TTR
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Posts posted by TTR
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2 hours ago, joe_padavano said:
People don't have to be on-line to be complete liars. There have been many, many bogus, mis-represented cars at big name auctions, for example.
I've been saying it for years/decades, but 9 (or more) out of 10 cars presented for sale through auctions, regardless of the house or venue, likely have enough issues/problems they'd be difficult or nearly impossible to sell (for reasonable money) directly/privately when buyer(s) have a chance for in-depth pre-purchase inspections and test-drives.
I couldn't tell how many buyers/owners (usually first-timers) of multi-six figure cars I've met over the years and whom have later privately admitted having had made a mistake (sometimes a huge) by buying theirs at an auction, sight unseen or without personally vouched for/properly recommended PPI (Personally, I wouldn't trust any "online appraisers/inspectors" if my life depended on it and they offered a full money back guarantee).
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30+ years ago, before I got a stupid idea to open my own restoration shop, I spent 4-5 years buying, selling & brokering hundreds (close to 1000 ?) of (vintage) cars.
Many transactions were done sight unseen, involved International shipping and transfers of funds, mainly between Europe & US, but also Asia, Africa, South America, etc and with exception of maybe 1 or 2, all went quite smoothly.
Mind you that I was just a young, long haired punk with barely a middle school education, self taught in English (and couple of other non-native-to-me languages) and operating from a base +/- 6000 miles away from were I was born and raised. Oh, and didn't even have a bank account anywhere in the world.
But basically, if you can't inspect the car (or it's documents) in person or have them inspected by someone you explicitly trust and anything gives you a slightest uneasiness or worry, walk away.
There are tens of millions of vintage cars out there and the right one for you with easy transaction will come along.
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11 hours ago, Billy Kingsley said:
Did you remove your own appendix? Drill your own cavities? I'm guessing you went to an expert rather than doing it yourself.
I actually have performed some minor medical procedures on myself and couple of (car guy) buddies in our youth. Some were things most doctors probably wouldn’t attempt to do to themselves.
For the few surgeries I’ve received over the years, I’ve always asked if they would prop up a mirror and keep me awake enough so I could watch what they’re doing or at least, video record it all.
Not because I didn’t trust their work, but merely because I was very interested in the mechanical/technical part of the “procedure”, how the effected “part” was before/after and more so, I was really interested to see what I look like inside.On the other hand, just because someone is perceived as an “expert” doesn’t necessarily mean he/she can provide better or even reasonably good service at whatever the given field of that “expertise” relates to, be it automotive, medical or …
As for doing the work on my own cars, well that’s how I got started with this hobby and it eventually evolved into the profession I’ve had 30+ years and counting. And being mostly a one-man ensemble, I still do most of the work on clients cars myself also (although would love to find good help to employ).
Ironically, after 30+ years and tens of thousands of miles, my Roadster engine suffered a considerable failure week ago Sunday, but being that I’m nearly overwhelmed with client work, I don’t have time to deal with myself. Luckily, a good friend (hands-on builder) stopped by the next day and volunteered to assist with my engine.
Now I just hope my trusted machine shop and parts suppliers can come through in timely manner since my wife has made plans and reservations for a few day road trip (in the Roadster) up to the Sierras in about a month from now.
And someone mentioned or made a reference to my ENJOYMENT of old cars by DRIVING them being lesser part of the hobby than research, collecting parts, working on the car (indefinitely?), etc.
Well, while all important parts of the process, research, parts, hands-on work, etc, only represent means to an end, which is to have a great and fully functional car to ENJOY by DRIVING as it was originally intended.
For me, building or owning cars without actually using them for their originally intended purpose is like building a great garage/shop but never put anything into it, buying/having/making custom tailored clothing or shoes but never wear them, “collecting” rare whiskeys or wines but never drink them or having a beautiful/hot/lovely girlfriend(s)/wife but never sleep with her/them, etc…
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28 minutes ago, Restorer32 said:
Having restored both '53 and ' 54 Skylarks …. …expensive to restore.
…like most all post-war (American) cars, especially higher-end and more luxury oriented ones, regardless of year, make, model, body style, etc.
The labor time and parts costs to restore a 4-dr Sedan is close to identical to those of a convertible and sometimes former may even require more of both than latter.
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3 hours ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said:
Well, gee whiz, only "FAMOUS" person I have met was a nice guy. Moved him from Indiana to Coronado Island, California. The case of his Orville Redenbacher pop corn he tipped me with lasted a couple years.
Ben
Well, in my case, those pop corns would last forever (untouched), unless I handed them to my wife or anyone else who likes them. 😉
Now, if someone tips me with a case of good cigars, wine or whisky, all usually gets consumed in reasonably rapid manner. 🥸
As for them “FAMOUS” people, whenever I mention various individuals I’ve encountered through this hobby or have done business with over the years/decades, someone almost always asks me “You actually know so-and-so ?” to which I inevitably reply with “Yes, I guess you could say that, but more importantly, so-and-so knows me !”.
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54 minutes ago, Pete O said:
Because here in the US we... ... somehow think that celebrities are more important and ... ....****ball player ...
We have idol worship here, except instead of a golden calf, it's actors and athletes.
Yeah, another strange/weird (to me) expression of idolizing, although probably a bit more universal, is when someone's wearing his/her favorite sports team (game) shirt with an athletes name on it.
To me, it just gives an appearance of the person (proudly ?) wearing it having been a one-night(?) bedmate or a muse for that athlete who then gave his (used/sweaty ?) shirt as a token memento (This scenario actually happened long ago to a friend of mine's sister-in-law, who went out with a "famous" baller, although she didn't wear the shirt in public).
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And then there are unexpected(?) consequences to some cars "celebrity" statuses, like several years ago, while I was walking with a friend through a row of cars at a show and we came across one, few decades old car, which was of make/model commonly known to have be chauffeur driven.
It was crowded by a small group of (mostly) guys viewing the rear seat area through an open RH rear door.
After hearing someone mentioning the name of the original "celebrity" owner known for or at least perceived having been a quite the ladies man (& philanderer ?) and seeing the cars interior looking likely to be mostly original, I commented out loud to my friend that "there's a car one probably shouldn't take home and show the rear interior to his girlfriend or wife under a black/UV light".
I couldn't tell how many "Eeeyw !"s we heard right after, but there was a lady in that crowd who started gagging fairly violently...
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2 hours ago, 8E45E said:
The ONLY way I'd pay an extra cent for a vehicle is it it was one I previously owned and desparately wanted back. So far, I don't want any of my previous rides that I have sold back.
Craig
I have a client who few decades ago sold (for emotional, not financial reasons) 10+ cars from his collection, only to wanting many of them back (again, for emotional reasons) a decade or two later and for couple of examples, paid multiple what he had received at the time of selling them.
Most of these, his previously owned, meticulously maintained cars had suffered (typical) neglect in the hands of next custodian-/ownerships , i.e. lack of proper maintenance, storage, etc. and were nowhere near the condition he had kept them or had them restored to and therefor not worth buying back since they would’ve required full restoration again, including some he had bought new and were maintained in “like new” condition until he sold them.
P.S. Of all cars I’ve ever owned, there’s only one I’d like to have back, but fortunately I have nearly identical twin to it, so the desire to get the other back is strong enough to pursue.
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1 hour ago, ejboyd5 said:
If you a fortunate enough to have an aluminum or alloy bodied car stone damage can be a real concern.
Could also mean it may not be a right car for that person…
… or perhaps that person is not a right owner for such a car ?
One of the coolest things I've ever seen was over 50 years old lightweight alloy bodied race/sports car still with its original paint and other finishes and each of its fender had small upward pointing dings and dents in various sizes. And mind you that this was a multi seven figure car, one of the only handful ever made and last one existing in it's original form and finishes.
Unfortunately, I've heard rumors it having changed hands within last few years and also having been subjected to a complete restoration.
Probably now doesn't look anything like when it was new, but instead just another over-restored trailer queen intended for pathetic existence of static display trophy wh**e. 😞
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Based on my (limited) experience and observations, fascination & willingness to pay premium, sometimes surprisingly high, for “celebrity” owned vehicles (or other things) has always seemed more common in the US than elsewhere and I’ve often wondered why.
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For what it’s worth, but for 100+ years, hundreds of millions (billions ?) of cars, some with undercoating, some without, have been and continue to be subjected to this everyday.
I imagine vast majority of drivers or owners (including me) do not nor have ever considered it a “concern”.
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Due to climate of the location, inland Southern California, only humidity concern in my shop is to maintain +/-70% RH along with +/-70 degree temperature inside the cigar humidor. 😉
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Dave, you may also consider keeping in mind that just about single hit with a hammer, including those very carefully and strategically planned and executed will likely continue to stretch the sheet metal already stretched by the impact of the collision.
Mere use of force will not be enough to regain its original shape or structural integrity and perhaps something the adjustor took into account when compiling his/her original estimate of +/-28K… -
9 hours ago, mike6024 said:
Lot # T94
The seller will cover $1500 for hood replacement plus painting. It was bent in the staging area.
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Well, these images do appear more like taken at a three ring circus rather than used car sales event, although not much.
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On 9/10/2021 at 6:37 PM, Trulyvintage said:
Same applies for auto transport.… and many other things in life, so choose/pay accordingly.
While I used to have my own enclosed trailer to transport some of my own jobs, I decided to sell it and now have couple of “trusted” transporters I’ve been using for few years, yet still have couple of clients who prefer(?) to pay extra so that I’m present during loading or unloading of their vehicles, whether I ride along with the transporter or meet them at whatever destination.
And if these transporters aren’t available, we’ll just wait until they are…Yet, another client with 30+ car “collection” (and yes, I choose to use “that” word very carefully) about 100 miles away from my shop, but doesn’t want his cars transporter in any enclosed carriers, because years ago he had an unfortunate experience involving a newly acquired (super nice, unrestored, 2-owner pre-war) car and he became a bit neurotic about the process.
OTOH, having full time, in-house staff attending his cars and the fact that cars from the collection aren't usually displayed in any public events/shows, it’s not often they need transportation.
On those rare occasions, like when something is brought to my shop, etc. they prefer a local to them guy with a flatbed truck.
Last time a car (all which are always maintained “not-even-a-single-fingerprint” spotless) was brought to me, it got drenched in heavy downpour, immediately requiring 1-2 dozen hours of deep cleaning and detailing at my end to eliminate/prevent water spots, etc before I could even start working on the actual issues the car was brought in for.
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12 hours ago, TAKerry said:
Not trying to sound like an......well you know what, But dont you think that maybe you should have tried the car out before buying as opposed to asking how many thousands of people that you dont know and they dont know you if they think that you will fit into a car? Sounds a bit ridiculous to me. If youre trying to tell us you just bought a Packard, then just say so and congrats. Otherwise go sit in the car and see if you fit!!
Come on now, you’re expecting people to use common sense and logic instead of interweb forums for serious questions they have. What on earth are you thinking ? 🙄
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1 hour ago, 60FlatTop said:
That's like describing a circus.
... or made-for-TV-classic-car-auction ?
Full disclosure: I haven't watched TV for +/- 30 years, let alone anything described as "Reality (???) TV" which I suspect these auction shows are part of.
Life's too short with plenty of vintage cars to pre-occupy my limited time.
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2 hours ago, edinmass said:
NOPE- Bailment for hire, happened in ordinary care and use for the bailment..........it's the car owner's risk. That's what they say "first thing, let's kill all the lawyers!" - I agree!
Opening and closing hood, doors, trunk, and operation of the car are all normal expected hands on inspection at any auction. Only ordinary care is required.......which means almost nothing.
Exactly, ...
... and one of many reasons why I've always advised my clients not to submit their cars to auctions, especially if it's something rare and in relatively exceptional condition but with known potential to sell well privately.
Most people, including old car enthusiast, while often enamored by the spectacle of the bling and glitter (read smoke and mirrors) at auction settings, especially in those made-for-TV-entertainment*, tend to forget or not even realize some simple facts, like that while the cars are at such public venue, just about anyone can do almost whatever they want with them (even purposely break something or steal parts off them) AND that at least 9 out of 10 cars in these auctions are there because they wouldn't pass muster and be difficult to sell privately (as potential buyers could/would insist on test drives and/or perhaps more in-depth/thorough PPI's, etc...
* For these, "Nielsen Ratings" are much more important than actual sales figure results, as long as it all looks good on TV.
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8 minutes ago, joe_padavano said:
... virtually none of the "brand name" parts are made in the US any more anyway..
+ 1
.. and very likely that the actual part is made by same manufacturer/factory (likely in C***a or T****n), regardless of who's ("brand name" or not) box it is in.
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1 hour ago, SC38DLS said:
TRR I will see what I can do to make a certificate. I am not much of an artist, maybe Walt can help me out with something. I’ll work on it in the next few months. There is an old saying “I would rather owe you than cheat you out of it”. That applies here so someday I am sure you will collect.
dave sDave, there’s absolutely no need to take my (intended) joke seriously. 😳
You already indicated in your initial topic post that no awards were being offered or forthcoming.If anything, I’ll be pleased if you (as Ed said) are being “made whole” after this unfortunate event and lackluster communications by your insurer.
Besides, any award or certificate would just end up in the same place as those before it/them…
(actually I have couple that may seem like nothing to most, but for me they mean more than if I were to win BoS at Pebble, Cavallino Classic, Villa d’Este, etc.)
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BTW, now that this is settled, where do I go or who do I need to see about my "bragging rights" certificate ? 🙄
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Yet another perfect example of several common misnomer(s), including “Collection/collector” instead of more accurate/typical “hoard/hoarder” and “barn find” without the actual barn …🙄
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45 minutes ago, SC38DLS said:
TTR & Roger. I know the insurance co just wants out at best possible loss for them. My concern is they put a fix cost at $28480 but won’t tell me how they arrived at that figure. I know I can buy the parts available (all but the right fender) for around $1700 and get the rt fender fixed and both fenders painted for another $2500. I will have to do work but it’s basically replacing sheet metal. So my cost will be about $4300. Let’s say they have a shop do it at double that figure for labor. That’s a total of $8600. How can the cost be anywhere near $28000! That’s my reason for concern. They won’t tell me what it covers because the agent assigned to my claim doesn’t know and has no paperwork other than the total, they say SC doesn’t need a title for antique cars when it is required. I don’t have a buy back number as agent has no paperwork again. All of the ads and info on the web site say how good they are and no hassle on claims. Go to FAQ on the site and all you get is “page deleted” ( this was last night and again this am - they may have just been having problems but it not very professional for it to be down for over 18 hours)
This will get resolved but it’s the lack of clear communication from a company that prides itself on being a good family owned antique car insurance co (that by the way is being sold to a Corp) that just gets me upset.
Hell, at my age I don’t have time to waste on incompetence!
dave sSorry to point this out:
For you, all this is obviously fairly emotional/personal/upsetting concern, but for your insurance carrier/provider (regardless of who they are or how they "market"/"present" themselves), all this (including you) is just figures and statistics.
Being upset or stressed over this is not helpful nor likely to chance the outcome, whatever it may be.
If anything, like my earlier comment about mine and my clients experience, making you frustrated during this process, will likely help them to get you to accept whatever they offer in the end.
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I'm by no means an expert on insurance policies, but to my limited understanding of "Agreed Value" compensation would be that in case the car gets "totaled" by the carrier will pay off (in full) according to that "Agreed Value", which in OPs case appears to be $15,000.-. Then, they (the carrier) will issue some kind of salvage value for the "totaled" (i.e. damaged) remains of the vehicle and usually offer the owner a choice of retaining said "wreckage" by deducting it's salvage value from the total pay-off of "Agreed Value".
The repair estimate of $28,480.00 by insurance adjuster or a third-party appraiser in itself doesn't necessarily in this case mean anything else than setting the bar high enough for the carrier to opt out for "Agreed Value" pay-off ($15,000.00), allowing them to walk away.
OTOH, this may eventually affect OP's ability to retain a new policy from the provider (Hagerty ?), even if for a different vehicle.
I would seek advise from some experienced/trained local insurance agent by having him/her look at the policy details.
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Cars Formerly Owned by Famous People
in General Discussion
Posted
Being how he’s perceived by many and rumors of potential “conquests”, you may not want to take black/UV light to the rear seat area of that car either. 😉