1970 Olds 442 W-30, 18k miles, NO RESERVE

[eilig]

Many of are already familiar with our family's 1970 Olds 442 W-30. I've been trying to sell it since February of this year in order to raise funds to support a family medical emergency.

The time has unfortunately come for me to sell to the highest bidder. Dad's surgery is scheduled for January, and we need to begin preparations.

Therefore, I have re-listed it for sale on Ebay in a No-RESERVE auction. This time it will sell to the highest bidder. The link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...em=110049143743 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=5357&rd=1&ssPageNa me=WDVW&item=110049143743)

I know there has been much debate regarding this car's true value. This time around we'll find out what it's really worth, because it will sell to the highest bidder. Should be interesting.

Hope one of you will be a buyer.

Whoever ends up with this car will be inheriting years of very special care from our family. It's really an incredible car, and I can guarantee you'll never see another like it!

Thanks.

[TDW]

Best of luck with your father and the sale of the car.

[70 Forest Green Zee]

Just out of curiosity....if this car is everything you say it is, why not take it to Barrett Jackson where it would probably bring at least twice the money it will bring on EBay?

I'm very sorry to hear about your dad and I wish you the very best of luck selling this very remarkable car!

[olredalert]

------Its almost certainly too late to get a # at B/J this year........Bill S

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
------Its almost certainly too late to get a # at B/J this year........Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Bill...believe it or not...they still have vendor space available http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[olredalert]

------That surprises me, Bruce, but car for sale #s must be gone by now,,,Huh???.......Bill S

[Stuart Adams]

If you have a high dollar car and will pay extra entrance fees they will add a car here and there guaranteed. We see them as cars the house sees them as greenbacks!!

[eilig]

Thanks for your well-wishes, and also for your bids. It looks like a few bids have come from members of the yenko.net. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it...

There are several reasons we don't take it to the BJ Auction. First, dad's big surgery is Jan 24, and we need to raise funds BEFORE then for all the preparation that's going into this. BJ is in January, which would be too late.

Second, dad is not physically able to get to Scottsdale for the BJ, and he doesn't want to sell the car and not be involved in the process. Maybe that is hard to understand, but when you have as many emotions tied to a car as he does to this one, it makes sense. He can be involved with an Ebay auction from right there in his wheelchair.

Third, we attended the BJ from 1983 to 2004. We used to love that event. When we attended in 2004, he had a horrible experience. The event is completely different than it used to be. My dad is physically handicapped, and they treated him like sh*t. Their handicapped facilities there are horrible, and we were bullied continually by the moronic "VIP" security staff there when I tried to transport my dad around the facilities on a golf cart. It ended by me witnessing dad having to crawl across the floor of a supposedly handicapped-abled transport van. It was a humiliating experience. We no longer like that place, and the last thing we want to do is take our car to that circus-like environment. Money or not, it's just not something we want to get involved with.

Anyway, thanks again for your well-wishes. You guys are a great group, and I appreciate your interest.

[resto4u]

Why does the invoice show omaha ne. and window sticker shows council bluffs, ia. ?

[eilig]

The car was shipped to McIntyre Olds/Cadillac in Council Bluffs, IA, which is just across the river from Omaha. This is the only local dealer my uncle could find who figured out how to order the "Special Paint" option. He then bought the car through Dean Rawson, a friend of his who owned several dealerships in Omaha. Dean provided him with a discount that he wasn't able to get by going directly through the dealership.

[TimG]

As a true 442 lover, I think this car is amazing. Good luck with the sale. It's sad that you have to sell if for medical bills.

[olredalert]

Hey Tim,,, You got your bid in??? I do. See you at Vettefest......Bill S

[TimG]

Bill, looking forward to it. I didn't bid, I've got one green car in the garage allready. That's all I can handle.

[eilig]

This is the "LAST CALL"...

I've got a buyer I've been speaking with via phone all week. Getting really close to doing a deal. If you are interested, get your bid in now, or let me know, otherwise it's about to sell.

Thanks!

[chads454Ls6]

Does this mean you are not going to see the auction through? You should have put a reserve auction on this vehicle so you do not upset anyone. Unless you put that in you e-bay add and i missed it.

[Zedder]

Are you saying that you are about to end the auction early??? That doesn't seem fair given that you are running a no reserve auction...

