Someone hit the lottery and buy this Stage

Joe,
Very nice convertible. I didn't know that was yours. Congratulations with the gold at the Nationals. You did a hell of a job. Good luck with the sale.

I know of a certain 1970 GS455 convertible that Joe did work on in 79 while in high school ........ she still looks good but needs to be restored now....It will happen one day but I just like driving it too much!!!! So Joe knows his Buicks................

Catch you later,
Lon

 

Joe,

It was great to meet you at the Nationals. Your car is awesome, and for anyone who hasn't seen it, the pics on ebay do not show all the incredible attention to detail spent when building it. Very, very nice work!! :TU:

Below is a pic taken at the GS Nationals with the correct NOS foams on the air cleaner for anyone interested. I have copies of a few more great pics that DL7265 took if your interested, just let either of us know (thanks again, DL).

What are you working on now (another concours car, resto mod, race car, etc.)?

Good luck with the sale - someone is going to be very happy with that car.

James

PS - Does it come with a fire extinguisher? :laugh:

 

Guy,Thanks all for all the kind words and compliments.It was great to meet and talk with alot of you at BG.I sure did not mean to start a firestorm.Just trying to get what I feel these cars should bring,when compared with lesser cars.I do think if it was a 4 spd it would command at lest 50-65 k more.I don't want to sell it,but have many other projects going.Sometimes for me the enjoyment comes from finding and then saving these incredible beasts.But if she does not find a new appreciative owner ,she'll just stay tucked away with her Buick siblings.And all you OHIO guys any time you get up in my neck of the woods please drop in,or anyone else for that matter.Guys again ,thanks for what I consider as"defending my back".Joe

 

Indeed all GS owners benefit from appreciating values, as do those who endeavor to gain anything rare and ultimately collectable. Escallating values are not by any stretch exclusive to the muscle car market. Think outside the box and be glad you don't (or maybe you do) have a soft spot for fine art by the great masters. These are being cloned just as muscle cars are, but those that can be verified as original, will allways bring a premium when sold.

For 30 years I have been a collector of hand-built brass model locomotives. In the late 1980s I purchased two of these models new which I sold in the early 1990s for a handsome profit. The proceeds from this sale bought me a 70 Stage 1 car which I still have. Subsequently I learned there were only 16 of these models built, and it became one of my great regrets in life to have sold them both. In the years since I sold mine, I have only seen one for sale, and the price was over twice what I sold each of mine for. I passed on that one. Recently another one became available for purchase. The price was $7000 which is a cool 483% more than the original value. I procrastinated for about a week, then bit the bullet and made the purchase. I am happy I did. It will do nothing but appreciate.

In the mid 1980s I passed up the opportunity to purchase 2 different '70 Stage 1 convertibles because I couldn't see paying $10,000 to $11,000 for one. Was this unwise? Perhaps, but if I had the wherewithall I would beat a path to Joe's door and his beautiful car would be mine. Yes $200,000+ is a lot of money, and yes I may feel compelled to store the car away and not drive it, but for how long? A fresh restoration is only fresh for a limited amount of time anyway, so after a year or two it will have degraded enuogh that I would either drive it or spend the money to make it fresh again.

If we want cars to drive, we should be looking at driver quality cars. They are appreciating as well. If we want museum quality cars such as Joe's, we should find a way to buy them and be happy with our decision. Neither the driver, nor the museum car is depreciating in todays market. Tomorrow may be another story, but that is a risk that must be taken if rewards are expected.

Good luck with your auction Joe, I think your car is worth every penny of the "buy it now" (or regret it later) price.

 

For anyone who wants to see a professional do his thing,and some awesome cars ,drop by and say hi to Joe,you won't be disappointd.I've been there and Joe is a gracious host.
Is $220k a too much for a car,its worth what someone is willing to pay and how bad they want it,since Joe did this one I'm sure its perfect in every way and would cost anyone trying to duplicate it probably more.
gary