ClassicCar

Ken U-Tx

Item #170796660378. Car is in WA state. Anyone know this car, and the owner? Has a near mint checkered interior. I'm surprised it has hit $30K so early on in the auction, unless there is shill bidding going on. Colors are factory colors, but the use of the ivory below the lower body molding would have to be either special order or dealer done. Not often that I see a 4 door breaking the $30K barrier.

KD4315

That is a beautiful car. If it is being shilled they're being smart about it.

51hornetA

30K and reserve not met??? for a sedan. What am I missing here?? and who is K bidder he has not bid on anything for months on ebay before this car and he has 11 bids??

Did sedan prices skyrocket over night??

RL Chilton

Here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&item=170796660378

RL Chilton

Well, that's super smart posting a video along with the ad. And, that's a very nice sedan, but I don't get the 30K, either. If that's the case, my sedan must be worth 50!:woohoo: NOT!

denverslim

Nice-looking car. My dreams for a sedan are seemingly sinking...slim

53jetman

Ken U - We had several customers want their Hornets 2-toned like this car before they would take delivery. We actually got pretty good at it by the time the '52 & '53 selling seasons were over with.

Jerry

53jetman

Slim - Don't give up! The right car for you is out there - it might even be a coupe. Your comment was very much the same way I felt before I purchased my '54 Hornet coupe. If you will remember, I even was ready to come to Denver after your Terraplane coupe when you temporarily had decided to sell it. I was disappointed to learn that you were not selling, but I then began looking in earnest for another car, and found the '54.

Jerry

wano1949

I went to an estate auction in Eastern Ky. in 2007. A 52 4 door went for 24000.00 or so. It was a family contest to see who was going to buy the goodies and show the other brothers and sisters who had the most money. It was a #3 car at best.
Might be the deal here.

There aren't too many fools with money these days to be bidding that high on a Sedan.

Then there may be some buddy deal going on to run it up.

Then they may be going through the roof and we're all rich! Lol.

RL Chilton

Jerry-

Sent you a PM.

RonS

I agree that the price is a bit high, in light of the engine compartment in need of better detailing( look closely). The rear compartment carpet also looks stained in places. However, If you want a Hornet, you all need to check out the cost to restore one. First one needs to buy a car to start out with. A quality paint job , without body work other than prep, will run nearly $10k. Incidently, an earlier thread discussed the two tone paint option as seen. Plating, polishing, and R & R another 10-15k. Tires (5) = $1k. So, add in some labor costs. Talk to some of the restoration shops: True, many of you guys out there are wizards with much of the skills needed to restore a car, most of us are not that skilled or even have the room to accomplish such a long term project. So, add in some labor costs( $70/ Hr ?) full restoration from a # 5 to a # 1- car will easialy hit $45-60K. Price is about right as it is now, IMO. Ron

RL Chilton

Ron-

You are spot on the money with your analysis. It's just not what the market has been bearing as of late. It's always going to be cheaper to buy one all ready fixed up, or a real good survivor as opposed to paying someone else to restore it. Then again, even if you restore it yourself, if you start with something way too far gone to begin with, it is uncontrollably cost-prohibitive and, unless you are partially crazy in love to begin with, one would be silly to even consider such an endeavor.

RonS

We're on the same page Russ, IMO the seller might want to consider dropping the reserve and accept what comes at the $30k+ bids. Any way, it's not our call.

schillaz

my guess is his buddies are bidding it up for him? only problem is i think they went way too far.

denverslim

Actually, when it comes right down to it, I don't know how serious I am. I need another car like a hole in the head, but lately, I've really been flirting with the idea of owning a nice stepdown driver. And every time I've had this feeling about a certain car, it aint too long and I'm owning one! Lol. I know the coupes seem to be more coveted in these circles, but I actually prefer the longer look of the four doors--at least these days.
One thing I have decided on though, I recently turned 63 and it's getting a little harder to feel good about doing all the work necessary to rebuild one. I've got enough projects to last me, what with several trucks, tractors and a couple of Fords, so I want one that's ready to fire up and go. I don't mind doing a little work, but I'm thinking I'm done with the full-on restorations.
And really, there are some beauties out there right now. I keep thinking my two car garage would really look good with a stepdown in the bay next to the ole T-plane...slim

Ken U-Tx

RL Chilton wrote:

Then again, even if you restore it yourself, if you start with something way too far gone to begin with, it is uncontrollably cost-prohibitive and, unless you are partially crazy in love to begin with, one would be silly to even consider such an endeavor.

Me thinks someone is speaking from experience!

oldhudsons

this sedan has 3 things going for it: 1. it has low mileage which should mean the chassis needs no work & it's still nice & tight 2. it has the one-year only "checkerboard" interior which seems to be very nice & as far as I know (one of my cronies who was in the upholstery business did have that reproduced but that was some time ago & I'm sure he sold it all) irreplaceable 3. it's stick & o.d.
Now as we all know there are a lot of step-down sedans available so it's a matter of whether those 3 items make it worth the asked $$$$ or not.

oldhudsons

concur with Jerry as I worked in a dealership in '53 & '54. We had an excellent paint/body shop so often when the dealer sold a car that had come with a 2-tone paint combination he talked the new owner into having the lower side panels painted to the same color as the roof.