[budnate]

I would say guys in this case let him sell it how ever he likes.

or you can call him up and buy the car, you didnt really think it was going to go all the way did you.

[Zedder]

Actually, yes, I would expect any auction that has met the reserve or that is a no reserve auction to go all the way. Prior to meeting the reserve, I have no problem ending early, but once the reserve is met the high bidder will be the winner, so ending early is screwing him!

[chads454Ls6]

I know there has been much debate regarding this car's true value. This time around we'll find out what it's really worth, because it will sell to the highest bidder. Should be interesting.
This is from the listing on yenko.net

[Pacecarjeff]

If you are going to end early, how much is it selling it for?
Wondering what it will take to buy the car now?

[njsteve]

For God's sake everybody just give the guy a break. He can sell it any way he wants to. Think about this for a moment: he's selling a family heirloom to pay for his Dad's medical care. It wasn't bought as an investment, or to pay for his kid's college or to buy a house. He's selling it to keep his Dad alive. You think that doesn't hurt enough?

I think we've all seen enough ebay BS out there to last a lifetime, where someone will be the high bidder and then never appears with the funds, or was just bidding for fun. If he has a guy who wants that car now and has cash in hand he should take it because there is no guarantee that the ebay high bidder is going to go through with the deal at the end of the day.

[mmcporter]

well said Steve.

[Belair62]

Sell the car to whoever you want !! Jeez...plenty of guys want to know what its worth and blah blah...any of them stepping up to buy it or are they the usual talkers...sell it to the guy who shows up with the money. Good Luck...very cool car.

[Pacecarjeff]

I agree, take a high offer from a serious buyer.
"a bird in the hand".
I was watching, because I am curious.
Absolutely amazing car - really wanted to see what you will get.

wanted to see a new 442 Olds record price. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[CHIEF RAM AIR]

Sell the car to whom ever you damn well please. Ebay's a joke, lot's of no show's, plus everyone under the Sun had a chance to buy the car and didn't step up. Take your best deal Ebay or no.

[Belair62]

Chief RA...I do pardon your fat...please excuse my shortness http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Charley Lillard]

I wish his Dad luck but would all of you be saying the same thing to him if you were the high bidder ? The car is over 100K and no reserve. If I were high bidder on a car at over 100K and had the auction pulled I would be pissed.

[njsteve]

[ QUOTE ]
I wish his Dad luck but would all of you be saying the same thing to him if you were the high bidder ? The car is over 100K and no reserve. If I were high bidder on a car at over 100K and had the auction pulled I would be pissed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes I would be saying the same thing. If I was high bidder I would be in constant contact with the guy. This isn't the case of a dealer or someone else selling for profit under the usual circumstances. So I would completely understand the "bird in hand" theory. Most ebay auctions usually have that implied "car is for sale locally and can be withdrawn" language anyway.

I wish him well. Like everyone else, I wish I had the money to buy it. Then I'd grant his dad a life estate in the car. (This is a legal term employed to give specific people permission to use something for the rest of their lives -It's ususally used when parents sell their house to their kids and the parents reserve the right to live in it for the rest of their years. When they pass on, the house reverts to the buyer) That would guarantee his dad would live a happy and healthy 50+ years more.

[budnate]

gentlemen the point is I think we have all learned on ebay is if you are on something you really need/want you best pick up the phone and figure out if it can be bought within your budget,if you don't someone else will do it, right or wrong??? who knows but thats how the game is played these days.

fact is if you sit back we almost always get hosed at the end http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[TDW]

[ QUOTE ]
gentlemen the point is I think we have all learned on ebay is if you are on something you really need/want you best pick up the phone and figure out if it can be bought within your budget,if you don't someone else will do it, right or wrong??? who knows but thats how the game is played these days.

fact is if you sit back we almost always get hosed at the end http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

How true that is.

[mmcporter]

But then again, who is going to "sit back in the end" for a $100K+ purchase. I'd be in the midwest checking the car out and sealing the deal face-to-face.

[John]

...First of all let me say we all wish your father well ...
...this is very interesting in your ebay description....
....
"This gorgeous one-of-a-kind GREEN car is special in one other interesting, non-automotive way: It was manufactured on St. Patrick’s Day, in March of 1970.
...
....I'm sure St.Patrick may even be watching this auction
...
....good luck http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[427freak]

What happened to the auction, anyone know? Thanks
Dana

[GM-26]

I checked the auction this morning and it was at $169,000.00. He must of ended it early. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[427freak]

Can you end it on Ebay with an hour to go? I don't know?

