Strategy to purchase a car that's "not for sale"

[DM69SS]

I'm not sure if this is the proper forum to post this. Please move it to the correct one if it isn't.

I recently ran into a person from the town where I grew up (and my parents still live) and was talking cars with him. He was telling me about a stash of several musclecars that have been in a barn since the early-mid 80's. You know the drill "They all need resto's, will be restored eventually, and are not for sale". The point of all this is that he started talking about a 65 GTO that was in there. Turns out it is my father's old car. It's a long story, but the last guy it was purchased from before it was put in a barn is the person who used to own it and race it. There were other things as well and I am 100% sure this is the car. This is the first car my father ever owned and he even put off buying a car until he was 18 so he could afford it. He has owned other musclecars (and still does) over the years, but has always said that was his favorite car to "drive".

I would love to get a hold of this car and suprise him with it, but have no idea where to start. Do I just call the guy who owns it now, be up front about it, etc.? I don't know anyone who has done something like this, so I don't even know where to start. I don't mind paying somewhat of a premium for it, but I worry that if I let on that it has sentimental value, I may as well just bend over right away. Any ideas?

Thanks

[Canuck]

Patience
I bought my original W-30 convertable by becoming aquainted with the oroiginal owner and the car "was not for sale" he eventually gave it to his daughter. A year leter she was fed up with the car and I got a call from the dad. I never asked if the car was for sale while I knew him but offered on several occasions if they needed any assistance in locating parts or service for the car I could assist them. When the time came to sell I got the call asking "Do you know anybody who might be interested in buying the car?". Guess what?

I suggest you contact the guy and state you may have some history on the car and ask to meet the guy and see his collection,in particular the GTO. Take a long stroll down memory lane when you talk to him. Broach the subjet by saying its the only car you ever wanted-take it from there based on his response. If you have anything original to the car-photos-paperwork-dig it up,use it as a ice breaker or bargening chip. Offer to have the photos reproduced-dont give up any originals. You may want to plan two or more visits as a strategy.

If you think the guy reads this forum, forget the above and hit him with some some grovelling, don' hesitate to plan the health card.
Good luck!

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Honesty always pays off IMO.. I'd contact him, but first have some Proof that this is indeed the car you Father owned., or risk being taken as just another guy with a story to try and buy a car that is not for sale. Then just be honest and ask if he would consider selling it and if he says No, they ask for right of first refusal when it comes time... be gracious for teh opportunity and don't think the theory of everyone has a price works.. ie., don't take the NO and then make him an offer..

Good Luck

Mike

[bulletpruf]

Don't count on the right of first refusal working, however. I'd stay in touch with him and let him know that you're still interested. Too many stories out there about folks who got screwed on their alleged right of first refusal.

Good luck with it, and hope there's a happy ending to this story.

Scott

[SS427]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't count on the right of first refusal working, however. I'd stay in touch with him and let him know that you're still interested. Too many stories out there about folks who got screwed on their alleged right of first refusal.

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........and I am one of them and we stayed in touch 2 times a month. I even offered to send him some money to hold my name on the car but was told "that was not necessary". As was said, DO NOT depend on that. When it comes to selling, the first guy standing there with the $$$ often time gets it.
Rick

[SBR]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Don't count on the right of first refusal working, however. I'd stay in touch with him and let him know that you're still interested. Too many stories out there about folks who got screwed on their alleged right of first refusal.

[/ QUOTE ]

........and I am one of them and we stayed in touch 2 times a month. I even offered to send him some money to hold my name on the car but was told "that was not necessary". As was said, DO NOT depend on that. When it comes to selling, the first guy standing there with the $$$ often time gets it.
Rick

[/ QUOTE ] It just happened to me, first do not tell anyone else about the car, word travels fast and if the car is highly desirable news of its whereabouts will get around and will increase the likely hood of someone else getting the car that you want. Stay in touch, be honest and hope for the best.

[Rainer]

[ QUOTE ]
I would love to get a hold of this car and suprise him with it, but have no idea where to start. Do I just call the guy who owns it now, be up front about it, etc.? I don't know anyone who has done something like this, so I don't even know where to start. I don't mind paying somewhat of a premium for it, but I worry that if I let on that it has sentimental value, I may as well just bend over right away. Any ideas?

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

I would contact the current owner of your dad's car and share with him some of its history. You don't necessarily have to tell him up front that you want to buy it. He may be more willing to talk to you if you proceed slowly. I would gradually lead up to the issue of wanting to buy it after you get to know him. Rather than asking if he wants to sell it, you can ask what his plans are for it. Then you can tell him that if those plans change you'd love the chance to reunite your dad with the car. Good luck!

[JIM]

Hi ;Keep in touch with the owner. The LS-6 conv and the 2 L-89 converts took me Years to buy ,one took 12 years but that doesn't always work either. My Black 70 SS conv I went once a month for over 10 years to buy it and one night a guy showed up at My shop and told me he just bought an old black convert from the disgusted Mom of this guy that had run into to law problems, that one I did tell the Guy point Blank you can bend me over it doesn't matter what it costs finally got it. At the time it was way to much money today what a great buy. I have the funniest story on a 70 R/T Challenger 383 Orange 4spd air conv that sat outside for 20 years dissassembled . Everybody and their brother tried to get this car I met with the owner who had bought it new and was told Not For sale I'll get to it one day. I asked to see just what he had for the car just to see if I could get somewhere. He offered to show me everything he had removed in 76 and put in storage. After looking at the parts and discussing what it would really cost to put it back together he said whats its worth , I didn't offer I did say I would spend stupid money . This was 2 years ago he turned and asked Me if I thought it was worth 3000.00 I said as long as everthing I saw came with it and PAID him on the spot Then. We had it moved 3 trucks and a rollback within 2 hours. So not just wanting to buy it be prepared to leave money get a signed bill of sale and a witness to sign it as well, had a couple of those fall thru but genrally it stays together. Just be polite and make shure You tell him the Car will get restored and He will get pictures of it done and offer him the oppertunity to see it done. It works Good Luck !!! Jim

[tom406]

Obviously there's no single way to do this. Every seller is different, with different levels of sentimentality, pride, and/or mental illness.

I'm surprised nobody has given the "show me the money" technique. I know of two sales of original owner cars ('67 Shelby GT500/Hemi Challenger) that weren't for sale, but were purchased when the interested parties showed up with the money they were willing to spend in briefcases. While its kind of "in your face", I do believe that the "idea" of money is easier to turn down than acutal stacks of bills.

As an addition to that, I would try to make the offer in the presence of their spouse or significant other. If there are a number of unfinished car projects in the garage, there's probably a few home improvement projects in the house that haven't been done, either. Thus the spouse may become your ally in convincing the seller to turn that unfinished car into cash.

The cash push is almost like an "all in" poker bet, made after a couple of visits to read the seller, verify the car, and develop some trust or common ground.

Good luck to you.

TOM

[BUIZILLA]

[ QUOTE ]
Obviously there's no single way to do this. Every seller is different, with different levels of sentimentality, pride, and/or mental illness.


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