smh@mit-eddie.UUCP (Steven M. Haflich) (08/31/83)
An elderly friend wants to sell her one-owner 65K mile 1954 Chevy 6-cyl
automatic. I have driven the car, and it runs well. The only obvious
mechanical problem is an aging and slightly noisy exhaust system. The
car is clean, maintained, with original paint and upholstery, lacking
one piece of chrome trim around a headlamp. (Apparently it was never
driven in New England winters!) We have no idea how to establish a
fair price for the car. While the car is not the usual "classic",
certainly a car this old in such good condition must have some
appreciation value! For obvious reasons, my friend is reluctant to
deal with the hoards of rabid bikers and car buffs [ :-) ] who would
undoubtably swarm around in response to a newspaper ad.
Any advice how to establish a fair price, as well as informed range
estimates, would be appreciated. Also welcome would be suggestions for
how to find appropriate buyers, e.g., pointers at local (Boston area)
old auto fancier clubs.
Replies by mail unless of general interest. Thanks!
Steve Haflich, ...{genrad,mit-vax}!mit-ems!smhwookie@alice.UUCP (09/01/83)
To sell a car of that vintage it is best to advertise in Hemmings Motor News in Bennington, Vt. This is a nationwide publication for real car nuts and willgive you an outlet fro reaching those truly interested in such cars. Old Cars magazine is another way to sell but I do not know their location. It is similar to Hemmings but comes out weekly instead of monthly and is in newspaper format rather then the huge book Hemmings sends you. Anyway these are good ways to get an idea for a price and then a place to advertise. Your next move is to go the either the Hershey auto show in Hershey Pennsylvania (near Harrisburg). Here all kinds of old cars are bought and sold by the thousands . Hershey is for antique cars (25 years old or more) The next Hershey meet I believe is on October 8 or around that weekend. I will try to get an exact date for future posting. The weekend before Hershey is possibly a bigger event at CCarlisle Pennsylvania (also near Harrisburg). This event covers everything Hershey does not so instead of just antique cars you will find cars of every description.....you name it....if it has four wheels and an engine it will be there. This event is usually best done over a period of a couple days since ther is just too much ground to cover in one. Both of these events have huge flea markets sellings everthing you could possibly need for any car. Look into these things as a possibility....I will be going since I have a very very nice RUST FREE 1964 Pontiac Catalina Ventura to sell and I will probably fid an interested party there!! Good luck! Keith Bauer White Tiger Racing