[Donutblue]

You can end it any time you desire.

[GM-26]

At one time, you couldn't end the auction one hour prior to the end time when there has been bidding. It looks like the rules have changed. I copied the guide lines from e-bay.

<font color="red"> How can I end my listing (auction) immediately?

If needed, you can end your listing before the scheduled end date. If there are bids on your item, you can cancel them.

Reasons for ending listings early include:

The item is no longer available for sale.
There was an error in the starting price or reserve amount.
There was an error in the listing.
The item was lost or broken.
</font>

[SUPERSPORT]

Ebay removed the listing. If you end it early the description is still available.

[Stefano]

I had placed a bid and received a notice from ebay that they were removing the item.

[mmcporter]

So who got the car?

[eilig]

Here's what happened. There was a guy bid up to $170,000. With only a few hours to go, a shady person or prankster bid up to $1.8 million, which of course revealed the maximum bid of the high bidder. He complained to Ebay that his high bid had been exposed to all other bidders and watchers, and Ebay ended the auction early! They killed my NO RESERVE auction. So the car is still not sold!!!!

What a horribly frustrating situation!

Anyway, I've been in touch with the guy who was the high bidder, and he has been saying for the last week he will get to Omaha to see and buy the car. But I'm getting tired of all his talk, and losing faith that he's going to do anything.

If anyone here is interested in buying the car for $175k, please call me immediately at 847-477-9262.

I feel like I'm about to lose my mind.

Sorry for the rambling. Obviously some frustration here.

Thanks.

[eilig]

Also, my email is: [email protected].

Thanks.

[Belair62]

What was the username of the jerk that bid a million ?

[eilig]

It was something like "travelgirl." Probably just a curiousity seeker. The auction listing had something like 10,000 visits before Ebay ended it. What a nightmare.

[PPPJJJFFF]

Seems like you've gone through an awful lot of trouble to sell the car over the last year. Without any results! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

Patrick

[eilig]

... maybe that's because my price has been too high. I started at $350k, and held there until only a couple months ago. Then dropped to $250k, then $225k. Now I'm at $175k.

I'm sure you can understand that dad's emotional attachment to this car (after 36 years!) had just a little to do with all that...

Thanks.

[Charley Lillard]

I see this car is listed for sale in Autoweek. Web page is www.Mingjade442.com (http://www.Mingjade442.com)

[Jim_Becker68]

Sometimes auctioning a car on e-Bay is difficult at best. Especially when you have a high dollar car like yours.

I looked up e-Bay user Travelgirl and see that they are no longer registered and the last feedback they received was in 2000. My guess is someone highjacked the account and messed with your auction and I would guess others too. These scammers generally like to do their dirty work in about a one hour time frame hitting multiple auctions. Your dollar amount drew them in.

As for you runner up. My guess is he or she may be waiting for you to come down some more on price. Might figure you to be desperate or worn down from the e-Bay nightmare and feel this is in their favor price wise.

Good luck - and have a blessed Christmas.

[eilig]

For those of you who have been following my campaign with this car, here's the latest...

After a couple months of trying to get someone at Ebay to discuss this matter, I finally was able to learn that one of the bidders ("Travelgirl") had retracted his/her bids, and another bidder ("Cedarbluff") then complained that his bid amounts were exposed to other bidders before Travelgirl retracted. Cedarbluff complained that this allowed other bidders to see what he would bid up to, and that this was not fair. So he moved for a complete end to the auction, because it was a NO RESERVE auction, and he felt strongly that he was disadvantaged. The folks at Ebay agreed, and they pulled the auction.

I have resumed an advertising campaign in Hemmings, Autoweek, Old Car Trader, and Autabuy. Each of the ads feature a web site I constructed for the car: www.MingJade442.com. (http://www.MingJade442.com.)

My father had his surgery on January 24 in NYC. The surgery itself went remarkably well. Three days following the surgery, he was standing 85% straight, and walking using a walker!!! It was a bona fide miracle!

Then the complications set in. His legs swelled to twice their normal size, he had kidney and liver failure, and an unknown infection. They nearly lost his vital signs twice.

