Advice on selling 69 GS

[Guest afc57]

I need some advice on selling a car. I?m thinking about selling my 1969 GS 400 convertible. I am the second owner of the car (my father originally owned the car). It has less than 45,000 miles on it. It needs work to bring it back to showroom condition (paint, roof, engine work, etc.). But overall, the car is in good shape for a car that is almost 40 years old and is basically completely original, so it has all matching numbers. There were less than 2000 convertibles made that year so there cannot be very many around that are in this restorable of shape.

If I decide to end up selling the car, I?m having a hard time coming up with a selling price. I?d appreciate if someone could give me some advice/guidance on the two following questions:

How do a determine what to sell the car for in today?s market?

What is the best way to go about selling the car?

Here is a link that has pictures of the car:

web page

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Pete Phillips]

There are several old car price guides that you could look at, but often the hard part is coming up with a fair assessment of the car's condition, in order to use the price guides properly. Old Cars Price Guide is sold on many news stands, but I think its values tend to be a little high. www.nada.com is another one. Manheimgold.com is another.

You have a nice, rare, unmolested car that is worth major bucks. It is nice to see a high-performance, mid-sized convertible that still has its original radio, original tri-shield floor mats, and no hot-rod modifications. I live in the South, and the usual owner around here jacks up the rear end, cuts the door panels for extra radio speakers, cuts a new hood scoop into the hood, puts loud 3" exhausts on it, and paints flames on the front fenders. Ugh.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Sherman, TX

[pphil]

BUICK GRAN SPORT 400 400-340hp (8cyl-4V) AT

#5 #4 #3 #2 #1

2dr Conv 2625 5950 11600 16725 22775

2dr Hdtp 1375 4550 9000 13725 19000

Add:

400-360hp (Stage-1) 25%

4spd manual trans 5%

Air conditioning 10%

Power windows 3%

Deduct:

3spd manual transmission -10%

Manual steering -5%

Bench seat -5%

Column shift -5%

scott

1964 wildcat <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest GRANNYS 70 SKYLARK]

Also depends on where the car "grew up", i.e. rust belt vs southwest car. Why not keep it and restore it yourself? You might regret selling it sometime down the road, take it from someone who's been there.

[JohnD1956]

Free advice....Don't sell...

It was Dad's car? It's going to be worth more to you than to someone else. Plus it looks like it has some nice options. I noticed A/C, power door locks and power windows. It has to have a power top and power brakes too. Right?

But if you do decide to sell I'll give you a few hundred for it.

John D

[Guest ZondaC12]

ahhh ones not enough eh? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mr D, have you put your cars away for their slumber yet? or are you still getting those last few cruises in before the white stuff arrives? i know i still would if mom didnt make me put her away in a rented garage <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

i know its almost november only but i already miss her a lot.

ill tell ya im movin south when im older!!! i know im still gonna be big into this hobby when im older and its not gonna ever annoy me any less to have to put em away!

---sorry all, thread hijack over.

[JohnD1956]

This is a good thought. To keep the thread intact I'll start another.

[Guest imported_Thriller]

It isn't worth anything...you need to send me the title and I'll arrange to haul it away for you... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Very nice car...wish it were mine...I'm approching that mid-life crisis and could use something like that to help me through it.

[55PackardGuy]

Yeah, Thriller, but it has MY initials on it, so keep away!

'69 was a wonderful year for Buicks. It seemed they pulled out all the stops on quality and refinement. With such low mileage and desireable features--a convertible with AC? wonder how many came with those two options--you'll be able to go for a premium price. Also, I bet the car was special ordered, and since it was in the family, you probably have good documentation.

It sounds like a two-step process would be in order:

First, a thorough cosmetic going-through. I notice you don't have any engine pics--is it clean under there? Underhood detailing is a must, as with the rest of the car. Make sure every little thing works.

Second, put it up for sale with a nice, hefty "firm" price. If you find someone with the money burning a hole in his pocket, maybe you can part with it. No need to hurry!

But most important, DRIVE IT! At 45K, a few more miles will do nothing to affect the price. Enjoy the experience of driving a car that is APPRECIATING in value! And it'll get noticed by more people that way, too. You can bask in their compliments, and at the same time casually let it drop that it's "For Sale" to a good home at the right price.

If you can't get top dollar for it, wait another year and get MORE for it next year! Meanwhile, in nice weather, you'll have fun driving a dream car. I wish I was you...

[Guest gecco]

I have been casually looking at GS convertibles, 69-71. Of course I would prefer a Stage One, but the right car in this age bracket would fit just fine in the garage.

Just to throw a range on the table - it really is hard to tell from a few photos - and keep in mind that all of our opinions are worth what you paid for them - I would say it realistic to expect $12,000 - $16,000 for the car. It looks like an unmolested original and the interior appears to be in good shape. However, white is not the most desirable color for most muscle car collectors, and it really depends on what part of the country you are sitting in (people's opinions, especially on the internet, are based on their own geography).

However, it looks like a nice car, and you've gotten some good advice from some of the others on this forum. Friends will always tell you to keep it, especially if it is a family piece, but no one but you knows the circumstances surrounding your contemplation except you.

If you decide to sell, and establish a price, give me a jingle at gecco@neo.rr.com, especially if you are in the midwest.