1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible

[Eric Killorin]

1955 Packard Caribbean convertible. Stored since 1973. One of 500. Needs restoration. Located in California. More photos and price info at Olympian Cars.

[George Smolinski]

I know you want people to visit your website, but I believe the rules here state that you're supposed to include a price with your ad.

[keiser31]

I would guess that 90% of the people here do not want to go to a link for information. I know I won't.

[Eric Killorin]

A serious buyer will visit the link, even just to view additional pix. 

[old car fan]

link will not work for me

[Taylormade]

Went to the link, saw the price, chuckled, left the site.

[auburnseeker]

Price is, in almost all deals, the first question a buyer wants to know the answer to.  Even Millionaires have a price in mind they are willing to pay for anything,  be it cars, real estate , or art.  You don't usually get to be a millionaire by spending your money foolishly. 

Why are sellers so secretive of price?

[George Smolinski]

Keiser & Auburn,

You don't have to go to the other site. I'll help you out -

1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible

$24,500.00

1955 Packard Caribbean convertible barn find. Stored since 1973. Requires restoration. From the seller of the 1926 Nash. 

 

The seller's father received the Packard from the Studebaker-Packard dealership in Los Angeles. It was missing the hood scoops, the back seat, the twin 4 barrel manifold, carburetors and air cleaner.  Over the years, the seller's son has managed to locate replacement hood scoops, a rear seat from a sedan to be modified for a convertible and an original cast iron intake manifold. The matching Rochester carburetors, air cleaner and some stainless steel trim is not included with the vehicle. The original right front fender (not shown) is included, however.

The currently installed engine is from another vehicle and is not part of the purchase; the original engine is included. The seller's father began a conversion to a standard shift 3-speed transmission using all Packard parts from other models (the last of the Detroit-built senior Packards had unreliable Ultramatic transmissions). 

 

Only 500 of these 1955 Convertibles were produced, all convertibles. This example is number 388. The colors are an attractive white, coral and onyx. The Packard came from Needles, CA and therefore always in a dry climate.

 

A rare opportunity to acquire a highly sought after example of the legendary Packard marque!

[alsancle]

Projects cars are always overpriced relative to buying the restored car.  We just had this conversation about the 53 Skylark.  This car will find a buyer in the teens,  Caribbeans have a great following.   We sold a running driving 53 project car for 25k 10 years ago.  I think the 55/56 bring more money than the 53/54.

[alsancle]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Packard-Caribbean-convertible-/222492059788

 

Here is a comparable although the ad has two sentences that make me run for the hills generally:

 

1.  Listing for a friend.

 

2.  Owner got in trade doesn't know much about Packards.

 

Translation:  You are on your own if you step up and buy this because we aren't telling you anything about it.

 

 

Edited April 29, 2017 by alsancle (see edit history)

[Jeff Perkins / Mn]

AMEN Alsancle!!

Edited April 29, 2017 by kking15 (see edit history)

[brasscarguy]

Do you think,the real reason they don't post the price is they know its way over priced and would scare a real collector away so they do the tease to get you to look at their site and see other overpriced cars and lots of photos of cars no longer available. I just wonder why not be up front and follow the rules here and post your asking price?

 

just wonderin'

 

brasscarguy

 

I

[Guest]

51 minutes ago, brasscarguy said:

Do you think,the real reason they don't post the price is they know its way over priced and would scare a real collector away so they do the tease to get you to look at their site and see other overpriced cars and lots of photos of cars no longer available. I just wonder why not be up front and follow the rules here and post your asking price?

 

just wonderin'

 

brasscarguy

 

I

BINGO!

[Guest]

8 hours ago, Eric Killorin said:

A serious buyer will visit the link, even just to view additional pix. 

....and a serious seller would not be afraid to list the price.

Edited April 29, 2017 by Guest (see edit history)

[George Smolinski]

7 hours ago, brasscarguy said:

Do you think,the real reason they don't post the price is they know its way over priced and would scare a real collector away so they do the tease to get you to look at their site and see other overpriced cars and lots of photos of cars no longer available. I just wonder why not be up front and follow the rules here and post your asking price?

 

just wonderin'

 

brasscarguy

 

I

I've seen overpriced project cars here & overpriced restored or original cars here. Maybe that's why every so often they get bumped to the top & we very rarely see one sold here.

