How to ask about an old car in a back Yard?

[lshlsh2]

Took my son to camp and saw a 71 or 72 cutlass conv. possibly a 442 in a back yard rusting away. Probably parts condition. I have a 71 conv. and probably could use some parts off of it. It has a OAI hood.

I would like ideas on how to approach the owner about the car. Not in a great area. I can almost hear banjo music coming from the house.

Thanks Larry

Going by the house again on Fri.

[ijasond]

Just go in the middle of the night and take it. He won't mind.

[agtw31]

tell them you have one just like it

ask how much they'd take for it.

be prepared for some knucklehead response

leave your name and number if they dont answer the door

[MN71W30]

I've done it before,
If the guy has had it for a number of years the " I'm gonna restore it some day disease" has probably set in. Be polite and tell him it will be a father and son project and If we ever decide to sell it we will let you have first chance to buy it back.
It worked for me and I sold the car back to my brother in law.
Dave

[dan2286]

Originally Posted by agtw31

be prepared for some knucklehead response

Like, "It's not for sale, I plan on restoring it one day", or "The same car sold on Barret Jackson for $100,000 a couple years ago, so since it's not in the greatest shape, I will take $40,000"

[Olds64]

Dave's idea of a father and son resto project might work. The worst he can do is say it isn't for sale. Too bad there are so many knuckleheads around.

[kartmaster]

I've heard of guys putting an card under a wiper with a short note saying they'd seen the car and if by any chance it was for sale to call xxx-xxxx. Thought that was a pretty good idea. This way you know you won't be a complete stranger interrupting somebody, or catch 'em in a bad mood etc.

Of course this all hinges on:

1. The car having wiper blades
2. The person actually remembering the car is there
3. The person actually looking at the car

However you go about it... good luck! I had a friend ask a guy about a '75 Ninety Eight that had been sitting in a barn for years. Drove by it every day. One day he just knocked on the door and asked if it was for sale. Ended up getting it for $50 and drove it home!

[oldsonharmont]

I found my Cutlass SX Convertible in the carport of an unoccupied house, so there was no banjo music playing. There were a few other rare cars in the driveway like a Sunbeam Alpine and an old Willys Jeep, so I assumed he knew cars. Overtime I left a few notes on the windshield, and kept them pretty straight forward (no phony stories). Eventually I got a response from the guy, but he wasn't ready to sell just yet. About a year later I got another call and he was ready to talk. In the meantime, I tried to learn as much as I could about its' condition and value. When it came time to deal, we were both ready. Good Luck with yours!

[Alb]

Drove by and saw a 69 cutlass rusting away. The guy had painted on it. NOT FOR SALE. It sat there for 3 years. So I went up to the door one day and asked him if I could have it beings it wasn't for sale. Got it for $100. True Story.
Alb

[BosMobile]

Dont bother him!Just tell me where it is and i'll go check on it for you!hahahah.............Good luck,hope you get it bought,later,BO

[jensenracing77]

i do this all the time. my wife loves it when i just stop at some strangers house with the entire family in the van. if i see an old oldsmobile somewhere i stop on the spot and find out everything i can. if for sale, if not do they have any parts, do they need parts, do they know of any other oldsmobiles around. every time but one it went very well, may not have got the car but give them my name and number so if they ever need anything to let me know and i can help. most of the time if i don't get it they will call me in a year or two. the one time it went bad, he told me to leave because he was tired of people jacking around with him on the car. after i got home i jumped in my Rallye 350 and went back. he seen my car and was willing to talk and i ended up with his car.

[Allan R]

Originally Posted by lshlsh2

Took my son to camp and saw a 71 or 72 cutlass conv. possibly a 442 in a back yard rusting away. Probably parts condition. I have a 71 conv. and probably could use some parts off of it. It has a OAI hood.

I would like ideas on how to approach the owner about the car. Not in a great area. I can almost hear banjo music coming from the house.

Thanks Larry

Going by the house again on Fri.

