Archive for the ‘vintage cadillac’ Category

Big Than a Bread Box – Classic Cars

Saturday, September 6th, 2008


The phone rang about 8:00, and having been up very late I expected bad news. But it was a gentleman asking if I had a Cadillac. It didn’t register with me as I sat up in bed and tried to get my wits about me, that I had a 1968 Cadillac Convertible listed in the 31 Club Marketplace, so I replied, “I don’t drive a Cadillac.”

“The one online,” he said. I shook the cobwebs from my head and we were finally able to have a real conversation. Though he must have thought I was a complete idiot at first, the good news is I’m fairly certain that car is headed for New York.
Yes, cars are larger than a bread box, but finding classic cars and selling them can be quite rewarding. The great advantage is that the new owner has to make arrangements for its transportation.

I’ve written previously about finding items in your area that have greater demand somewhere else and Classic Cars fits into this category, at least in my neck of the woods. Both the East and West Coasts are havens for the classic car owners. So, if you are from the Midwest and find a 1957 Chevrolet hard top, you can be assured it will bring more money in California than in Kentucky.

So what should you look for? If it looks different or has markings that don’t seem standard, you may have found a winner. Just one example is a car with the number 442 on the side. This may be a car you want to take note of. Convertibles are always in demand, and usually there were fewer of them made than other models. High performance models bring top money, also.

The manufacturer of the car isn’t nearly as important as the rarity of the car. Dodge and Plymouth can bring more than Chevrolet and Ford in many cases. The great thing about this area of collecting is that cars are high ticket items. So, when you find the right one, it can play a big part in your advancement in the 31 Clubs Million Dollar Race, enabling you to complete several steps at a time, if you find the right car.

Where do I find out more information about what to look for? You can start with our old standby by checking eBay’s completed auctions for classic cars. Next, visit a gas station. There you’ll find magazines listing cars for sale. Take note of the makes, models, and prices of cars. Your local newspaper is a great resource, and they will have classified sales sections for cars. Sometimes on your visits to estate sales, you’ll see cars parked in the driveway or street with a for sale sign on them. Usually you can take the time to do your research on cars because they don’t sell every day.

I know you would like for me to name some of the best finds, but this is one area that I will have to let you be the judge. Just a few cars that I have personally owned that I think would fit into this area are a 1982 Corvette, 1953 MD TD, 1955 Chevrolet Belair, Studebaker Golden Hawk and a 1965 Mercedes.

Cars have always held a fascination for me and if you have interest in this area it will become a passion of love.

Bigger Than a Bread Box – Classic Cars

Saturday, September 6th, 2008


The phone rang about 8:00, and having been up very late I expected bad news. But it was a gentleman asking if I had a Cadillac. It didn’t register with me as I sat up in bed and tried to get my wits about me, that I had a 1968 Cadillac Convertible listed in the 31 Club Marketplace, so I replied, “I don’t drive a Cadillac.”

“The one online,” he said. I shook the cobwebs from my head and we were finally able to have a real conversation. Though he must have thought I was a complete idiot at first, the good news is I’m fairly certain that car is headed for New York.
Yes, cars are larger than a bread box, but finding classic cars and selling them can be quite rewarding. The great advantage is that the new owner has to make arrangements for its transportation.

I’ve written previously about finding items in your area that have greater demand somewhere else and Classic Cars fits into this category, at least in my neck of the woods. Both the East and West Coasts are havens for the classic car owners. So, if you are from the Midwest and find a 1957 Chevrolet hard top, you can be assured it will bring more money in California than in Kentucky.

So what should you look for? If it looks different or has markings that don’t seem standard, you may have found a winner. Just one example is a car with the number 442 on the side. This may be a car you want to take note of. Convertibles are always in demand, and usually there were fewer of them made than other models. High performance models bring top money, also.

The manufacturer of the car isn’t nearly as important as the rarity of the car. Dodge and Plymouth can bring more than Chevrolet and Ford in many cases. The great thing about this area of collecting is that cars are high ticket items. So, when you find the right one, it can play a big part in your advancement in the 31 Clubs Million Dollar Race, enabling you to complete several steps at a time, if you find the right car.

Where do I find out more information about what to look for? You can start with our old standby by checking eBay’s completed auctions for classic cars. Next, visit a gas station. There you’ll find magazines listing cars for sale. Take note of the makes, models, and prices of cars. Your local newspaper is a great resource, and they will have classified sales sections for cars. Sometimes on your visits to estate sales, you’ll see cars parked in the driveway or street with a for sale sign on them. Usually you can take the time to do your research on cars because they don’t sell every day.

I know you would like for me to name some of the best finds, but this is one area that I will have to let you be the judge. Just a few cars that I have personally owned that I think would fit into this area are a 1982 Corvette, 1953 MD TD, 1955 Chevrolet Belair, Studebaker Golden Hawk and a 1965 Mercedes.

Cars have always held a fascination for me and if you have interest in this area it will become a passion of love.

Nothing is Too Large - Not Even a Classic Car

Thursday, January 24th, 2008


I have shared with you that for me, I am not usually interested in dealing with anything that is larger than a bread basket or a painting. But there are exceptions. No, I’m not interested in making furniture one of my primary items to deal with, but I might make an exception, if the money is right.

I’m talking about cars today. Yesterday, a friend asked if I would buy or sell her daughter’s car, because she was away at college and didn’t need it. My first inclination was to say no. I appreciated that she had thought of me, so I had second thoughts. I wondered what kind of car it was, so I asked. Turns out it’s an early Cadillac convertible from 1968 in great shape.

Wow! I had just read where these convertibles from the 50’s and 60’s, with their huge tail fins and big headlights, were in big demand. All of a sudden my thoughts changed. I could just envision that Cadillac being a mile long with those huge fins as I took it for a drive down the highway. A real treasure was being dropped into my lap. What would I do with that?

At this point, whether I bought the car or sold it on consignment, it was going to be a great find for me. You see, if people know what you’re doing, don’t be surprised what happens. I just happened to be at church, and she approached me with this proposition. Keep in mind that we are in the money growing business. I wouldn’t want to become a used car salesman, but if I can purchase a real classic car or even sell it for someone, I would be a fool to turn it down.

Remember, it is always about what the item is. If I get a call on an old pump organ, I usually ask the person what they would pay me to move it, but if the call is about a Steinway piano, then that is a different story. The rare and expensive items will make all the extra work you might have to do worth it. Don’t prejudge until you know what is being offered.

All the big name celebrities collect cars, and I am sure you’ve heard that Jay Leno has one of the biggest collections in the country. When I was a child, it was the Model A’s and Model T’s that people collected, but today, the muscle cars and the large touring cars are popular and in demand.

When I was interested in cars as a teen, I dreamed about Alburns, Packards, Cords and other cars of that vintage. Not collectors today. They want the Corvette, GTO, Mustang and other vintage muscle cars. Even if you find a car with a with a special engine, it can add thousands of dollars to its value today. Believe it or not, I have even seen cars that needed total restorations sell for thousands of dollars.

Get a car magazine and just list the cars that are in demand. Then keep your eyes open. There might be one sitting right in your neighborhood that could be a great treasure for you. There might be one sitting in the driveway of the next estate sale you attend. Browse the Internet for prices of these treasures.

Isn’t this business great? Who says money doesn’t grow on trees? I am so thankful I read that great book, “Treasure Island” as a kid, and I’m still experiencing the thrill of the adventure today.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you begin building personal wealth using antiques, collectibles and fine art, rather than the conventional methods using stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won’t find results like these through your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in, here.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to see what we’ve got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We’ve got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you’d like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

Click Here to get back to our mainpage.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don’t have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.