have they given the impression that the hobby is expensive but they have also helped publicize the hobby to a huge degree with auctions shows on many channels. I also suppose if you are a seller, your perspective changes greatly.

[durant28]

People I talk to and many are not car people always ask me when they find a have an antique car. "Hey have you seen those auctions on TV"? "Are those people nuts"! "I could never afford to get into that hobby". I then have to explain to them that the prices are way over priced and you can buy a car just as good on the outside for much less. I for one would never buy a car at an auction. We don't get criticized for having too much in it, but we do get criticized when we try to sell the car for what it cost to restore it. A model A for $50,000.00 just isn't going to cut it, I don't care if that was the restoration cost or not. Everyone restoring cars have to realize that you are doing it for a labor of love and to bring that car back to it's former glory for others as well to view and admire not to supplement your retirement fund. To bid that car up in an auction to $50,000 or $60,000 does not do the hobby justice. Then all those out there sitting on a model A in the garage will think their car is worth $50,000 or more and they will not get into the market to be restored. The mentality of I'll hold onto it until I get the price will set in. And it continues to decay and rust. Look in your town for a 69 Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet or similar Camaro and try to negotiate a fair price for a car that needs restoration. The owner will tell you that these cars are bringing well over $200,000 at the auction.

[Trulyvintage]

Originally Posted By: Jay Wolf

I noticed that motorhome that was at Hershey sold last night.

Jay,

That motorhome was a 1925 Chevrolet Housecar that we sold to the GM Heritage Museum with the understanding that it would remain in their permanent collection and be part of a showcase featuring vintage recreational vehicles.
It had less than 5000 original miles, was in good running order and had a clear title in our name.
'Housecars' were the precursor to motorhomes and it is very rare to find one built on a Chevrolet chassis.
Most surviving examples are on Ford truck chassis.
We never advertised it for sale and received far far less than it was worth.
In hindsight, we should have kept it for our collection and taken it to vintage rallies like we started to do.
I hope whoever bought it allows the public to see and touch it - that was our express wishes.

Personally, I will never donate or sell to a museum again.

Jim [img]<>/frown.gif[/img]

[West Peterson]

It would be nice to know where the house car is headed.
If you want to put stipulations on a donation to a museum, I agree, you probably are better off not doing it. Museums cannot guarantee what the future holds. If, however, you are making a donation to support the museum, that is the way in which most are done and is the best way to support them. By putting stipulations on your donation, your "support" actually costs the museum money.
If you really wanted the house car to be seen by a lot of people, the Heritage Collection was the last place it should have gone to. It is closed to the public.

[Trulyvintage]

Originally Posted By: West Peterson

It would be nice to know where the house car is headed.
If you want to put stipulations on a donation to a museum, I agree, you probably are better off not doing it. Museums cannot guarantee what the future holds. If, however, you are making a donation to support the museum, that is the way in which most are done and is the best way to support them. By putting stipulations on your donation, your "support" actually costs the museum money.
If you really wanted the house car to be seen by a lot of people, the Heritage Collection was the last place it should have gone to. It is closed to the public.

West,
The GM Heritage Museum was the best choice at the time to place our 1925 Housecar.
It was committed to maintaining and preserving the housecar for years to come.
It was the closest thing to having the housecar return 'home'.
The GM Heritage Museum puts its' collection on traveling displays all around the country - like at the GM Heritage tent in Hershey where apparently the housecar was on display last fall.
In hindsight, the best choice at the time was to keep it and bring it to the public at vintage rallies during the year.
Had we wanted to sell it for the most money - we would have placed it at an auction.

Jim