Just the OAI hood makes it worth going for. It might have some really nice options. As far as getting it? Talk some of your buds into : Stuff your mouth with cotton, put on an Armani suit, dark glasses and strap on your Glock so it's really visible. Then pay the house a visit and make them an offa dey cant refuse. You know whadimean? Forgetaboudit!! Da boys will be around later ta pick id up. Ya know, I like you....here's a c note, now beat it. Theres no room for 2 wiseguys in da same hood.

[Redog]

I actually was debating on doing something like this.

There was an 83 98 around the corner from my house just sitting in the driveway, now it's gone

I was going to slip a letter in the mailbox with my name and number. The worst that could happen is they throw the letter away

[jensenracing77]

i am so bad that i seen an add on craigslist for a 442. i could not get hold of him so i looked his phone number and name up and found his address. i drove to his house and knocked on the door. i was to late, someone else done the same thing i did the night before and got the car. he said that his phone was dead and did not know it. he could not believe that people would just show up at his door for the car. i told him it was because it was a good deal and nobody wanted to miss it.

[ijasond]

Originally Posted by Redog

The worst that could happen is they throw the letter away

Well, technically it is a federal offense to use someone else's mailbox for any purpose. And since your mailbox actually belongs to the US postal service and not to you, the worst that could happen would be that you would be charged with tampering with federal property(i.e. opening and adding to) or you could actually be charged with impersonating a federal agent. Yes, the postman is a federal agent. Though not exactly the first person you think of when the words "federal agent" are used.
Not likely, but it is the U.S. government we are talking about. They could if for some reason they really wanted to.

[wolfman98]

First off I would just go and knock on the door and ask if they were interested in getting rid of the car. I would not mention sell as that would start that part of the conversation too soon.If they do want money and you think too much then say nothing but ask to look at the car with the person selling it. point out everything that is wrong but in a way where you are sounding disappointed ( like a badly rusted part is no good cause that's one of the parts you wanted , whether it is or not). Got to make it sound like you are doing him a favor cause it's not what you really wanted but it might have some good parts.

[agtw31]

Originally Posted by jensenracing77

i am so bad that i seen an add on craigslist for a 442. i could not get hold of him so i looked his phone number and name up and found his address. i drove to his house and knocked on the door. i was to late, someone else done the same thing i did the night before and got the car. he said that his phone was dead and did not know it. he could not believe that people would just show up at his door for the car. i told him it was because it was a good deal and nobody wanted to miss it.

what is also neat when going to somebody's house,is then they tell you what the neighbors might want to sell.


i drove 40 miles to a a guy's house yesterday to buy a 70 Buick GS grille,i have to go back this weekend to pick up some old speed parts for a 324 Olds off his neighbor..

[71rocket]

The ol' Jedi mind trick works for me.

[Olds64]

The ol' Jedi mind trick works for me.

Awsome!

This isn't the car you want to restore.

[lshlsh2]

Thanks for the ideas will stop by on fri if I can. If I can't will get a address and mail something. It is not to far away will go by in my cutlass one weekend.
Will let you know what happens.
Larry

[Redog]

the 98 is back, with a new top and tires

i doubt someone going to sell it now

[71rocket]

Originally Posted by Olds64

Awsome!

This isn't the car you want to restore.

I've yet to make it work on my wife.

[scrappie]

I have been driving past a house with a 70 442 Holiday coupe parked in the front yard for about 10 years. Every year I stop by, knock on the door and leave a note with my name & number. I met the owner back in 2000 and I just stopped by again today and knocked and the owner came out. I told him I am the person who keeps stopping by every year and if he was interested in selling the car. He said "no I don't want to sell it, I want to get it running" The car is rotting on every panel, the windshield leaks and the front cowl area is rusted, the bumpers have rust holes right through. The interior is black cloth with auto on column. I opened the hood years ago and noticed original air cleaner (no ram air) The one thing that keeps me going back year after year is the numbers I got from the carb: 7040256 and the original drivetrain. This guy is a little odd and the car is really gone. He thinks he's gonna restore it but it is gone. I want the car just for the carb. What do you guys think it's worth?
Anyways, I got to talking to him and he mentioned a car in a back yard up the street, I said where? he told me and I went up the street 1/2 mile and saw a 70 conv. with OAI hood in the back of another yard. I pulled in the drive and stared at the car. I said to myself " here we go again" I went up to the door and knocked with no answer. I then left a note with my name and number. As I was leaving a car pulled behind me in the drive. An older lady got out asked if she could help me. I said I was interested in speaking to the owner of the car. She said they are an older couple and she is their neighbor. She said O.K. I'll tell them when I see them. I said thanks and was on my way.
I guess you never know what you can find until you start poking around and asking questions. We shall see what happens. I'm not holding my breath.

