Classic car collection needs a new home - advice please...

[Wolfsbait]

Afternoon all,

Colleague of mine has come to me for advice on selling her father's car collection. Sadly he's suffering from fairly advanced alzheimers and can no longer drive + none of the other family members are interested in taking them on...terrible situation for the chap.

Anyway, they'd really rather not sell them in the usual classifieds way as the prospect of prospective purchsers arriving at the house in numbers would be distressing, so they're considering other options and indeed would like to know what the collection is worth to avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous dealers already circling.

I've suggested auction being possibly the best bet, but my ideas run out there, so thought I'd throw it open to the professionals!

Any ideas on possible options or indeed ideas of values would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

A

List of cars is as follows: (details from V5 docs)

C Type

3781 CC
Petrol
Manual
Heritage Engineering built
Jaguar running gear
Fibreglass body
Tubular chassis
Dark Green
First registered on 01.01.1970 – acquired on 13.01.1996
Zero tax
Approximate mileage – 29,954 miles

Alfa Romeo Spider

1960 CC
Petrol
Manual
Left Hand Drive
Soft top
Manufactured 1991
Black
Tan interior
Owned since August 1993
Approximate mileage – 125,810 Km

Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV

1962 CC
Petrol
Manual
Left Hand Drive
Coupe
Silver
Black interior
Manufactured 1986
Owned since 1988
Approximate mileage – 00539 km (think 100,539 km but not enough digits on the odometer – was 99,627 km in January 2008)

Porsche Carrera Targa

3600 CC
Petrol
Manual
Left Hand Drive
Coupe
Silver
Black interior
Manufactured 1996
Owned since 1999 Approximate mileage – 182,630 km


Jaguar ‘E’ Type – Series 1

4235 CC
Petrol
Manual
Sports
Soft top
Petrol
Grey
Blue interior
Manufactured 1966
Acquired 15.08.1997
Approximate mileage – 52,723 miles

Jaguar XK

4196 CC
Petrol
Automatic
Silver
Black interior
Manufactured
First registration 28.04.2006
Mileage – approx 34,000

Hotchkiss M201 Jeep

Left Hand Drive
Convertible
2200 CC
Petrol
Green
Manufactured 1962
Owned since 30.09.2003
Mileage – approx 1570 (on MOT Cert)

[BMWChris]

I'm no expert but I'd say auction too. Its quick, provides a degree of protection in that auction house will advise on values / reserves etc and a lot of them are LHD which might appeal to foriegn buyers / dealers (esp with current exchange rates) who might go to auctions but are unlikely to travel to see a car in the classifieds.

[guru_1071]

you could always contact bonhams, they have regular auctions and will be able to advise on best way to sell the cars (the classics, not sure the moderns will be their cup of tea (although is quite common to see the odd modernish car at their auctions)).

sure, there will be sellers comission to pay, but for ease and no hassle its probably the best way to sell a mixed collection. they also pick up and store cars (but will charge extra for this i think)

particually good if you just want the cars to be sold on with no dealings with the buyers or people comming round kicking the tyres.

also particually good if your not an expert, as they will take the photos and write the discriptions for the catalogue.

many dealers will also do commision sales, but again, finding a dealer who is interested in taking on a mix of cars may be hard, and then theres the time taken to sell and what not.

hope this helps

[belleair302]

It may well be worth seeking the advice of specialist sellers or garages....or even an insurance company (but add 25% onto their figures) to get an understanding of what each car is really worth. uy a copy of Octane and then start ringing up the more established marque specialists to see what their interest is.

Auctions have their plus points but cars can go for below their value...a delaer may well do a percentage sale and may well make your friend a better return and sell the cars to those with a passion not just an interest.

[Elderly]

Talk to these people H & H. http://www.classic-auctions.co.uk/contacts.php

They do auctions and private treaty sales, and cover the mixed dates of the cars you wish to dispose of.

(I'll give you £29.10 for the E-Type )

[williamp]

Bonhams might be a bit specialist for those sorts of cars (and therefore, they will have unnecessarially high charges)

Someone like H&H or Barons might be a better bet

[AndrewW-G]

Another nod for H&H, I had a client wanting to do something similar a couple fo years ago, H&H handled the whole thing for them, from arranging to have the cars picked up, valeting etc through to confirmation and payment post sale.

Another other option is to place them with a dealer on Sale or Return, same sort of costs as auction, but with slightly more of a return

[Wolfsbait]

Thanks for the advice so far guys...I'll pass it on and post the outcome. Good stuff. (I'm assuming the Jags are the most valuable?)

[davepoth]

The E-Type is the pick of the bunch, a series 1 soft top is worth serious money these days.

