Age old Mystery!! Owner won't sell!!

FIA-ERA · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 09:28 PM

Why is it that a lot of people out there will just not let go of an old car that they clearly will not EVER do anything with! I've passed a 1969 Mustang Mach 1 in a neighborhood for over 8 years, will not sell. He has had three car covers wear down to the ground and still will not sell. I know of a 65 Mustang 2+2 GT that has been sitting since 1976 and still will not sell! I've just recently found a car I really want but again, will not sell. WHY!!

Out of all of these folks, they all have been offered absurd amounts of money and still will not sell. I do understand the bond of cars as I still have one of my cars from 20 years ago. Yes, it needs a lot of work and I will fix it but these folks will never fix these cars and will leave them to rot!

I've also been at the wrong time when some finally do want to sell, as I've shown up a day short.

So my question is: How or what is the best way to encourage someone to sell a car that they will never complete. How to be respectful and not harass them but to politely show them that you would take pride in their car and bring it back to perfect condition? From what I've seen money isn't the key as that just justifies them wanting to hold on to it. So what is it that makes them hold on to something and let it just ruin away? Any tips out there to help another get a dream car? Should I offer up a trade? Should I offer up a replacement "new" car for them? What has worked for others? Thanks!
Regards, Matt

Paul F · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 10:14 PM

That's a tough one. Your right about money not being a motivator. Like any obsession, logic or reason do not apply. If they are truly obsessive about it, nothing will work. Non-offensive persistence might have a chance. Over a period of months (years?) of many many visits, you might develop a relationship that will allow the trade to happen.

lal Naja · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 10:46 PM

Dear Mr. So and so,

I've been driving past your car for eight years and every time I pass it by my heart skips a beat.

Would like to introduce myself to let you know, that if you ever decide to find a good home for your pride and joy, I'd love to be first in line to to do just that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From your stand point, what good memory do you have of such a car. Add that to your introduction letter. Better yet send a fun car card.

Good luck.

tin-man · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2011, 10:53 PM

[quote=lal Naja;1149197]Dear Mr. So and so,

I've been driving past your car for eight years and every time I pass it by my heart skips a beat.

Would like to introduce myself to let you know, that if you ever decide to find a good home for your pride and joy, I'd love to be first in line to to do just that.

So the guy introduces you to his wife and says take her.

Sorry, could not resist such an opportunity. tin-man

mreid · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 06:02 AM

I've managed to acquire two of these over the years (1970 Mach 1 and 1968 Mustang fastback GT) by outwardly admiring the car, showing pictures of past work, and most importantly including a statement in the bill of sale that says they have right of first refusal show I ever decide to sell it. Didn't work a few times, but when it did, it seemed to be the deciding factor. Good luck!

FWB · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 06:22 AM

i was told a saying when i was a young man, it stuck with me, and i think its appropriate now......

" some of the best decisions you make in life, will be made by someone else"

Tommy · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 06:38 AM

Matt,
The key is to understand why the owner is unwilling to sell the car. As you've ruled out cash value and immediate plans to restore the car, what else might it be? If the car has sentimental value (e.g., that's where he lost his virginity), he may die with it. But there is another reason I am beginning to understand better as I get older. If the owner is of retirement age, he may genuinely believe he is going to get around to restoring the car some day. Having a multi-year project out in the garage is one way old guys can pretend that they are going to live and be healthy for a very long time. Selling such a project is tantamount to accepting that you are not going to be in good health long enough to finish it, and few people are willing to take that step without a strong diagnosis from some doctors. ... If this is the case with the car you want, perhaps you can get the car you want with a swap rather than a purchase. Find out what kind of project the owner would take as a swap, and then search for that project. That way you get the car you want, and the old guy gets another project he can pretend he will finish some day.

FIA-ERA · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 06:53 AM

Thanks everyone! You all have hit the key thoughts I'm going through. Tommy, you've hit it dead on. The owner is in his 70's and although I haven't met him yet I can almost tell a lot about him. The one wrench in the works is the car is at a shop and I wonder now if the shop owner has control over the car. It's been there a long time and with out much work done to it. I'm going to try the "trading" side. I've been there twice and missed the shop owner both times. I don't want to be pushy but I really and genuinely am taken by this car and it's history. I'm trying not to show too much interest but it's really hard. I do believe trading might be the only way as they could step into that car that they might consider an equal and have instant satisfaction. I'm leaving here shortly, wish me luck. I have nothing to loose. If they accept, I have a great car to totally redo and if not I drive my great car home with a huge smile! Thanks for the responses guys!! I'll let you know! Regards, Matt

FatBoy · #9 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 07:00 AM

I have the same situation with a 1951 Vincent Black Shadow that I know hasn't run since 1958. It used to belong to the guy's father and although he will never have the funds to restore it and can't even ride a motorcycle, he won't even consider selling.
I think it will just rot into the ground, which would be a really great shame.

Paul

mrmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIA-ERA

Why is it that a lot of people out there will just not let go of an old car that they clearly will not EVER do anything with! I've passed a 1969 Mustang Mach 1 in a neighborhood for over 8 years, will not sell. He has had three car covers wear down to the ground and still will not sell. I know of a 65 Mustang 2+2 GT that has been sitting since 1976 and still will not sell! I've just recently found a car I really want but again, will not sell. WHY!!

Out of all of these folks, they all have been offered absurd amounts of money and still will not sell. I do understand the bond of cars as I still have one of my cars from 20 years ago. Yes, it needs a lot of work and I will fix it but these folks will never fix these cars and will leave them to rot!