[jensenracing77]

Originally Posted by lshlsh2

Took my son to camp and saw a 71 or 72 cutlass conv. possibly a 442 in a back yard rusting away. Probably parts condition. I have a 71 conv. and probably could use some parts off of it. It has a OAI hood.

I would like ideas on how to approach the owner about the car. Not in a great area. I can almost hear banjo music coming from the house.

Thanks Larry

Going by the house again on Fri.

have you stoped yet? keep us posted.

[jensenracing77]

Originally Posted by scrappie

I have been driving past a house with a 70 442 Holiday coupe parked in the front yard for about 10 years. Every year I stop by, knock on the door and leave a note with my name & number. I met the owner back in 2000 and I just stopped by again today and knocked and the owner came out. I told him I am the person who keeps stopping by every year and if he was interested in selling the car. He said "no I don't want to sell it, I want to get it running" The car is rotting on every panel, the windshield leaks and the front cowl area is rusted, the bumpers have rust holes right through. The interior is black cloth with auto on column. I opened the hood years ago and noticed original air cleaner (no ram air) The one thing that keeps me going back year after year is the numbers I got from the carb: 7040256 and the original drivetrain. This guy is a little odd and the car is really gone. He thinks he's gonna restore it but it is gone. I want the car just for the carb. What do you guys think it's worth? Anyways, I got to talking to him and he mentioned a car in a back yard up the street, I said where? he told me and I went up the street 1/2 mile and saw a 70 conv. with OAI hood in the back of another yard. I pulled in the drive and stared at the car. I said to myself " here we go again" I went up to the door and knocked with no answer. I then left a note with my name and number. As I was leaving a car pulled behind me in the drive. An older lady got out asked if she could help me. I said I was interested in speaking to the owner of the car. She said they are an older couple and she is their neighbor. She said O.K. I'll tell them when I see them. I said thanks and was on my way.
I guess you never know what you can find until you start poking around and asking questions. We shall see what happens. I'm not holding my breath.

this is exactly how i find cars and old 3 wheelers. it is as much fun finding them as it is working on and driving them.

[wmachine]

Nothing ventured nothing gained. Doesn't take much to stop and ask, or leave a note. Sometimes it is just being in the right place at the right time.
I can say it worked for me.

Back in the late summer 2001, I spotted an unfamiliar, but very nice '67 442 convertible parked at a local tavern. I left my "Oldsmobile business card" on his dash figuring he'd want to contact me, a fellow and *local* Olds guy.
Didn't hear from him until *2 years* later when he called me to tell me he wanted to sell the car and got my name and number from the card I left in his car. I ended up buying the car, and he never even advertised it for sale.
Yes, I still have it.

[lshlsh2]

Was running late didn't get a chance to stop. Going to go back this weekend or next. will be a nice ride in my cutlass.
Larry

[ent72olds]

This might be mean to do, but I've known people to call the town or city or whoever and complain about the guy with the old, unregistered car on their property. In my area here, it is illegal to have any unregistered cars on your property, unless they are garaged! The town inspector goes down, leaves the people a summons, and a date that they either need to reg the car, (and you can't do that w/o insurance) or get rid of it! That's your "18 inches of daylight". Go down and act like your helping the guy out and take the car off his hands!

[ijasond]

I've heard of it done that way. Seems a bit unethical. If Tony Soprano were into Oldsmobiles, I would imagine a similar scenario. I could probably only do that to a guy if he was a real a-hole.

[ent72olds]

Originally Posted by ijasond

I've heard of it done that way. Seems a bit unethical. If Tony Soprano were into Oldsmobiles, I would imagine a similar scenario. I could probably only do that to a guy if he was a real a-hole.

We do things a little different here in NY....