Hi everyone,I recently sold my 39 Zephyr coupe to a father and son in California,the car was not completely assembled.Two weeks ago it was picked up by a private company hired by the buyer,enclosed hauler and a real good guy driving.What happened once it left my possession gets FUZZY,apparently there was truck TROUBLE somewhere en route and EVERYTHING had to be switched over to another rig.To make a long story a little shorter the car was heavily damaged,front stuffed to the radiator,rear pushed in,roof damaged.Obviously the car came loose in the trailer and was not discovered for who knows how long.The new owners called me last evening sick about the whole situation,ME too.Could anyone here point me in the right direction regarding steps to follow in this matter.I need the name of a GOOD appraiser in the LA area to get a dollar figure on the damage.I gotta do whatever to help these guys out as they are <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />understandably heartbroken <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.diz

You are very fortunate that the hauler was "hired by the buyer". Had you made the arrangements you would really have a problem. For now I would carefully document whatever occurred from your end (date and time of pickup and anything else of importance) and the exact condition car was in when it left your premises and how it was tied down inside the trailer. As long as you took reasonable care in this regard, you should have no further responsibilities. Also your documentated information might help the buyer of the car in his claim. You can only do so much for the buyer, who will have to work through this somehow from his end. What a sad story....

Fred

Dale, We have a guy in GVACS Region (Dick Barrett) who is an appraiser who covers all of NYS west of Utica. I don't have his e-mail address, but he lives out of the Penfield area, and I know the association that he belongs to has contacts all over the country that have different specialties (Corvettes, Fire trucks, brass cars, etc.). I know for example if you wanted Dick to do an appraisal on your corvette, Dick's specialty isn't Corvettes, so in order to get you an accurate appraisal, he would come to your house and collect the data and confer with the guy in his association who does specialize in Corvettes.

With that in mind, I have absolutely no doubt that Dick could give you the contact information to an appraiser who is in the area near where the car is, and with the person who is the 'expert' on Lincolns, so that a fair appraisal on the vehicle could be done.

If you can't find him at www.switchboard.com or at www.zabasearch.com, go to the GVACS website, and click on their contact links and someone should be able to put you in contact with him. I know if anyone, former GVACS president Jerry Kier would definately know where to find him. Our next activity is scheduled for three weeks from today, so I don't expect to see him for another 3 weeks, and I don't have his number.

Sorry to hear about the mishap.

Diz, Sorry to hear about what happened.

You could also check with a group of appraisers with I-VAN.

It is a group of people with ties to the AACA and many other clubs.

Here is the link.

http://www.i-van.org/index.htm

Susan, If my memory serves me correctly, I think I-VAN is the association that Dick Barrett is affiliated with.

ex, That might well be the case. If so I know that they will do a good job. Bill and I did the legwork/got detailed photos for a couple appraisals for them here in our area when it was first getting started. One was for a streetrod in a divorce case and one was a pre-purchase assessement.

Dale,

Dick Barrett is affiliated with I-VAN (International Vehicle Appraiser's Network). I called your number and left a message, so if you need anything else, either call me, e-mail me, etc.

Pat and Susan, <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />THANKS <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> for your help in this <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />matter <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.diz

Can you name the car hauler? If not in open forum, could you PM me??