I've also been at the wrong time when some finally do want to sell, as I've shown up a day short.

So my question is: How or what is the best way to encourage someone to sell a car that they will never complete. How to be respectful and not harass them but to politely show them that you would take pride in their car and bring it back to perfect condition? From what I've seen money isn't the key as that just justifies them wanting to hold on to it. So what is it that makes them hold on to something and let it just ruin away? Any tips out there to help another get a dream car? Should I offer up a trade? Should I offer up a replacement "new" car for them? What has worked for others? Thanks!
Regards, Matt

We call those "Cars held hostage" click the link and you'll see 54 pages of so of cars being held hostage by their current owners.

Bill S.

AL427SBF · #11 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul F

That's a tough one. Your right about money not being a motivator. Like any obsession, logic or reason do not apply. If they are truly obsessive about it, nothing will work. Non-offensive persistence might have a chance. Over a period of months (years?) of many many visits, you might develop a relationship that will allow the trade to happen.

A guy says to a lady in the lobby of the Ritz "you are about the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, I'll pay you $1,000,000 to have sex with me." She pauses and then says "ok". The guys then says "wait, I really can't afford that, how about $100?" She, raises her voice and says "absolutely not, I'm not a hooker!" He replies "lady, we've already established what you are, we're just haggling over the price".

If the price is right, there will always be a seller.

FIA-ERA · #12 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 07:35 AM

UGH! Bill your killing me! That is a great link and maybe I'll pull that one out for the last ditch effort. It really astounds me when they say "I've been offered 70K for it". Well, why didn't you take it!! You would have made way more money on it than trying to fix it then turn around and sell it. To me, the money isn't relative. There is a deeper connection to the car. I think I will have to prove my interest and show that I'm not out to just flip the car. What's funny about this car is I have a motor, a transmission, a rear end, spare brakes, and even the dealer installed air for this type of car. Well, off to see what happens! Bill, you'll be the first to know ole buddy

Regards, Matt

scaffold · #13 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 07:37 AM

Read the book "Cobra in the Barn". There are several instances where people convinced others to sell autos they'd held onto for many years

G-Pete · #14 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 07:57 AM

There a few old things which I will not part - including an old Triumph chopper frame. Many times I've been ask, do you sell that one "No" why not. Just because it's mine and don't need your money. If I want to sell something there will be a for sale sign on it...

289ACE · #15 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 07:59 AM

I have heard a story of a guy that was chasing a car that another person would not sell. He made a model of the car, painted it the same as the car he wanted, placed it on a nice wooden base, and gave it to the car's owner. The key thing he also did was put a label on the bottom of the base with his name and phone number. A few years later the car's owner called him up and said come and get it.

Jay

Paul F · #16 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

.......

If the price is right, there will always be a seller.

Your story is a good anecdote. But I disagree that there will always be a seller. Some people just don't care about money or rather, don't care about money when it comes to certain possessions.

It may be like putting a price on your child. Of course, there is no price. Some possessions just mean too much in a way that cannot be explained to anyone, including perhaps, the owner.

Tommy has a good example when he says:
"Selling such a project is tantamount to accepting that you are not going to be in good health long enough to finish it"

There are any number of reasons a car represents something we cannot let go of, no matter the price. Beyond that, there are mental issues such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that no amount of money or other motivations can overcome.

FIA-ERA · #17 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 03:23 PM

Well, no luck today... I met an inside friend of the shop owner that will put a "bug" in his ear. I spent about an hour just talking with his friend, nice fella. It kind of concerns me that the shop owner supposedly has the title in hand but the original owner doesn't want to sell? How is that going to work? What kind of laws surround that one? The shop owner has had it there for over 5 years! They have done some minor work on the car and the owner has paid some money but that's it. At the end of the day is possession really 9/10's of the law?

Thanks for all the comments and advice! This will be interesting and one I will continue to pursue. Regards, Matt

Tommy · #18 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 04:41 PM

Matt,
Figuring out the title situation could save you a lot of wasted time. Unless the shop owner holds a title signed over to him by the previous owner, I don't think he has much stake in this except for whatever is owed to him for work and storage. ... Beware if the guy trying to sell a car cannot produce valid ID showing him as the guy who's name is PRINTED on the title. I once had a guy try to sell me a car that he claimed to have bought from the original owner. He produced a title signed over by the original owner, but could not put me in touch with the original owner. I think he was just an amateur car salesman trying to avoid paying taxes on the car he was flipping. But, for all I know he had stolen the car and title, and forged the PO's signature. I passed on the deal.

Michael4yah · #19 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 05:36 PM

When I was in high school I bought Cars and Bikes and "fixed em up" and sold em. My first was a 57 BelAir then a 58 Vette, 64 Custom 427, a 650 triumph and a few others. I made up my mind that I was going to buy a new car before I graduated. On my 18th birthday I walked into Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina Ca. and bought a new 69 Nova SS 396/375. I sold it to go back to college but I know if I had it today I wouldnt sell it, period. Somethings in life are worth more than money. Its the memories you have in a car that refuses to let you sell em.

Pictures by Michael4yah - Photobucket

Ozzir · #20 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011, 09:10 PM

I have a 57 Chevrolet Bel Air that I won't sell. I rarely drive it and have many offers to buy it. It is restored and beautiful. I got it from my dad and he got it from his uncle and is the car my dad learned to drive on. It's been in the family since new. Still have the original bill of sale. I have a few crazy offers on it for way more than it's worth but I don't care. It's not for sale for any money. It has sentimental value and money can't buy that.