[edinmass]

 I'm going to chime in even though I probably shouldn't.  Being a prewar guy I don't have an opinion as to value.  Somebody above posted that the car was worth in the teens.  Asking price is 24.  We will assume they left some room to negotiate.  What we're looking at here is a reasonably rare post war car. Want to bet that there are very few unrestored examples of the current survivors? I don't think the price is out of line.  A poorly restored car is much more expensive to bring back to new then a rougher original or barn find.  Maybe somebody is looking for a retirement project.  If the price were $100,000  then it would be fair to say it's overpriced.  I am quite sure the car will find a home, and the new owner will have a great project. Lots of people go to the casino and drop 10 or 20 grand and think nothing of it. If someone pays a few thousand dollars extra (someone else's opinion) for a car they like what's the big deal?  Does anybody here try to sell their car and price it at the low end of the value spectrum? As a seller do you under rate the condition of the car as to offer an exceptional value to the next owner? While I prefer to see prices posted here, there WAS a link that works and clearly described the car, its condition, and price. I think most of this thread is unjustified. I don't know the owner of the car, and I do know the broker. He is a fair and decent car guy, well known in the hobby, and is representing the car and it's owner. Price is only one consideration in the purchase of a car, and trust me on this, if it's the most important consideration when making a purchase, you probably are going to end up with an unsatisfactory vehicle. 

 

By by the way, notice the original poster uses his full name, and photo? I would also, but after fifteen years I hesitate to change it. But I often end my posts with my name. Ed Minnie

Edited April 29, 2017 by edinmass (see edit history)

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

17 hours ago, Eric Killorin said:

A serious buyer will visit the link, even just to view additional pix. 

 

       Really! A serious seller should follow the forum rules, especially after being advised.

 

  Ben

[alsancle]

1 hour ago, edinmass said:

By by the way, notice the original poster uses his full name, and photo? I would also, but after fifteen years I hesitate to change it. But I often end my posts with my name. Ed Minnie

 

The price wasn't a secret so I don't really have any problem with it.  Also, the point you made about being unmolested vs a crappy resto is spot on.   The moniker was short sighted though considering you could end up being edInGeorgia or EdInArizona,  or EdInPrison, etc.

[Eric Killorin]

Thanks, Ed Minnie!

[Eric Killorin]

Well, much to ponder in reader comments! Wasn't aware of the forum rules to include price, my bad. She's available for $24,900 and offers are cheerfully entertained. Thanks, Eric

[trimacar]

I agree with Ed on his comments, there's no reason to attack a seller, regardless of how he or she prices their cars.  Yes, we all have our opinions on values, but should keep them to ourselves.  I'm guilty of overreacting to a price, too, but will try to be fair....

 

And, if it's truly a car you want and can have fun with, either to restore or use, then price should NOT be the first consideration.

 

As to the Forum "rule" about including pricing, is that a real, stated, rule, and if so, where would I read it?  Or is it just the wish of the majority of active members on the forum?

 

Personally, I think that any "for sale" topic should be locked except to the original listing person, there's really no reason to beat up on sellers, and any question one might have, if really serious, can be PM'd or emailed or called....

[edinmass]

5 hours ago, alsancle said:

 

The price wasn't a secret so I don't really have any problem with it.  Also, the point you made about being unmolested vs a crappy resto is spot on.   The moniker was short sighted though considering you could end up being edInGeorgia or EdInArizona,  or EdInPrison, etc.

Gee......EdinPrison???? Only if I steal your Stutz speedster..........but then again, they would have to catch me! THAT will NOT be easy. I always drive them like I stole them..........ask Big Al!

[auburnseeker]

The link didn't work for me.  Just as it may have not for others.  It's always best to just put all the important stuff directly on here,  then if you have say 100 photos a link for all the extras would probably be fine but best to put the important angles on here to wet the buyer's appetite.  

I ,like others probably, lose interest fast when the link doesn't work.  there are so many fish in the sea,  you really need to use the biggest net to get the best catch.  Attention spans are really short now a days.  Just like a book you need to catch the attention before you get past the first page so the buyer is drawn in and has to have that car before they stop reading about it. 

Good luck with the sale.  I had a nice rechromed bumper for it,  that a friend took and was going to sell.  Last time i talked to him,  he left it outside so long under the eaves it was being stuck on the curb for the recyclers as the plating was all starting to peel.  

