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This has really been bothering me lately. I want to disclose as much about the car as I can, but have refrained from posting the picture of damage to the rear quarter from 1976. I want potential buyers to have full confidence in the car and how the damage wasn't junkyard material, but also I know that once I put this picture out there then it is out of my control. And, I'm not sure the future owner would ultimately want this floating around online.
I'm putting up a poll with this thread so you can let me know your opinions. Please comment also.
Here is how I can visually describe it for now:
The car was hit in the rear by an elderly woman coming around a blind curve. Dented from the front part of the driver's quarter panel, a few inches behind where the door latches. The lowest point was about where the wide stripe is, and the highest was just below that contoured part of the quarter that gives these cars the look they have. But, it didn't affect the top shaping of the curve at all. Going further back behind the tire, the wrinkles extended back to the rear bumper, along the stripe. I can't tell if that side lamp would have needed replaced or not. It isn't hanging out of the housing.
The door lines up, the trunk lines are good, the bumper is where it should be, and there was no glass broken. There was a half dollar size dent on the side of the bumper and it was replaced with an NOS bumper. Eric has the original bumper and can confirm. The car drives straight without any vibrations, you can ask him to comment on that also if you wish.
So give me your opinion on this. Vote and comment. Thanks.
Last edited by 70-442-W30; August 27th, 2016 at 05:16 AM.
I would think that the main reason any future owner might not be happy about a photo of the damage being online would be that it makes it harder for some future seller to misrepresent the car's overall state.
For now, it's your car. People post detailed photos of their restorations and eventually sell their restorations. I don't think buyers are that concerned about it. If you want to post them, post them.
So far the results are 7 in favor of posting the pic, 4 in favor of a good detailed description and current pics.
We'll see where it ends a few days from now. As I said prior, I have no problem showing the pic to someone who comes in person to see the car. I'm open to changing, but just was never 100% sure what to do.
My response is that you have already described it in a couple of places. You might as well post the pictures. It helps document the cars history good and bad. One may say, I don't want it because of the pic, another may say see that isn't so bad.
That's a good point Troy. I'm thinking about it. Never been in this position before so I have showed restraint and just kept telling myself once it's done, it's done. But, I definitely don't want people thinking it is worse than what it was either. So that gives me something to ponder on.
When I sold my car I made it clear to the broker that the buyer would know the faults of the car. It is what it is and in the end the car sold for what I wanted. I did that with a daily driver I owned that had a weird issue that I was afraid would kill the sale. I showed that three times I had taken the car to reputable shops to get the issue fixed and they failed to find it. That car sold too. I sleep good at night knowing that I did not try to hide anything to profit or help anyone else to misrepresent it in the future. In your case it is best to show before and after pictures and some of progress in fixing it to ease the buyers concerns.
Last edited by Gary M; August 27th, 2016 at 07:11 PM.
I'm not sure anyone could tell there was any damage by looking at the outside contour, besides the paint shading difference that faded over the years. The inside mostly looks as it should too, but there are a few differences between the left and right, but nothing looks like it doesn't line up. I will post current pictures of that area soon.
When I sold my car I made it clear to the broker that the buyer would know the faults of the car. It is what it is and in the end the car sold for what I wanted. I did that with a daily driver I owned that had a weird issue that I was afraid would kill the sale. I showed that three times I had taken the car to reputable shops to get the issue fixed and they failed to find it. That car sold too. I sleep good at night knowing that I did not try to hide anything to profit or help anyone else to misrepresent it in the future. In your case it is best to show before and after pictures and some of progress in fixing it to ease the buyers concerns.
No, I get that. But I also consider the fact that this car has never been for sale publicly before and the new owner might not appreciate his friends being able to track down old pictures of the car with some damage to it.
Maybe this doesn't matter as much as I think. A lot of these cars did have damage to them much worse than this or they were restored from rust and dust. I'm starting to lean in the direction of posting the pic.
