Where to sell a '69 Chevelle SS 396?

[LateFan]

An older family friend in a far away state wants to sell his original 69 Chevelle. He doesn't have a computer, doesn't know anything about posting things. He asked my sister-in-law about Craigslist etc, and she of course called me. She can help him take digital photos and post it somewhere for him.

It's an original SS 396/325 hardtop, manual, Lemans Blue, smooth top, with 71,000 mi. He bought it in 1971. He had it re-painted at the dealer in 1976, and it's been covered in his garage since. Doesn't drive it in the summer sun, doesn't drive it in the spring with rocks on the road, never been in rain. Rebuilt 396 in like 1980, and it's had 3000 miles since. Drives it several times a year to keep it up. Has a lot of new spare parts and hoses etc.

So you can picture the guy now.

I'd say according to the Haggerty ratings it's a Condition 3, almost 2, but it's an original DD. Looks to me it's worth $25,000 to 35,000.

So, there are a couple of Chevelle-specific forums with classifieds out there. I think Craigslist isn't a wide enough net, and there are yayhoos out there ready to scam. He's nervous about no experience with ebay and large transactions. (He's a tough guy with a gun so I don't think people would mess with him in person)

Might not be "show car" enough for the hot rod auctions and they probably charge big fees. The "classic car and hot rod" dealers would probably give him a wholesale price and then flip it for way more.

Where should he list it? What should I tell him? I already asked him about specific engine and option packages, condition, etc. He was ready to sell it locally for under $20k. I said wait wait, let's do some more reading on this.

Thanks for any ideas -

[rcsoundn1]

Try looking into Hemmings motor magazine. It has a huge for sale section. Tell him to hold out for what it is worth. No reason to give it away.

http://www.hemmings.com/

[LateFan]

Yeah, Hemmings would be good. I always think the stuff there is way overpriced, so maybe a reasonably priced car would sell faster..? Good photos and OBO?

In theory, eBay is an open flea market auction, and you should get the best price, but...

He does a million fix-it things and remodel stuff for her family all the time, refuses to take any money. Never owned a computer. We want to help him get a decent price.

[LateFan]

Another question -

How do people safely handle a $30,000 private sale? Should he make them come in person to see it and meet at a bank to transfer money?

I imagine it might not be someone local, but someone with a trailer, or someone who wants him put it in a closed transport truck and ship it. He told me he won't let anyone drive it - they can ride with him if they want, but nobody is driving that car without already paying for it.

[XwalkerX]

try 6speedonline and ls1tech or corvetteforums

as for the transaction when I sold my 996 to a private party he came with two verified bank checks (one from his personal account and one from a loan) in addition to his $1k deposit.

I went to the bank that the checks were drafted from to verify they were legit before I signed anything or handed him keys. once they verified them we rolled to my bank and I deposited the checks and he was on his way.

[jalopi]

How do people safely handle a $30,000 private sale? Should he make them come in person to see it and meet at a bank to transfer money?

definitely. it'll be a good opportunity to see his local bank branchs' true colors; if they won't accommodate him for the sale it's a sign that he needs to switch banks. considering he's an older dude you might wanna suggest showing the car at the local police station too.

[mrsleeve]

If I had not just wrote an offer on another house....... I would be bank wiring you 28k right now......


I get a couple of appraisals done by documented appraisers before listing

Fun fact its acctually a 406 in it, but gn never changed the badges fearing a drop in sales from an unproven powerplant

[LateFan]

I thought that was only at the end of the production run....they started to bore them out just a hair. Never heard for sure what the reason was. Maybe the production accuracy was falling off. This is the basic 396/325 (L35?).

[JasonC]

try 6speedonline and ls1tech or corvetteforums.

None of them have anything to do with the car at all...


Besides Craigslist that's the no brainer, try Racing Junk and also look up some Chevelle forums. I know there are some, just don't know the names.

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

I don't know what fees they charge, but Bringatrailer.com is doing auctions for cars now too. It might be option worth looking in to.

[LateFan]

Ah, didn't think of BaT. Always thought of that as invitation only, but now they do auctions.

There are a couple of Chevelle-specific forums - I have them linked at home. That would be an already interested crowd, with maybe active lookers.

[deutschman]

Bring A Trailer?

http://bringatrailer.com/

[LateFan]

The BaT auction is pretty smooth. You submit your car, they decide if it's interesting enough. Flat fee, then buyer pays BaT a fee.

Question on payments again - If he sells it to a distant buyer, who may have it checked out locally but doesn't actually come to see it, how does that payment work? Paypal? What's a safe way for him to accept payment?

That's assuming the buyer sends a shipper, or the seller drops it off at a transport company.

[mrsleeve]

Wire the money to his bank, once funds are clear let the transporter take it..........

Yes there has to be a little trust there, or send it to a trusted escrow service, for a nominal fee...

[JZM3]

Hey, if you're interested in possibly consigning the car with us (Cats Exotics) shoot me an email john@catsexotics.com

Would love to help out a fellow R3v member.

Here's our webpage if you wanna take a look at some of our inventory.

http://www.catsexotics.com/