Amphicar BUYER

A 2x8 is cut from the same logs that a 2x4 or any dimension are cut. The width has nothing to do with better quality. It's simply math. If the width of the log allows a 2x4, a 2x8 and a 2x2 in the same path, that is what gets cut. Same log. I agree that the 2x8 walls are a zero return investment. Put an extra $1k in insulating the roof (always the most significant heat loss culpret), use spray insulation instead of batting or a more efficient heat system, you will be better off.

One thing that I do collect (I suspect this is true for many here) is historical items pertaining to my love of Amphicars. I have been fortunate enough to acquire many one of a kind letters (the order for the specially equipped rescue Amphicars is but one example) and original hand drawn ad proposals for well known ads. I got the anonymous package one day from England. It was a box of those factory letters, super rare items (Like the only one I know of, cloisonne badge in my avatar) and the ads I mentioned. No note no return address other than a UPS store type return address in London. One day all this stuff will go to an Amphicar museum. Not one yet, but I know of at least 2 guys who will make it happen one day. These are the things that make me happy and hopefully one day they will be available to the public.I used much of it to create and share on the club website and sadly due to the shenanigans of a few, this collection is no longer available for anyone to enjoy in that venue.

It seems that sometime things collect me! I had one, yes just one "Martin the Martian" figurine sitting on a shelf. One friend saw that and thought I'd like another. The next friend saw I had 2 of them, now 3. Now 3 makes a collection and next thing I know I have 15 Martins. I didn't buy or ask for a single one of them, but I have a collection none the less. I have a collection of collections collecting other collections collecting dust and room.

Yes, The joint is not meant to go through the entire thickness, it is just like the lines on a chocolate bar, it give a controlled place for the crack to go.

It should have been done while the concrete was wet with a trowel at $0 as part of a professional job). It shouldn't need be cut into cured concrete after the fact.

It doesn't hurt to ask, if you do it with respect and sensitivity, most are open to hear the offer. I bought an Amphicar from the children of the owner. It took 5 years before they agreed to sell. Once they did, I was the only person they contacted because I was respectful and understanding of their loss. It cost nothing to ask and if you don't ask the result will always be a "no sale" at least there is a chance if you ask.

They make these things called "Blinds" I use aluminum blinds so that when I want light, I pull them up or open them appropriately. When closed they do not allow any light or prying eyes. Smaller windows are not conducive to escape should the need arise. You never know where in the building you may be located when in need of escaping, so all windows are large egress type for this reason.Your code may require them. I have heard of people trapped and a horrible death resulted.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said!!! I started following Roger about 1/3 the way into the build. I must have missed that part about paint and upholstery). No words are appropriate for the stunning level he has reached. I would say no more than a handful in history have obtained his level. Many have tried. He is the "gold standard" that any serious scale artist (modeler seems too mundane in this context) would only dream of matching. The only way to improve is to create a running scale engine. I have seen some of those in action, still amazed at the artistry. (picking up my jaw off the desk now)

Probably a dumb question considering your skill level not only tops the charts, it created an entirely new chart! Do you do the paintwork and upholstery too?

I used to write tech manuals for multi-million $ hi-tech equipment that was installed by engineers with EE degrees, yet I had to dumb it down to a 6th grade level. HUMF?

I sold a 1938 Mullins trailer on ePay a year or so ago. I started it out at $50 w/o reserve thinking it would sell itself at the appropriate level. Sadly I had but one bid.... even though the guy generously offered to pay me more upon pickup, I told him I was taught a "deal is a deal" and my word is golden so he got it for the $50 and I watched a $400+ loss drive away into the sunset. Sure I lost in that deal but I look back to other deals I have made stupid money on and I know karma (or car-ma?) comes into play so in the end I am way ahead and I know that this is why I have done $50k deals with a handshake. I have paid more for cars than they were asking on a couple of occasions. One car I paid her over 3x her asking and I sold it for 2x that and kept the spare parts and historical documents that I did not know came with it valued at about what I paid for the car and parts! Another guy I paid him twice his price only to find out that sale saved his family home from foreclosure and the profit I made covered some of my hospital bills from a head-on wreck I was in. That is good karma at work my friends. MY word is my bond. Certainly rare these days, but I sleep well at night and I am 100% certain what goes around comes around. Sometime you just have to be patient for the come around part. I live by my version of the 10 commandments.. #1 - Don't be a douche bag. #2 - #10 -- See #1