I feel you're over-thinking this.
The damage happened, and was repaired 40 years ago. Think about that..... 40 years ago.
These cars were made to be used and driven. Bumps, bangs, and fender benders are to be expected in a car this old.
The fact that the repair still looks great should alleviate any concerns the future buyer should have.
I do feel that you should inform any future buyer of the damage/repair, and show him any other pics you may have of the damage and/or repair progress. If I was the buyer that would put me at ease to feel that the seller isn't trying to pull anything over on me.
Unless you're going for a 'Barret Jackson' price, this history shouldn't be a concern to anyone, including the buyer, his friends, his relatives, his neighbors, anyone who finds the pics online, etc...
I'd post one pic of the damage, and one of the inside pics of the repair you posted above. That should be enough for a buyer to form an opinion if he wants to pursue the vehicle any further.
I feel you're over-thinking this.
The damage happened, and was repaired 40 years ago. Think about that..... 40 years ago.
These cars were made to be used and driven. Bumps, bangs, and fender benders are to be expected in a car this old.
The fact that the repair still looks great should alleviate any concerns the future buyer should have.
I do feel that you should inform any future buyer of the damage/repair, and show him any other pics you may have of the damage and/or repair progress. If I was the buyer that would put me at ease to feel that the seller isn't trying to pull anything over on me.
Unless you're going for a 'Barret Jackson' price, this history shouldn't be a concern to anyone, including the buyer, his friends, his relatives, his neighbors, anyone who finds the pics online, etc...
I'd post one pic of the damage, and one of the inside pics of the repair you posted above. That should be enough for a buyer to form an opinion if he wants to pursue the vehicle any further.
That's true. 40 years ago was along time ago. I was 3.
I'm at 75% leaning toward posting the pic. I'm in full confidence though that nobody here would feel I was trying to pull one over on them though, even if I didn't post the pic. I've been very up front and posted pictures and details of about everything I could on this car. Some things people never share like their VIN tag, broadcast card, etc. However, when it hits eBay, you're right...there are plenty of people there that don't know everything I've posted, which is quite a lot.
Your post is very valid and informative. I'm glad you took the time to type it. Thanks.
Here we go. The voices have spoken and the pictures are in. I had problems taking a picture of a pic with the lighting and shadows, so I had to use my LED flashlight to help. So excuse any color issues.
Of interest: the Rallye stripes, of course, and also those wheels and tires were the same ones on the car when I got it from PA.
Last edited by 70-442-W30; August 30th, 2016 at 06:05 AM.
Reason: one pic too blue due to LED flashlight
Anyone please feel free to comment. Good or bad. I feel my description explained exactly what you see.
Also, I'd like to point out that the most important part of this picture, to me anyway, is that my wife was only a few months old and in the backseat with her aunt when this happened. It could have ended up a lot worse and I feel God was really watching over everyone.
This car is so well documented it makes perfect sense to post the ONLY picture of damage done 40 years ago. You can't go wrong with being honest. And chances are very high you'll be rewarded for it in higher bids (if that is what you are doing) and more money for the MIL which is the whole point of this car getting the attention it is getting.
Do you want to pursue having the car blocked and buffed?
This car is so well documented it makes perfect sense to post the ONLY picture of damage done 40 years ago. You can't go wrong with being honest. And chances are very high you'll be rewarded for it in higher bids (if that is what you are doing) and more money for the MIL which is the whole point of this car getting the attention it is getting.
Do you want to pursue having the car blocked and buffed?
Thanks for that Brian. That's right. I hope there is someone out there that has a special place for this in their garage. That would make my wife and I both feel great!
I sent your guy a text right after we spoke before and never heard back. I am pretty happy with it though at this point, and whoever is the next owner will undoubtedly paint anyway. I've been spending some time on it, with some top secret sauce at the advice of an old timer body guy - see here:
August 27th, 2016, 05:11 AM