Walt-LA

For what it's worth

NADA currently lists high retail at $28,300 for a '53 four door sedan. Walt-LA

RonS

Slim, I know what you mean about seeing a new "baby" in my garage, then my wife says which one of the other "children" are you going to sell. It's like she threw a bucket of cold water over me. I'm 63 in May, cold water aggrevates by bones.

J Haugo

Sold, $39,500.

Browniepetersen

WOW, about all I can say! I really like the looks of the sedans but not sure I would be willing to buy one at that price.

wano1949

We're all sitting on a gold mine and didn't know it! Lol.

denverslim

LOL! Well, I don't know about a "gold mine", but original cars in very nice condition, marketed well with lots of pictures and a video clip are still wanted out there! As someone mentioned in an earlier post, this one had a lot going for it and several people wanted it. I was very interested but alas the bids got a little carried away in my opinion. If both parties end up happy, I guess I'm happy.
I have bought several cars from ebay bidding, including my '36 T-plane, but I'll probably never do it again. I've learned to never pay for the car until I have seen it myself and this can get tricky with the ebay structure. You have to book a flight very quickly after a winning bid, either be willing to pay the fee upon looking at the car or be willing to forfeit it. This is usually $500. Add the cost of the flight you are up over a grand just to see it, talk to the owner, and pay his original asking down payment fee. Anything less than this just doesn't work for me since there are soooo many misrepresented cars on ebay and new owners often don't find this out until they have paid in full plus the shipping to their home.
I've never tried to contact HET owner near the "for sale" for use as an independent appraiser, but this option makes sense to me as a much more realistic option. I have performed this task several times as a contact in the Early Ford Club and for some reason it makes me really want to represent the prospective buyer and for only about $100 bucks.
What do you guys think? If a possible buyer contacted you for an independent opinion of a car close by would/could you do it for a small fee?...slim

bull islander

This is the link to an appraiser network. Mr. Locke is local to me and he's a lot of shows around here offering to do appraisals for a show special. Costs less than $100 (at least it did a few years back) if he's at the show.
Certainly it would likely cost more while not at a show, but they have a network with people across the country and I would expect to get an honest evaluation of a car from them. Could be an option if they have someone in the area.
http://www.i-van.org/

Browniepetersen

Slim, I have been doing appraisals in the market place for over thirty years. In that time I have been asked a few times to look at a car and do a report on it for someone from out of the area. I have an issue (a really small one) when people do the work without going through the requirements to get a licence, training or whatever is required to open a business. The only thing that I am going to say on the subject is when you take money for a service a level of responsibility goes with it. I have seen where someone gave a positive report on a vehicle and when the new owner got the car the level of quality or disclosure did not meet the expectations of the new owner. In most cases it is quicker and cheaper to work out of court to resolve the difference and it does less damage to your bond or insurance you have on your business. If all people were honest, fair and open we would not need courts to solve our problems. I have seen quite a few car people that were none of the above. Quite a few times I have sold a part, had the customer contact me and say they thought they got cheated. I have sent them their money back and told them to keep the part. It is the best way to do it in this business/hobby. In the area of telling someone your opinion there can be more problems that are not worth the pain. Just a thought--I would be careful on this one. If you do the review for free your liability is not as great. But, you still have some.

denverslim

What you say makes a great deal of sense, Brownie, I hadn't thought of it in that light. My service has been mostly one that provides a lot of pictures, some on site "tire kicking" and my expertise (as much as my limitations allow) as an owner of a similer car. I try to be as honest as I can and I hope and believe that I have served my clients well. I never advise whether to buy or not, nor do I tell my opinion on if the car is actually a "good" buy, only acting to be the eyes and ears of someone else too far away to make the trip.
Having said this, I will take your advice to heart...slim

nhp1127

Really strong money. Goes to show how valuable key attributes are... clean original interior, low miles, etc. Things that can't be replicated. Also, it's a Hornet. They sell better than a same condition Stepdown Commodore. As someone already mentioned, the guy did a good job on the ad.

walts garage-53 · walts garage-53 March 2012 Posts: 1,470Platinum Member

I'll bet it was not sold, just company bidders keeping it up and a month or 2 from now, back on E-bay. Walt.

wano1949

Dead on! Be nice to follow the paper trail. Lol.
Might be wrong but that's pretty stiff money for anything that isn't a convertible.

Browniepetersen

Walt, I know that your car is not for sale, but would that kind of money encourage you to think about selling your Hudson? Price seems to be what a buyer and seller agree upon. If we think the price is high or low does not really matter if the buyer is happy with the sale? With that said, I would not pay that kind of money for the car.

EssexAdv

Well said!!

ArkieJazz

walts garage-53 wrote:

I'll bet it was not sold, just company bidders keeping it up and a month or 2 from now, back on E-bay. Walt.

