Paging Vondon302 and other Oppos who have bid on/bought old cars from afar

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw) 04/15/2018 at 16:57 • Filed to: None

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How did you assess the body/chassis condition, etc.? I’m considering bidding on a car on BaT, but don’t really have a way to look at it first hand before the auction ends.

I’m getting as much info as I can, but nothing is quite the same as sticking your hand up under the quarter panels, using a magnet, etc etc.

I think that, in the end, my uncertainty will keep me from bidding enough to win it, tbh.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > WilliamsSW 04/15/2018 at 17:27

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Sorry it’s not relevant, but update on the 323is.

The owner said he’s the original owner and it had no accidents with 140k miles.

I ran the Carfax earlier and it came up at 3 owners, 3 accidents (2 of which left the car disabled), and 165k miles recorded as of 08/17 (most of which were in PA).

I’ll pass.

vondon302 > WilliamsSW 04/15/2018 at 17:33

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Quiz the seller as much as possible. But you’ll never know until you go over it and even then stuff can be hidden. I’ve only won auctions in the sub 5000 area so it wasn’t a huge gamble. Look for prior ads for it too.

I’m glad I backed off the Ranchero. Adjacent lot next to me came up for sale for cheap. So there went my fun money.

Also Plz tell me it’s that Olds!

WilliamsSW > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo 04/15/2018 at 17:50

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OK, that’s pretty fucked up right there. Sorry it didn’t work out, but good on you for doing your homework before you forked over the cash.

diplodicus forgot his password > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo 04/15/2018 at 18:02

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Where you located. https://www.panjo.com/buy/bmw-323is-slick-top-96k-miles-374640

Auto but that thing looks clean.

WilliamsSW > vondon302 04/15/2018 at 18:02

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Yeah, there’s no way to be certain. Unfortunately, this isn’t in that sub-$5k level where it’s not that big of a deal if the car turns out to be a turd. At the end of the day, I would only bid to a point where it wouldn’t be the end of the world if the car was a bondo wonder.

Glad it worked out for the best on the Ranchero!

Yes, it’s the 442. My first car was a ‘65 Cutlass hardtop, and a red 442 convertible with a 4-speed is the ultimate iteration of that car (I love convertibles). The reality is that car *appears* to have the right provenance (4V Lansing car, with an allegedly ‘65 400 block, basically). Needs to be verified with the engine casting number and some under shots of control arms and the frame by the diff, and he says that he’s sent photos and video to BaT to confirm that (not visible yet).

With all of that, and if the body is all metal as he believes, the car is flat out worth a lot more than I can pay - so I fully expect this all to be a moot point. But meanwhile, it’s still sitting there at $13,300 as I type this...

In an even weirder twist, I just found a beat up Cutlass locally that is damn near a dead ringer for my first car - - down to the body color and options, but with a red interior (mine was black). I happen to remember the last 6 of the VIN on mine, so in the unlikely event that is the same car, I’m really going to struggle.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > diplodicus forgot his password 04/15/2018 at 18:09

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I’m in Florida, but damn that thing’s clean.

I was offered said 323is for $1500, which is why I was considering it. That’s a bit out of budget, but I love it.

vondon302 > WilliamsSW 04/15/2018 at 18:13

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Can’t hurt to dream. Just try to bid with your head and not your heart. That car is Nice though. My first was 76 cutlass so I always liked Olds. Question is where’s that Reserve 15, 175 or 20 .

I don’t think I was much help.

:)

Good luck!

WilliamsSW > vondon302 04/15/2018 at 18:47

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Oh, I’ve got a wife who won’t let me bid just from my heart!!

Not too worried about the reserve, that is what it is. You’ve been plenty of help, much appreciated! Thanks!

Scott

WilliamsSW > vondon302 04/15/2018 at 18:52

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ooooh, shit. I’m looking at the one photo that I can read casting numbers on, and damned if that car doesn’t have 330 heads on it...

vondon302 > WilliamsSW 04/15/2018 at 19:02

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The plot thickens! Use that to your advantage.

Lol my wife is the one that gets carried away.

WilliamsSW > vondon302 04/15/2018 at 19:08

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I just posted my questions (politely) for all the world to see. 4th photo from the end is a bad picture of the heads. I zoomed in to the left of the left most spark plug, and there’s a ‘2' there. Should be an ‘A’.

Block casting ID will tell all - should be 389298 B, which is gold, because the ‘65 400 block was unique to that year. If it’s 381917 1, we’re looking at a 330 motor.

vondon302 > WilliamsSW 04/15/2018 at 19:25

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Well I’m watching this one now.

This is why bat is so great.

WilliamsSW > vondon302 04/15/2018 at 19:37

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Yeah, I’m curious and nervous about the response. BaT is fantastic, and when the sharks start to swarm around a car/seller that isn’t right, it can get ugly.

Next couple of days will be interesting on that one!

WilliamsSW > vondon302 04/15/2018 at 20:41

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Pretty positive response from the seller that he’s got the right castings. Which confuses me a bit on the heads but we’ll see— the video should clear it all up.

vondon302 > WilliamsSW 04/19/2018 at 14:20

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Wow! 27 grand and reserve not met.

Bummer

WilliamsSW > vondon302 04/19/2018 at 14:35

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Yeah, I’m guessing that the reserve was probably around $30k. I never did bid, but I’ve been in contact with the owner. He seems like a good guy, and isn’t really in a huge rush to get rid of it - he’s just been accumulating too many cars, so he’s looking to reduce the fleet a bit.

It’s a little hard to value 442's - - if that were an SS396 or GTO, it would be a $45k+ car, but the early 442's don’t get that kind of love. Despite the fact that a base 442 is a better car than a base GTO or SS396 (I may be biased...)

I plan to explore a bit with the owner on what he actually wants for it- - and try to weasel a trip to Atlanta to look at it.

vondon302 > WilliamsSW 04/19/2018 at 15:08

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Good luck! It’s a beautiful car but you bring up a good point on trying to value it Even though it is the better car.

I’d walk right by a ss396 to go look at this.

WilliamsSW > vondon302 04/19/2018 at 15:17

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Thanks!

I’m very biased because a ‘65 Cutlass was my first car - the guy I bought it from had a red ‘65 442 as well (and two other ‘65 Cutlasses besides those...).

But Olds beefed up the suspensions on those cars a lot more than Pontiac or Chevy did, and the 345 HP motor is as much or more as anyone else’s hydraulic lifter motor from that time frame.

Plus you just don’t see many of these. Although the ‘65 Skylark Gran Sport is even more rare, but that car was kind of a different beast anyways.