First of all, Joe, 66 SS 396 convertibles aren't exactly a dime a dozen. Granted, they are not nearly as rare as a dual quad 65 'cat, but they are pretty few and far between. Second of all, I never said that I WOULD sell one to finance the other, I merely stated that I COULD. I've been doing a little numbers crunching today and here's some food for thought; According to NADA guides, the convert could be worth a bunch more than the 'cat in today's market. http://www2.nadaguides.com/Values/V...akeId=1035&VehicleId=22162&Year=1966&ColorId= ...versus... http://www2.nadaguides.com/Values/V...akeId=1031&VehicleId=19325&Year=1965&ColorId= Also, I did a quick trip through the OPG catalog adding up what I could spend buying everything new for that chivvy only to get a serious case of "sticker shock" for my efforts. I could easily wipe-out the majority of that 10K just in parts! :shock: The current value of those cars would justify the expenditure, considering I don't really have all that much invested in it. That could let me "get out" when I finished it, if I chose too. I could probably even come out ahead, dollars wise. On the other hand, I could spend who knows what getting that cat to the same level ony to spend more than the thing could possibly ever fetch if I were to "sell out" after the job was all done. All brand loyalties aside, and from a purely economic standpoint, the bow-tie looks like the hands-down winner if my wallet had to chose which one to keep/finish. I have no idea what kind of value to place on that convert or what kind of money it would bring in it's present condition but I would doubt that I could find a buyer willing to give me enough for it to have enough to finish off my cat right. *For the sake of arguments, "finished off right" is defined as the level of detail that Ted (SpecialWagon65) has lovingly given to any one of his fine family of felines. The good Doctor Detail (thanks bro!) has given me a good idea; I think that I might just use ebay as a barometer to see how much EACH of them might bring in right now as is. The enlightenment it could provide me might just be worth the eighty dollars in "tuition". All things considered though, I would probably want to keep the 'cat if I were forced to chose between to two. :Brow: :TU:
It comes down to which one you enjoy more. But all things being equal I'd hang on to the Wildcat. Yes the Chevelle is not a high numbers car but which would I rather have, a convert that has many non convert cousins available in every trade paper on a daily basis, or a Buick that is literally a one of a kind car from a model that is rarely seen as it is? I have 3 sons and if I had the choice of which one I would be handing down to them it would be the Cat. Restore that bad boy and you've got yourself a museum piece.
when my wildcat is done, that chevelle is gonna look plain silly next to it as compared to your wildcat when we meet up at bobs or pomona or somewhere-course while i like most everything, im a buick owner at heart.
Oh sure, Scott, go ahead and rub my nose in "The One That Got Away"!! :spank: :ball: That's hitting below the belt, can I call a foul?? :laugh: :laugh: Should I be considering finishing the Chivvy first then selling it to finance the kitty instead?? :Brow:
There's a lot more Chevelles out there than nice Wildcats, you'd kick yourself in the end. Remember the Chevy is a lot more replaceable....
Hmmm....ya know, I've heard differing opinions on this also. So, I tried to look it up. I did find this definition for antique being at least 100 years old but, it seems to lend toward items other than cars. Obviously cars from the 20's & 30's are antiques and have been for some time. It's all very murky looking for "classic" or "vintage" not specific about years old. My guess in cars would be 20 to 25 for classic. Antique at 50. Here's the definition anyway. "Opinions differ as to what is an antique. However, experts consider three factors in judging the quality of a piece and its value as an antique: (1) its age, (2) its artistic value, and (3) its historical importance. According to the United States government, which levies no import tax on antiques, an item must be more than 100 years old to be an antique. Most collectors also use this standard."
hey rob, tell your buyer you know where there is one that needs a little more work than yours but will still fit the bill-id take 8 and pay you a nice finders fee!!:Brow:
I have decided NOT to sell-out afterall. :bglasses: Thanks to everyone who has helped me come to my senses! :beer ...and PLEASE excuse my momentary lack of reason. :spank: I geuss that I should at least try to finish off the convert before I unload it. :shock: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/auctionresults/common/cardetail.asp?id=175186
Excellent decision. After all, you can't drive your bathroom, but you can use the Wildcat for a ..... ou: UH no, ..... nevermind. :grin:
Even MORE Tempting... That guy who wants my 'cat called me back today... He has upped his offer to FIFTEEN GRAND!! :jd: How much GS455 would that get me? :Brow:
If you really want to part with it, make sure you are getting a fair price for it. If this guy is willing to spend this much, either he really likes the car or knows something you don't know. I would have that car appraised before making any deals.:bglasses:
This is a reread for Robert, but I want the Buick Brothren to see my argument. From where I sit, you eat/sleep/breathe Buick. You somewhat have the holy grail of cats. I would probably still hang on to it. What was that '66 GS convertible pulling down on ebay? 30's or 40's or more? ....and that thing wasn't accurate, yours is. I've seen your argument of the Chevelles worth based upon the Barret-Jackson auction. What do you think those high-end guys will do when the Super Wildcat comes across the block? I'm talking about the big whale that has every trite car out there in his stable...except the Super Cat. I think it will pull the $'s back out that you put into it. It is a rare car. Hang on to it. YOU CAN'T DENY YOUR GENETIC CODE. YOU ARE A BUICK MAN. :bglasses: Rick
I had someone offer me close to 5000 for my Skylark when I first bought it... was it worth it? No, not at all. I paid all of 1800 for it. I kept it because its my first old car and to part with it would be extremely hard. I know its not worth 5000, I would never expect to pull 5000, I know its "just a Skylark"... but its still something to me. It's something to show my dad that I don't need him to teach me to do something that he thinks I can't do... What does the cat mean to you? Sure its a rare car, but its individual meaning and value that counts...