Make no mistake, shill bidding is common on ebay. However, it is very rare that a shill bidder will take an item past reserve. That means the car sells at the end and the value added fees from ebay kick in. Things are often verbalized on here which would be better left unsaid.

walts garage-53 · walts garage-53 March 2012 Posts: 1,470Platinum Member

Brownie; I have 3 people that want to buy my car, as they know I travel across this country in all kinds of weather. One lives on the same street as I do and every time he passes and the garage door is opened, he stops and says, ready to sell, name your price. One day in Maryland, we stopped to have lunch, and a fellow came up and said ( I'll give you a blank check, take you to the bank to cash it, and give you plane tickets to fly home ) Margaret said to him, I waited 5 years for that car and I won't wait another five. He went around the place telling all I would not take his check, most went out to look at the car and came back in and told Margaret, I don't blame you. Since rebuild, car has traveled 139,000 miles, 11 years, and nothing has been touched and all members in the NOR-CAL Chapter will tell you that. Margaret has arthritis in her lower back and the doc told me not to take her on any long trips for now. If we fly, she has to be in first class as the seats have plenty of room. Walt.

nhp1127

walts garage-53 wrote:

Brownie; I have 3 people that want to buy my car, as they know I travel across this country in all kinds of weather. One lives on the same street as I do and every time he passes and the garage door is opened, he stops and says, ready to sell, name your price. One day in Maryland, we stopped to have lunch, and a fellow came up and said ( I'll give you a blank check, take you to the bank to cash it, and give you plane tickets to fly home ) Margaret said to him, I waited 5 years for that car and I won't wait another five. He went around the place telling all I would not take his check, most went out to look at the car and came back in and told Margaret, I don't blame you. Since rebuild, car has traveled 139,000 miles, 11 years, and nothing has been touched and all members in the NOR-CAL Chapter will tell you that. Margaret has arthritis in her lower back and the doc told me not to take her on any long trips for now. If we fly, she has to be in first class as the seats have plenty of room. Walt.

Walt, just me but I'd see if that guy REALLY does want your car. Name your price and just replace it at a third of what you sold it for. The extra buys alot of first class tickets. I often have people coming up to me and asking if one of my cars is forsale. Many are fishing to see if they can get it for a song. As soon as you start talking real numbers then it ends.

TOM-WA-

Browniepetersen wrote:

Walt, I know that your car is not for sale, but would that kind of money encourage you to think about selling your Hudson? Price seems to be what a buyer and seller agree upon. If we think the price is high or low does not really matter if the buyer is happy with the sale? With that said, I would not pay that kind of money for the car.

SOME FOLKS ARE JUST CRANKY OLD FARTS!!!! LOL

Aaron D. IL

Walt, just me but I'd see if that guy REALLY does want your car. Name your price and just replace it at a third of what you sold it for. The extra buys alot of first class tickets. I often have people coming up to me and asking if one of my cars is forsale. Many are fishing to see if they can get it for a song. As soon as you start talking real numbers then it ends.[/quote]

So true! As soon as you start tossing out price that reflects the mass amount of money you put into it, that you'll probably never get back out of the car... Tire kickers seem a lot less interested. A lot of times when someone asks if my Hudson is for sale I say "Buddy, you're not THAT interested." Plus me being a little younger they think I'm an idiot and they're going to drive away with the car for a few hundred.

walts garage-53 · walts garage-53 March 2012 Posts: 1,470Platinum Member

This guy was serious, he was driving a Jaguar, and he followed me into the parking lot. His friend said when you passed him, he said I want that car, was only doing 90. This car will rot in my daughters garage, as she will never sell. Walt.

denverslim

I love it, Walt. Strong convictions! Stay the course.

You know, I read somewhere once that some guy loved his old Cadillac (or something) so much that he was BURIED in it! Maybe this is you, Walt, and your Hudson, 40 years from now, when your tired of being around this old earth...slim

MikeWA

walts garage-53 wrote:

This car will rot in my daughters garage, as she will never sell. Walt.

That's the beauty of it, Walt- you have made the car so "user friendly" and roadworthy, she can actually DRIVE it, without a rollaway tool chest in the trunk, and a mechanic riding "shotgun"! :lol:

TOM-WA-

Mike (WA) wrote:

walts garage-53 wrote:

This car will rot in my daughters garage, as she will never sell. Walt.

That's the beauty of it, Walt- you have made the car so "user friendly" and roadworthy, she can actually DRIVE it, without a rollaway tool chest in the trunk, and a mechanic riding "shotgun"! :lol:

On the Other hand she may very well wait till he PASSES and put it up for sale immediately....She may be tired of hearing about the PERFECT HUDSON for lo these many years...Muhahahahahha

nhp1127

walts garage-53 wrote:

This guy was serious, he was driving a Jaguar, and he followed me into the parking lot. His friend said when you passed him, he said I want that car, was only doing 90. This car will rot in my daughters garage, as she will never sell. Walt.

Is your daughter single? LOL

hudsn47

Walt, keep it real.

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