Just a few weeks ago I spent 3 hours with a guy who went over every nut and bolt it seemed, we haggled for 45 mins and came to an agreement. I asked for some money and he said "I didn't bring any money" I will say that the language changed quickly to profanity and disgust. My only upside was sitting on my front porch drinking a beer watching him spend 30 mins trying to get his keys out of his truck. He knew better than to ask me for help at that point.

Sadly you are probably under water so to speak. It could cost more than it's worth to pursue it. It's a bad experience but you are not out anything and still have the car to sell. I always demand a reasonable NON-REFUNDABLE deposit before I consider it sold, taking down the ad. If they won'y pony up say $250 or 10%, they are not serious. If they do, put it in writing that it is non-refundable. Once the $250 is in hand (not just the check, it must clear 1st), hold the car for a predetermined amount of time spelled out in the contract. If it's not picked up by then, it goes up for sale again and you have $500 for the trouble. This has worked for me 100% of the time. This weeds out the idiots that will get you to hold the car while they ask mom to co-sign. If you are holding it, then you may be missing a real buyer with cash in hand. I do offer a payment plan as well. 100% down and $0 a month.

As I said, if it's in a tight spot, dollies may be the only way to get it into the sunlight.It still can run and drive well and be on dollies.It could be pickled and in storage too. The fact that the tires are fully inflated and the condition of the car would not scare off any serious buyer. I can tell you that in my storage building, my cars are too close to get your hand in between them. I love my gojacks! It's like those squares you slide around to solve the puzzle. It's great for a theft deterrent too. A dirty car on blocks is an "honest" car. You see what it is like and how it was cared for (or not cared for).

I have a friend who in spite of being educated and a businessman, his spelling is at about <5th grade level. He knows, does nothing about it. He actually thinks it's endearing. What he doesn't seem to care is that there are a number of people who do not do business with him because of his atrocious spelling. It makes him look poorly and gives the impression that he just doesn't care about details which turns people away. The persona you present makes a HUGE difference if someone is doing business with you.I'd love to see him be more successful. I recommend him to people, but with the caveat that they need to know the person behind the email is a grown man, not a 4th grader.

I did find a 30 year old love note from his girlfriend that I returned to the owner. Turned out she had died tragically and the note obviously was a touching memento he hadn't thought of for many a year.

I think it's just sad and embarrassing that we even need spell check. Just like calculators, it has made us lazy... too lazy to learn how to spell and cipher accurately.Especially when it comes to public signage. To mis-spell a car marque at a big show like Pebble Beach.... unconscionable.

Nobody around here did that. Maybe a teenager who also put a lot of stickers and tacky Autozone special add-on junk.

Nothing wrong with the car either on dollys or on blocks. The one on blocks shows it's history. I would rather be the one who pulls it out and washes it. Saves me money and it's history. The one on dollys may have come out of a corner or tight spot. It in no way says anything about the cars condition.

A trunk load of true NOS parts worth more than twice I paid for the car. Oh happy day!

When I was a big part of the Amphicar club, we set up the PayPal account as well, 12 years ago or so. It was easy then as well, no problems. I do understand that the AACA is complex, and maybe I don't understand why. This is good info to put out there when you have time. It does appear to be overly complicated. When the RARE AACA event was anywhere near me, I was asked to not only join the AACA but the local chapters as well. Seemed redundant and a waste of time and money for very little if any benefit. Some uniformity should be implemented between the AACA and the 370 chapters. This will attract member instead of confusing and frustrating them. It's gotta be easier for all involved. Once you are is a less busy time and can explain it, I am sure that you will have a large audience listening. I am also very happy that as not in my previous club, you will provide answers rather than either silence or pathetic excuses. Go enjoy yourself! I may not be a member, but that does not mean I don't value your efforts, time and insight! (hats off to you all)

