[1965gp]

My dad and I went to Mecum Kissimmee for the first time and walked the auction. Some of the finest quality Pontiac’s I’ve ever seen, and some very nice drivers.

After the big auctions in January we will often look at our list of cars and where their current value is. Some go up, some go down. For example our nice driver quality ‘73 K5 went down in our opinion this year. They are still hot, just not on fire. Our 97 WS6 Formula convertible is probably not worth as much as we thought since a 95 Firehawk convertible and 97 base Formula convertible both bid to 22k and didn’t sell. Rare yes, extremely desirable? Not as much as an anniversary car.

That brought up this question; if you take out the high end round port cars most of these cars are being bought with very little info. Not driving them, not feeling how fast or tight they are, not knowing if the AC works, top goes up or if it dies when you put it in gear. Does it knock under load? Does that fancy stereo even turn on? Do the 18” tires rub when you turn? WHO KNOWS.

You may get a chance to talk to the owner, but at a big auction like this and $50k in your pocket there is a lot to see and little time.

So let’s assume that all of these prices are being paid without having ridden in the car (and in most cases sat in the car).

Let’s use a 1970 GTO as an example.

If we say the average price of a D port non judge 1970 GTO was $65k at Mecum, we accept that is with very little knowledge. Now take my 1970 GTO when I sell it. The owner can ride in it, drive it, try all of the accessories, turn on the radio, listen to it idle cold and hot, see what the temp is when it is warm etc. etc.

How much is that worth? I don’t have the bidders working against each other but the potential buyer surely gets a more detailed information about the car they are purchasing.

Thoughts?

[unruhjonny]

I believe that these big auctions are not necessarily reflective of market value, but may be better in indicating market trends;
Nice vehicles listed in big auctions normally seem to bid up, but when you're selling a car privately, you probably won't ever have a bidding war - especially one where both bidders are bidding partially out of excitement.

[Half-Inch Stud]

I suspect there is a club and our cars might not be in it. it might be like fine art. Or maybe our car will bring the big bucks.

[1965gp]

I won’t have the bidding war, but if I were to sell I would definitely be asking more than I would have before.