Same guy that bought a very pricey 34 Ford Rechromed grille,  took it out of his trunk,  loaded some other crappy parts in the bottom then drove off with it sitting against a tree.  Someone scored a nice free grille.  It of course wasn't there when he went back. 

[roysboystoys]

4 hours ago, trimacar said:

I agree with Ed on his comments, there's no reason to attack a seller, regardless of how he or she prices their cars.  Yes, we all have our opinions on values, but should keep them to ourselves.  I'm guilty of overreacting to a price, too, but will try to be fair....

 

And, if it's truly a car you want and can have fun with, either to restore or use, then price should NOT be the first consideration.

 

As to the Forum "rule" about including pricing, is that a real, stated, rule, and if so, where would I read it?  Or is it just the wish of the majority of active members on the forum?

 

Personally, I think that any "for sale" topic should be locked except to the original listing person, there's really no reason to beat up on sellers, and any question one might have, if really serious, can be PM'd or emailed or called....

 

I agree with your statements. Most other forums lock the post of for sale items.

You can always start a post in general discussion section.

It's a rare car , someone has dreamed of owning one.

The owner ( seller) and the buyer will determine the worth.

This is my favorite forum , but some guys can be " harsh"

[Ozstatman]

5 hours ago, trimacar said:

As to the Forum "rule" about including pricing, is that a real, stated, rule, and if so, where would I read it?  Or is it just the wish of the majority of active members on the forum?

 

Personally, I think that any "for sale" topic should be locked except to the original listing person, there's really no reason to beat up on sellers, and any question one might have, if really serious, can be PM'd or emailed or called....

 

As far as I'm aware there is NO Forum rule to include price!

 

The closest there is to that is a SUGGESTION that price be included in the post(along with other suggestions).

 

Seems the "suggestions" have ascended to a higher level and have become "commandments"?

 

You can read this in the first "pinned" post at the head of this Forum, link - http://forums.aaca.org/topic/70563-avoid-scams-please-read-buysell-forum-suggestions-buyers-and-sellers-please-read/

 

It also states: "It is NOT okay for forum users to make negative comments on a seller's listing, nor is it okay to question its asking price."

 

[wayne sheldon]

WOW !!!! And the guys on the model T club forum think WE get into p!$$!ng matches!

Sorry, I have had a really difficult week, and getting worse. I needed a chuckle. Thanks folks.

[suchan]

I've found the discussions about a listing to be very educational, but beating up on a poster is bad form. We've all got opinions, but I try to filter what I write online by asking myself if what I'm writing is something I'd say to the recipient's face.

99.9% of cars in the Packard's condition are never going to be moneymakers for a buyer even if they're given away, but it is a high-value car, and for someone with a burning desire to restore that model car, there may be at least a basis for negotiation. 

 

[60FlatTop]

This is a rough bunch to sell a car to. Most of them already have more cars than they need. And they are quite critical. I try to make comments that reflect the humor in the over seriousness. It works sometimes, mostly it makes me smile.

 

I have actually put ads in the newspaper in pre-computer days that stated "Buyers need not be serious." What kind of seller would deny a person their time when the non-serious might tell a serious friend? (Well, I do know the kind.)

My concern is scaring off the serious buyer at the beginning of the fishing trip. First impression sticks.

 

I remember the first time I encountered the "serious buyer" issue verbally. In the late 1980's I bought a real nice 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. It was on a lot and the owner's personal, pet car, listed at something like $4500 at the time in the old Auto Trader. I looked it over after a Friday fish fry and went back during business hours. I looked it over to the point of test drive, That's when he asked "Are you serious about buying it?". With all the bearing of my ancient bardic and druid heritage I firmly responded "Are you serious about selling it?" That leveled the playing field. He knew it was sold if he unscrewed his skull cap and dumped out a little BS while I was out driving. I think I paid something like $3300 or $3500. I never remember the price I paid for the really good cars, but to the nickle on the ones I have to resell.

 

I think there are an equal number of non-serious buyers AND non-serious sellers out there. As a seller, if I cast the bait out and score, I don't party alone. I call that sport selling, ahhhh, the discretionary sale!

 

Bernie

[auburnseeker]

One thing with allowing comments.  It keeps cars that might otherwise be buried on page 4 already,  at the top of the list and most likely to be looked at by someone who just found the site.  I know I rarely go back more than a few pages on a site when I look for cars,  unless I'm scouring for something very particular,  that's not real easy to find. 

[Eric Killorin]

But wait there's more...