Would you sell your baby?
#1
Would you sell your baby?
We have a '67 442 convertible. We've owned it since 1968. My neighbor and I restored it over a two year period about 5 years ago. We did it in the garage, engine, chassis, bushings, paint and all. It turned out beautiful. I've got a lot of hours in it but not a lot of cash. People inquire all the time if it's for sale. I always say no. Had a guy last year offer $45K and I turned him down.
Talked to a guy at a car show last weekend. He's got car dealerships and a fair sized collection of beautiful cars and he wants mine...bad. He offered stupid money for it, BJ money. I could build another one just as good or better or buy another Olds 442 convertible of another year, paint it, and drive it but it wouldn't be the same one. I brought my kids home from the hospital in this thing. I doubt I'll ever get another offer like this again. My wife says don't sell it and I'm kind of leaning the other way.
What would you do?
Talked to a guy at a car show last weekend. He's got car dealerships and a fair sized collection of beautiful cars and he wants mine...bad. He offered stupid money for it, BJ money. I could build another one just as good or better or buy another Olds 442 convertible of another year, paint it, and drive it but it wouldn't be the same one. I brought my kids home from the hospital in this thing. I doubt I'll ever get another offer like this again. My wife says don't sell it and I'm kind of leaning the other way.
What would you do?
#7
yeah BJ money i would sell, you still have the memories ya cant take those away but the car is "just a car" albeit a special one.
with the money you can get another car and take a vacation or treat the kids to something or quit your job....haha ok maybe not that last one
with the money you can get another car and take a vacation or treat the kids to something or quit your job....haha ok maybe not that last one
#14
You are the only one who can answer that question. And it sounds to me like you've already made your mind up, just need some reinforcement. I'll offer some different advice though. Don't try to replace it, get a different year or color. You might feel guilty with a lookalike in the garage.
#17
#18
It's a tough call. I sell everything, eventually. I also regret not keeping everything, for one reason or another. You've owned that car so long now, I think I'd follow Bernhard's advice and keep it if you don't need the money. I can't even imagine owning a car that long. Heck, I'm almost not even that old !!
I have to admit, though, I enjoy when a car is gone. It frees up more room and time for searching out new toys.
Tough choice, glad it's yours to make, and not mine.
I have to admit, though, I enjoy when a car is gone. It frees up more room and time for searching out new toys.
Tough choice, glad it's yours to make, and not mine.
#26
Then laugh on the way to the bank and make more memories.
#27
Whats Stupid money? 70-80-100? If so take it! You can buy another (restored) and put 30-40 in the bank & buy something shiney to shut the wife up to boot. No brainer there. However if its only 10-15 over what it should be worth keep it IMO.
#28
I had a similar quandary not long ago with my 1970 Dodge Charger. I had owned it for 18 years, restored it myself, loved the car and did not think I would ever sell. Long story but I saw a 1969 Vette that I really liked and offered the Charger to a guy who had been after me for a while to sell it. We made a deal and I went to make the deal on the Vette and it sold the day before and I was stuck with no car. The end of the story is I found this Cutlass Vert I am restoring and having a blast doing it. I will still have some money in the bank from the Charger sale and am really enjoying the new project. If retirement is in your near future a new project may be just what you need to kill some time.
#30
I can only think of one car I regret selling (my '33 ****** coupe). But the reality is, I did the right thing at the time. Got a good price and could concentrate on building my home and shop here in Florida. Now, I wouldn't want to pay what I got for it to get it back. I learned a long time ago that everything has a price, you just need to decide what the right price is. My current Vista Cruiser could have a new owner if someone made the right offer. "Stupid Money" is always my favorite price when I'm on the receiving end. Good luck with your decision!
#31
#36
#37
If you have that much love for the car but are leaning towards selling it then it must be a lot of money. I have never owned anything that long, hell I've only had mine for a year and half and have already considered selling it for a new project (my wife won't let me either) so I can't really relate. But you mention the memories, and if your going to get a lot of money you can use that to do other things and make some great new memories with your family. Tough decision, only you can decide. Good luck
#39
The wife is adamant against selling it. She helped remove and install the engine, as well as the tranny and clutch so she has some sweat equity in it, too. She's always ready to go to a car show or a cruise. The potential buyer was interested last year, is more interested this year, and hopefully will retain his interest next year. Honestly, there would be a tear in my eye when it went down the road. I'd love another project and the cash to do it right but for right now, I think we're keeping it. Thanks for everybody's opinions. There were some points I hadn't considered. I hope this isn't "A case of where two fools met."
#40