After being in the hospital for over a month now, he has resumed nearly full function of his kidneys and liver, and the infection has cleared. However, the reason for his leg swelling is deep thrombosis blood clots all up and down his legs. Before his surgery, the docs inserted a vena cava filter that prevents clots from making it back to your heart and lungs. The filter clogged with clots, and they are trying to decide what to do for the clots in the filter and his legs. So the going's not good.

Worse yet is what happened two weeks ago. My sister, age 35, passed away. She was assisting my dad through all this. She had Addison's Disease, which causes your adrenal glands to quit producing various hormones vital to regulate body function. One of the worst things for an Addisonian is stress. She was horribly stressed before, during, and after dad's surgery. I went to NYC just after dad's surgery, and found my sister there, a complete wreck. She could not eat, could not sleep, and was shaking and pale. I immediately sent her back home to get rest and see her doctors. The modified her treatment, as stress requires significant doses of hydrocortisone for a person with Addison's. Four days later, mom came home and found her. We are still not sure whether she suffered an Addisonian Crisis, or whether there may have been a drug interaction from her modified treatment. So two weeks ago I had to bury my only sibling -- my little sister.

So for the last couple months, I've had my hands full, helping what's left of my family through this living nightmare. And I apologize for this post -- it must seem like a soap opera by now. I can barely believe it myself.

But I still need to sell this car -- now more than ever.

If anyone is interested at $175k, please contact me immediately at 847-477-9262. I'm contemplating another Ebay auction. But considering the previous outcome, not sure I want to expose myself yet again to the many scammers and fake bidders.

Thanks to all of you for your previous emails of support. What began as my attempt to sell this car to financially help dad through his big surgery has turned into my worst nightmare.

-Jay

[PeteLeathersac]

Jay,

So sad to read your latest post and certainly no opologies are necessary...our hearts and prayers are truly with you and your family..

~ Pete

[Novadiecast]

Jay, We are thinking of you and your Familyat this time.

Good luck with the sale of the car but more important take care of the family.

[JoeG]

Unfortuately,there are fellas on this site who can relate to family tragedies-----.Hope your father gets well real soon and this gorgeous 442 sets a sales record..........

[eilig]

Sold.

[Z28DZ]

Congrats! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif You had an arduous journey in more ways than one. Hope the 442 went to a good home and hope your dad is doing well. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif Ed

[eilig]

Thanks Ed. Dad is still hospitalized with deep vein thrombosis blood clots in both legs. It's a very rough situation.

It's going to be sad to see this car go. But it will indeed be going to a good home. Eventually it will be available for display to the public in a museum that the new owner will be building.

[JoeG]

Sold http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif............. All the best to your Dad....

[Bill Pritchard]

Congrats http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif All the best to the car, the new owner, and your father http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[eilig]

Hello everyone!

Fast forward five and a half years...

Dad is doing well, albeit not very mobile these days. Since March 2007, the car has been with it's new owner. I even visited it last year. It's been very well kept and is in good hands.

Unfortunately, February 2010 my uncle Bob passed away. (He was the original owner of the car, and custom ordered it back in 1970.)

I am financially capable of purchasing the car back from the current owner. He has very graciously agreed to sell it back! I'm so excited. Almost emotional about it. Having that car back in the garage would be very meaningful now that uncle Bob has left us.

The owner has requested that I submit a number. I really don't know what this car is worth in today's market. I want to pay a fair price. But I don't know that number.

That is the reason for my posting. What do you guys think this car is worth in today's market? Is it worth more, or less, than back in March 2007?

[mockingbird812]

Good to hear your Dad is doing better, sorry to hear about your Uncle. <span style="text-decoration: underline">Just going by the dates</span>, not the w-30 market (which I do not know), March 2007 was just before the peak (by about one year). So I would say that you sold the car near the peak and the market has still not recovered. <span style="text-decoration: underline">Rough</span> order of magnitude, your car is about 75% of what it used to be.

[GTO_DON]

The only problem with that is how do you ask the guy you sold your dream car to and family treasure to take a hit on it. The fair thing to do for both parties is to offer him his money back he paid even if its not worth that anymore..Its worth more to you than anybody on the planet.

[LeeP]

I would be happy to place a value on the car. As a lifetime Olds collector and owner I have followed the trends in the pricing for years. You can PM me and I will give you my number to discuss auction and private party sale prices. Lee