[Wolfsbait]

I had the E-Type down as the pick of the bunch too...I'm told it's the 'pride and joy' car and in a condition to match.

The Heritage C is alledgedly a stunner too, although I imagine rather harder to value.

[lowdrag]

H&H have a superb reputation bot only for being helpful and giving old fahioned service but also their commission rates are much lower than the other auction houses. As far as the Jaguars are concerned yes, the E-type will be the most valuable by far because it is the model the most sought after at the moment - the 4.2 litre series one shape with better seats and Jaguar gearbox. That would zoom out of the auction house and fetch around £40,000 minimum if it is in truly good condition. The C-type replica is harder to value because it depends so much on what has been done in the build and whether, like many, he built it himself or at the factory. Here is one that has been on the market for some time now:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jaguar-C-Type-Replica_W0QQit...

Again, I think this car will get better and more focused attention at a sale room. As regards the XK, more difficult being LHD but Ebay is a great market for such cars but in view of the practical situation then consign the lot to H&H and avoid any hassle. You'll get what the market feels is right (although trade not retail) but balance that, in this difficult situation, with wasting your time with tyre kickers and no-shows and I am sure you'll agree that auction isn't just the best option but really the only option. I am sure that I speak for all of us here when I wish you the very best of luck with the sale.

[Fane]

I'm sure that Bonhams would be interested. Speak to Tim or Rob.

[lowdrag]

Fane said:

I'm sure that Bonhams would be interested. Speak to Tim or Rob.

I'm sure they would be but look at the difference in the commission charged! If you are trying to do the best for the family there will be a lot more left nett if sold at H&H.

[Elderly]

Both Barons and H&H have sales this month.
Have a look at their catalogues, take a note of their pre-sale estimates (assuming they are realistic)
and then compare them to the actual prices achieved.

Don't be taken in by any auction house promising a big figure, with a high published estimate
and maybe a large reserve price.
High figures can put punters off even contemplating the item;
whilst a low estimate will often get everybody really excited and generate competition.

[mattman]

Don't discount the dealers so readily - look at a couple of reputable dealers on a website such as carandclassic.co.uk who sell similar stock, and invite them round to view and make an offer. Be clear that you are looking at other avenues/dealers etc and be nice, you might just be surprised. At least a dealer will give you cash and you won't get any comeback.

If you are not in a rush for a sale - consider asking a dealer to sell the cars on a commission basis - that way they get free stock for little outlay and you get a price you're happy with.

Auctions are fine, but the commissions are ridiculous sometimes so if you have the time, make sure you have a clear picture of whats being offered - You can always keep the dealer offers as a backup if they don't sell at auction

[dave de roxby]

Hi,

Well I certainly wish I had your dilemma!

For what it's worth, can I just put in my four penn'th?

Over the years, I have owned and disposed of more classic cars than most have had hot spinners.

When you are dealing with INDIVIDUAL cars, auctions can be a possible way forward, provided you are willing to take the risk of it not selling and can stomach the costs:

a) getting the car to the auction (OK if it drives and is road legal but costly if it has to be transported, maybe many miles and then back if it doesn't sell)

b) entry fee - most auctions charge one just to cover their costs of printing brochures, advertising, hire of premises if its a special location etc etc

c) Sellers premium (if it does sell)

d) sales commission

When you've got a GROUP of cars to deal with, the risks and costs are even greater.
If you have the space and facilities locally, it is possible to organise a private auction or contract in a local auctioneer. You'll still need to advertise extensively.

If you can find an interested dealer, you might just get an acceptable offer for the bunch and the physical disposal will be down to him. But every dealer is out for a real 'steal' - it's obvious really, that's what they're in business for.

The other option (with which I have had much personal success) provided you REALLY know the ropes is Ebay.

If done properly,
a) you can drastically reduce your initial outlay,
b) you get a chance to advertise your cars, internatonally if you like, over a period of days,
c) it is a pretty true test of the market, not just locally,
d) you don't have to move your cars, just wash and photograph them
e) if they don't reach your reserve, you can do it over again at little cost and effort
f) commission, compared with a live auctionhouse, is minimal
g) you can schedule things so it doesn't have to all be done on one day etc etc etc

What you need is someone to help who knows classic cars well, knows the market, knows how to sell on ebay, is a good photographer, can give good and accurate descriptions, knows a fair bit about business and the law after 50 odd years experience and would be willing to help for a sensible fee.

Now, I wonder where you could find such a chap. If you email me via pistonheads (just click on my name) I might be able to help. It would be worth a chat at least, no obligation!

David de Roxby

[qureshia]

The Porsche Targa (993) assuming it has FSH/ Mot I.e. driven lately, has to be worth early to mid teens.