Selling a car for charity
Discussion
First of all many thanks to Paul for allowing the shameless plug.
We have just listed a car for sale that has quite an interesting story to it, every penny of the sale price is going to charity.
Some time ago a chap called James Baggott who is editor of Dealer magazine had an idea that he would somehow turn thin air into a Porsche 911 then sell it and in doing so raise a load of money for BEN, the automotive industry charity.
It's been a bit of a slog for the old boy and he has slightly missed his planned deadline of 2011 but the other day he went out and bought a Porsche 911 using funds accrued through his wheeling and dealing. We now have the job of providing the last link in the chain, turning said Porsche into cold hard cash which James can then present to the charity.
To help us in our task the team at Porsche GB gave the car a little tickle in their workshops free of charge, then Autoglym took the car and spent some considerable amount of time waving their magic sponges and pouring elbow grease on the bodywork. Finally Autotrust have agreed to slap 12 months cover on the car courtesy of one of their Formula 1 warranties.
You can see the car in all its glory in a forthcoming issue of GT Purely Porsche as well as on our website here
So if you fancy a not overly expensive modern day Porsche 911that comes with the knowledge you've also done your bit for charity give us a call.
All the best
Henry
We have just listed a car for sale that has quite an interesting story to it, every penny of the sale price is going to charity.
Some time ago a chap called James Baggott who is editor of Dealer magazine had an idea that he would somehow turn thin air into a Porsche 911 then sell it and in doing so raise a load of money for BEN, the automotive industry charity.
It's been a bit of a slog for the old boy and he has slightly missed his planned deadline of 2011 but the other day he went out and bought a Porsche 911 using funds accrued through his wheeling and dealing. We now have the job of providing the last link in the chain, turning said Porsche into cold hard cash which James can then present to the charity.
To help us in our task the team at Porsche GB gave the car a little tickle in their workshops free of charge, then Autoglym took the car and spent some considerable amount of time waving their magic sponges and pouring elbow grease on the bodywork. Finally Autotrust have agreed to slap 12 months cover on the car courtesy of one of their Formula 1 warranties.
You can see the car in all its glory in a forthcoming issue of GT Purely Porsche as well as on our website here
So if you fancy a not overly expensive modern day Porsche 911that comes with the knowledge you've also done your bit for charity give us a call.
All the best
Henry
Edited by Henry-F on Thursday 1st March 14:05
I've been following the story that lead up to this car in each month's edition of Car Dealer - it was no surprise to learn in the latest issue that Henry had stepped in and volunteered himself to market the car. 
The car looks great and good value but don't be under the illusion that the magazine has invented alchemy and found profit opportunity in cars where no-one else could. The sale price is considerably less than the sum of their trade purchase price, the work at Porsche and all the other prep. This makes it great value for the buyer of course and the project has gone to show that various companies have done their bit for the cause (for example the first 2 cars in the chain were donated and following their sale they soon had their first grand to continue with). This car is now a minor celebrity (I'm sure Car Dealer would be happy to provide all the back issues that document the project from start to finish) and will always have its interesting story to tell, which should also help it when the time comes to pass it to another owner.
The car looks great and good value but don't be under the illusion that the magazine has invented alchemy and found profit opportunity in cars where no-one else could. The sale price is considerably less than the sum of their trade purchase price, the work at Porsche and all the other prep. This makes it great value for the buyer of course and the project has gone to show that various companies have done their bit for the cause (for example the first 2 cars in the chain were donated and following their sale they soon had their first grand to continue with). This car is now a minor celebrity (I'm sure Car Dealer would be happy to provide all the back issues that document the project from start to finish) and will always have its interesting story to tell, which should also help it when the time comes to pass it to another owner.
That's stunning value! Looks like an awesome car for £12k, and with all proceeds going to charity what's not to like.
mollytherocker said:
Henry
This is fantastic gesture. Some may say that its a smart one, but not me, I think you are genuine.
Well done.
MTR
PS - How about them sandwiches. I have bought a pot to piss in.
The cynic in me would say it's a nice PR stunt, I bet the paper work says he has zero responsibility for the car, hence the 'free' third party warranty, but I always like to think positive, so well done to Henry for getting in there quick.This is fantastic gesture. Some may say that its a smart one, but not me, I think you are genuine.
Well done.
MTR
PS - How about them sandwiches. I have bought a pot to piss in.
Keep smiling
It's times like this when you start to question life and the people who make it up. If anyone wants to step in and deal with the sale please come forward. I'm not aware there was a huge queue of people lining up offering their services but if you feel I've elbowed you out of the way speak now or forever hold your piece.
No, we are not marrying the car once it leaves us, we had no hand in its purchase and are merely allowing the charity to benefit from our sales platform. It was at my suggestion that they arranged a bit of a warranty so as to package the car up. Initially they struggled, A fairly well known warranty company said they would cover the car but only for 3 months and with a £35 per hour labour rate! I suggested that might not go very far so James managed to get the current company to kindly step in.
Do I think James will be hanging up his editorial pencil in favour of a sheepskin coat? No I don't, his biggest stroke of good fortune was when Kia gave him a grass covered car which one of the dealerships subsequently bought to put in the showroom. I can't say I've seen that many grass covered cars going through the block in my time. Quiet a specialist niche within the trade
We have a place in Gosport where the Dealer magazine offices are, in fact I can see their office from my window and their yard is where I have my boat pulled out every year so it all knitted together and seemed right.
The car isn't perfect but it isn't the most expensive 911 in the world either and I've seen people bid more at a dinner function to see a game of football. No one is taking anything out of it, BEN gets the lot, so possibly not a car to disect in the usual Pistonheads style. Any of our other stock please feel free but see this one for what it is. Thanks
Henry
No, we are not marrying the car once it leaves us, we had no hand in its purchase and are merely allowing the charity to benefit from our sales platform. It was at my suggestion that they arranged a bit of a warranty so as to package the car up. Initially they struggled, A fairly well known warranty company said they would cover the car but only for 3 months and with a £35 per hour labour rate! I suggested that might not go very far so James managed to get the current company to kindly step in.
Do I think James will be hanging up his editorial pencil in favour of a sheepskin coat? No I don't, his biggest stroke of good fortune was when Kia gave him a grass covered car which one of the dealerships subsequently bought to put in the showroom. I can't say I've seen that many grass covered cars going through the block in my time. Quiet a specialist niche within the trade
We have a place in Gosport where the Dealer magazine offices are, in fact I can see their office from my window and their yard is where I have my boat pulled out every year so it all knitted together and seemed right.
The car isn't perfect but it isn't the most expensive 911 in the world either and I've seen people bid more at a dinner function to see a game of football. No one is taking anything out of it, BEN gets the lot, so possibly not a car to disect in the usual Pistonheads style. Any of our other stock please feel free but see this one for what it is. Thanks
Henry
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff