Why not sell?

[Crush]

Given the crazy prices folks are getting right now, what keeps you from selling your vehicles? It seems to me the bubble will burst and then many cars will be sold for less. Just curious on everyone’s perspective?

[x33rs]

I'm not in it for the money, although seeing the crazy prices makes me feel good, I'm not interested in selling anything. We daily drive a couple of them (wife and I) although the prices I'm seeing for 69 Z/28's lately has me thinking that maybe she shouldn't be using that as her daily anymore, lol.

But I'd have to find another classic for her to drive, and frankly with prices the way they are I'm not really interested in buying something either. She loves her camaro, and if I were smart I'd just build her a clone and park the Z, but even base 69's are crazy.

We are just classic car people to the core, don't own a new vehicle, and don't plan to. We are in it because we enjoy it. Besides, if I sold them I wouldn't have any transportation to drive, lol.

[GrumpyJeff]

If the bubble burst ,the bubble burst ! I 'll still have and drive the Cars i always dreamed off when i was younger and couldn't afford them. And even at what crazy cash Ive been offered within the last year or so for either. I'm pretty sure i could not come close to replacing them with something as nice for the same amount of $. Will i regret not selling them now 2021/2022 as i get closer to thinking about retirement ? Probably ?

[scuncio]

I think about it from time to time as I'm sitting on 6 old cars at the moment, but I've never had the motivation to sell any of these 6 (although I've bought and sold countless other cars). I'll still look for opportunistic deals, but these 6 are a part of me. I realize not everyone thinks this way, but it's my perspective.

[GrumpyJeff]

I think about it from time to time as I'm sitting on 6 old cars at the moment, but I've never had the motivation to sell any of these 6 (although I've bought and sold countless other cars). I'll still look for opportunistic deals, but these 6 are a part of me. I realize not everyone thinks this way, but it's my perspective.

Exactly ! "Part of Me" I Get that , I don't Hunt, I dont Play Golf, But I do get attached to my Cars

[Tommy]

It's tempting sometimes until I think of the weirdo that will show up and irritate me... Then I find out it's got a LS engine and 22" "hoops" 6 months later.

Tommy

[Zedder]

I sold my 67 Camaro this month, but it had nothing to do with the current bubble as it doesn’t appear to impact cars in Canada as much and I didn’t make any money on it. I’m turning 60 in a few months and I’m finding that I just don’t tolerate the hassles of old car ownership like I used to. Also, finding competent mechanics close by is a real challenge. One of our members worked on my car for me and was great to work with, but his shop is about an hour away in crappy Toronto traffic and a tow there cost $340 one way. I actually spent more money on tows than repairs in the 18 months that I owned it! I might drive a ‘driver’ quality car there, but I am too anal about a restored car to take the chance. This will clearly be a consideration with my next purchase, if I do make another. There is a Corvette shop about 10 minutes from my place, so I may go in that direction.

The other thing about selling now is that everything is up in price, so there are no bargains to be had.

[Crush]

I sold my 67 Camaro this month, but it had nothing to do with the current bubble as it doesn’t appear to impact cars in Canada as much and I didn’t make any money on it. I’m turning 60 in a few months and I’m finding that I just don’t tolerate the hassles of old car ownership like I used to. Also, finding competent mechanics close by is a real challenge. One of our members worked on my car for me and was great to work with, but his shop is about an hour away in crappy Toronto traffic and a tow there cost $340 one way. I actually spent more money on tows than repairs in the 18 months that I owned it! I might drive a ‘driver’ quality car there, but I am too anal about a restored car to take the chance. This will clearly be a consideration with my next purchase, if I do make another. There is a Corvette shop about 10 minutes from my place, so I may go in that direction.

The other thing about selling now is that everything is up in price, so there are no bargains to be had.


I think you make some great points. I’ve had cars that are too nice to drive and I know some folks say you should drive them, so then they just sit and ultimately they develop some problem from not being driven so that’s frustrating when you go to drive them. So I’ve kind of found myself leaning in more to “newer” generations of vehicles where I know I can jump in and go.

I’m not much of a car show guy, my type A doesn’t do well sitting around, so I just like to go for a cruise/ coffee ie destination on a nice day. Throw in a motorcycle habit and there is just not enough time!!

[Zedder]

I’ve been looking at newer options too, but other than my 993, I haven’t really found anything I like enough to make a purchase. I have a deposit on a new Z06, but that will be years away based on current demand.

I agree on the motorcycles. Cheaper, easier to work with, and I can tow them myself to the shop if necessary. My friend is considering selling his 65 Panhead and I might pick it up if he does.

[1967 4K]

I kinda, sorta, sometimes think about selling the 4K because of high prices these days. I’d rather drive the 02 Camaro, AC-automatic- cruise - stereo- good performance. I think I’m like a lot of the guys here it’s not all about the money. My 67 is a good solid car and would be hard to replace.
Just MO

[olredalert]

I’ve been looking at newer options too, but other than my 993, I haven’t really found anything I like enough to make a purchase. I have a deposit on a new Z06, but that will be years away based on current demand.

I agree on the motorcycles. Cheaper, easier to work with, and I can tow them myself to the shop if necessary. My friend is considering selling his 65 Panhead and I might pick it up if he does.