Attendance requirements; Seems odd that they may complain of lack of funds, yet exclude those who would gladly help fill the coffers yet take nothing in return but to be included. Somebody joining is a participant, maybe not in person, but part of the club none the less. That is a head scratcher to be sure. Online payment; I do not see the problem here. There are several secure ways to pay and ea one can direct the funds to the appropriate specific local club. It could not be easier. Setup a PayPal account, CC or any of the other options. Anything but the print, fill, write, snail mail and wait... wait... wait... This appears to just be either somebody in the local chapter who does not know how to do it and will not educate themselves on how its done or stuck in the 90's (1890s). This is another head scratcher. I hear comments on how to get the next gen involved yet some clubs will willingly exclude them if they happen to have a busy life that does not allow for them to physically participate but have the money to support the club. If you are funding, then you are a participant! To not have online payments, is cutting your own throat. It's the best way to insure they join before they change their mind. It's a fast paced world and you must grab the brass ring while you can and not wait for another go-around lest somebody else gets the ring before you do. It takes a minute or so online, but the process of hard copy and writing a check is more than enough for many to not bother. I have not written an actual check in a couple years, probably fewer than 10 checks in the last 10 years. In fact, I have no idea where my checkbook is! I seriously doubt I have a stamp in my house. Frantz has illustrated clearly why many younger folks are not part of the process. The clubs must evolve past the years of their cars and venture into today's world if you want them to be involved. Taking into consideration that life is very busy for us and if you have a young family, both parents (if you are not a single parent) probably work. The funds can be elusive and time even more elusive. Taking any extra time for archaic practices will leave you behind, far behind until you are no longer.

I always find it odd when they don't post a photo or use a photo taken from the front porch of the car across the street or in a dark garage, under a cover. The others bad ones are they have several pics and not one shows an entire panel let alone the entire car or worse yet, no photos at all. Here is an example (http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5644054519.html) $93k for this Ferrari and not a single photo! I'd bet they had a camera in their hand when they wrote the ad. The title is often a problem, IE saying only "For Sell" (yea I know it's for "sell" (Grrrr) but what is it? These have a price of $1 most of the time. Too lazy means too lazy to take care of the car = POS. The worst are anything from a dealer. You open the ad and wow, a lot of text, could it be a concise ad about the car? Nope, it's all extolling the virtues of the dealer and rarely any specifics about the car only saying "call for details" (I will NEVER call if they can't give me some details, feels very shady) The other side of the coin is I always make a very concise ad with all the info about it. I post photos of all sides, dash, seats (F&R), engine, trunk tires etc. I list all the usual stats (mileage, drive train specifics etc) and invariably the emails start pouring in all asking questions CLEARLY answered in the ad or asking for more photos. Most of my ads have 15-20 photos. I am happy to provide a photo of any specific area if requested. The buyers can be just as frustrating as the idiot sellers.

... a tasty steak and a full belly! Rare doesn't mean anything, it has no value nor meaning regarding cars(or anything). People want to think that something "rare" means valuable. The only thing that makes anything valuable is "desirable" Many times when there are few of an item, it means they were not desirable so few were made or sold. Sometimes after enough time goes by, the undesirable becomes desirable and VOILA! valuable!

Drove to Nebraska to look at an Amphicar that he said he has had for years and just decided to sell but had no idea what to ask for it. Made all sorts of claims as to originality etc. Once I got there the 1st thing I noticed was the stack of ads from autotrader, local paper, craigs list and a couple others. Most from 1 month to 3 years old! All clearly had a price in the ad. About $15k over full retail. One "original" repaint (huh?), many ad lib accessories and incorrect and missing parts, When I went over to him with ads in hand asking why he thought it was OK to lie to me to get me to look at a very overpriced car, he said he thought maybe I would buy it as I knew what they were worth. I said 1st you lied to me about the condition of the car, the fact you have been trying to sell it for 3 years without any offers should tell you you have it over-priced. He got mad and said I didn't know anything about Amphicars and that when I realized my mistake that I would come running back.. Well it's still for sale 5 years later and I have not found my running shoes yet.