Question on how to sell

[Guest judyann]

Hello.  I'm a little out of my element here. Even though I grew up going to car shows. I'm looking to sell my Dads antique. What's the best way to go about it in Kansas?  Any advice on how, where, how much, is much appreciated.  It's a 1953 Chevy 2 door sedan deluxe.  Completely original.  Even has the original tools, bill of sale etc. My dad is the 2nd owner and it's been garaged other than going to parades and some tours. 

[auburnseeker]

You need to determine the value or value range first.  When was it on the road last? If you post a few photos here we can get you started.  Ultra low mileage survivor type cars do well on a national market.  Rehabbed older common cars are probably best sold through local mediums like craigslist or the local swap sheets/ want ads. 

Get us some photos and we should be able to set you on the right course.

[Guest judyann]

These were taken a few years ago. My husband drove it from Salina, KS to Topeka last summer and then from Topeka to Kansas City to my brothers home last winter. I have interior photos too but need to find them. 

[Guest judyann]

Here's one of the interior.   Thanks!!

[TerryB]

Im pretty sure it's not a 1953 model, 1952 perhaps?

Terry

[Guest Skyking]

Yes, 1952 Chevrolet DeLuxe

[Guest judyann]

You are correct.  My typo! 

[Curti]

I wonder if the seat covers have been on since new? 

[auburnseeker]

Looks like it could be original paint.  Do you know if it's ever been repainted?  A car with original paint especially in that overall condition will have a better value.

[John_S_in_Penna]

Judy Ann, you should find people here in the

Antique Automobile Club of America happy to help.

Antique cars aren't available on every corner lot,

so old-car fans often travel good distances to acquire

a car they want. You shouldn't be surprised that

someone from Minnesota or Ohio might be interested

in your car if it is accurately priced. So don't spend

much (if any) money advertising it locally; any ads you

place should reach a wider (national) audience.

The magazine Hemmings Motor News, and its accompanying

website www.hemmings.com, remain the foremost places

for selling antique cars. While you can place an ad

directly through their website, they are based in Vermont

and you can talk to them at (800) 227-4373 or (802) 442-3101.

Explain that you're new at this, and they should be

very helpful on the phone.

There are many other internet-based selling sites,

but Hemmings is the grand-daddy of them all. An ad

there, for perhaps 6 months, should suffice. Their

prices are reasonable. And any internet ad should include

PLENTY of pictures.

It's a buyer's market for most antique cars, and your

car will have to be fairly priced if it is to generate

interest. Don't judge by others' ASKING prices, as

some (especially from old-car dealers) are sometimes

even double a car's value!

A useful price guide book is the

"2016 Collector Car Price Guide":

http://www.amazon.com/2016-Collector-Car-Price-Guide/dp/144024457X

It's the annual book-format guide of Old Cars Report Price Guide,

which is in magazine format every 2 months on newsstands.

That is probably the most widely used pricing guide.

On the internet, www.hagerty.com has a pricing function.

Hagerty is a major, well-respected insurer of antique cars.

In the hobby, your car is probably a #3 condition car.

(Or if it's all-original and just needs polishing, it may be

a tad better. It's hard to tell from photos.) Old Cars Report Price Guide

started that numbering system, which is widely recognized among

car fans. In that system, #1 is a perfect award-winning car

that has no flaws and is trailered to shows; a #3 condition car

may look perfect from 20 feet away, but has stone chips, perhaps

some wear on the driver's seat, chrome that is a little weathered,

a dirty engine bay, etc. #6, the lowest category, is so damaged

and weathered that it is useful only for parts.

All the best to you on your sale!

Edited October 19, 2015 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[60FlatTop]

Hello.  I'm a little out of my element here

 That reminded me of another famous quote from a Kansas girl.

Bernie

[John_S_in_Penna]

Antique-car sellers have found Craig's List

(on the internet) useful too. While its ads

are grouped locally, there are several search-engines

that search Craig's List nationally, thereby making

that site fruitful for antique-car sellers.

One fault of Craig's List, I think, is that

its ads are quite short-lived. You may

have to re-list your car after your ad expires.

Edited October 19, 2015 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Guest judyann]

Thanks everyone for your input. I very much appreciate the advice on pricing and advertising.  I had forgotten about Hemming...I remember Dad had those gold or tan colored books when I was a kid.

 

 Some asked if paint and upholstery were original. I know the paint is and I don't remember Dad ever having upholstery done. He always said the car was all original.

 

Thanks again! 

[John_S_in_Penna]

All-original (unrestored) cars are more appreciated

nowadays, even if the car isn't perfect. People would

rather see, for instance, the interior that Chevrolet

installed in 1952--its pattern, stitching, details, etc.--

than an identical interior that Al Smith's Upholstery put in in 1995.

If your car is all original, then be sure to note that in the ad.

Even if it's MOSTLY original, that is a plus.

A serious car hobbyist's interest would be piqued.

And while someone may want to check the original fabric,

I personally would leave those old-fashioned seat covers on.

While not as much appreciated today, if they are from

the 1950's, they're a part of the car's history, too.

And (I'm guessing here) your car in all-original

condition might be worth an extra 10% or 20%.

Edited October 19, 2015 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)