----Love panheads! Had a 1948 when I was in college. Restored it in the apartment my buddy and I rented.....Bill S

[Billohio]

I have thought about selling my Z. Only time I can take it to cruise ins, I am working or its raining. I bet the last 3 years, half of the places I could have went it was going to rain.
I can drive my 2002 Trans Am with AC and good stereo and dont care if it gets wet. I am building a 68 with a LSA just to have a car I could drive.
Its amazing how much a car that sits in the garage wants to drip too!

[Zedder]

----Love panheads! Had a 1948 when I was in college. Restored it in the apartment my buddy and I rented.....Bill S

I’d love to find a 48! I’ve had a ‘50 and 2 ‘65’s so far. Pans are Absolutely beautiful bikes!

[carnut4life]

The cars I have now are the ones I lusted for when I was a kid or a young adult and I have no interest in selling them. They'll probably be worth half what they are now when I die but the kids can worry about that when I'm gone.

[cook_dw]

I guess I’m like Tony.. being the green car has been a part of the family longer than I’ve been alive it’d be like forgetting or letting go of my fathers memory which will never happen. The 68 Z is a keeper for the simple fact I always wanted a 68 Z and this one now has become family. So for that nothing I have now is for sale nor will it be. Parts on the other hand are always for sale..

[olredalert]

----Darrell,,,That part about family hits home for me. Jan and I have had her 66 Corvette since we lived in Ft Lauderdale in 1976, and often think of it as a family member. Maybe because we don't have kids. My 67 Vette used to sit parked next to the 66 in Ft Lauderdale every night. I had to sell that one to buy our 1st home and recently got it back and I feel the same way about it!.....Bill S

[Too Many Projects]

I have 5 cars that are quite desirable, but are considered "restoration" projects. Yeah, they would all bring decent money in the current market, but the only 1 I might profit on would be the '70 Chevelle. I'd most likely lose on the other 4, which has always been my case. My motto is "buy high and sell low", so they will stay where they are.

[Keith Seymore]

I guess I’m like Tony.. being the green car has been a part of the family longer than I’ve been alive it’d be like forgetting or letting go of my fathers memory which will never happen.

That's not something that can be purchased...or sold.

K

[NorCam]

True that Keith,

And for some of us, we own these cars purely for the joy of building a collectible car, performing a frame off restoration, while for some it's purely for driving or showing a car without perhaps having the skills to build or maintain one. For others, it's the thrill of the hunt in finding a car, or the rush that some get from selling a car. Finally, there are those who simply become attached, as well as those who have that sentimental bond created when a car is passed down. All of this keeps us pinned to these marvelous machines and for that we can all be thankful that we share in this common interest group.

As for current markets, it will definitely be of interest to those like myself who enjoy buying, building and selling cars once complete, and it will also be of significant interest to those who are considering selling off a collection. I myself have struggled with the idea of finally keeping one of my builds for myself, and just when I think I have won the battle where I decide to keep one, I find myself looking at the current markets and contemplating yet another potential sale. (lol)

I surmise, some of us cannot be helped. The current market is definitely great for selling, but the hard thing now is how to replace something once it's sold. We all have our reasons I guess?

[dino67]

I've been tempted to sell seeing some of these crazy prices. But then what? Buy somehing else overpriced? Regret selling my first car? I found whenever I have a thought of selling means I need to drive the car and those thoghts go away. Just cabin fever setting in. 6 more weeks of winter and we should e good to go!

[frankk]

The thought of, how do I replace what I've got, keeps me on the straight and narrow. Even after 26 years. But I know Father time will win the race in the end.

[GrumpyJeff]

I guess the Vintage Harley market is on fire also ? Out of the blue i just sold my 1947 Knucklehead Chopper i built a few years ago , I guy hit me up on Instagram asking if i would consider selling it ? While it was built with the best of the best vintage parts available at the time . So when I hit him with what i thought was a insane "i dont really wanna sell it" price he would laugh and that would be the end of that. To my suprise and maybe future regret he said OK !!! that was Saturday morning, wire transfer cleared today. So no time to change my mind I guess ?

[Too Many Projects]

I guess the Vintage Harley market is on fire also ? Out of the blue i just sold my 1947 Knucklehead Chopper i built a few years ago , I guy hit me up on Instagram asking if i would consider selling it ? While it was built with the best of the best vintage parts available at the time . So when I hit him with what i thought was a insane "i dont really wanna sell it" price he would laugh and that would be the end of that. To my surprise and maybe future regret he said OK !!! that was Saturday morning, wire transfer cleared today. So no time to change my mind I guess ?


Guess that's a heads up to us to not put a "ridiculous" price on something we don't want to sell. Seems there is a huge, overabundance of money available to people who are willing to spend it to get what they want.
I have a cousin with my uncles '47 74" Harley that he bought new, after he came home from the war. My uncle passed last year at 91 and I haven't felt the time was right to bring it up yet. I hope they consider offering it to me first, as has been discussed in the past, but as we all know, money talks.

[oldstv]

I recently sold the two cars that I've had the longest. Both were numbers matching cars and were never driven. One was restored years ago and one was a survivor so it didn't look the best. I didn't do it for the money it was just time to move on. Picked up what I thought might be a numbers matching Chevelle only to regret buying it. I think its different for everyone.