First off, happy friggin Friday!! It's been a long week here in SoCal. Anyway, my neighbor p***ed away and he has a '52 Chevy DeLuxe in the garage that he never got around to getting back on the road. It has a ton of sentimental value to his widow and I haven't even mentioned it for the p***ed year since he died out of respect. I saw her the other day and hinted around about the car. She said she was thinking about selling it but she didn't seem too serious or anxious about it. Should I press a little harder? Should I make an offer? How much?? It is a very straight car with the stock inline engine and three in the tree. It could be a *****in' cruiser in no time at all. I want to make an offer but my main concern is to honor him and be respectful to her. Any thoughts?? Thanx, Mike
Gentle inquiries are about all that the situation allows at this point. Sentiment is a peculiar thing. Respect her indecision. Help around the yard, offer to run errands, wash her car without her asking, you know, things a caring neighbor would do. Be her caring neighbor! And don't stop after you get the car....that is IF you get the car! It's her car! SHE decides when it's for sale. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! She deserves at least that! SDG Brett
I would ask her about the car, discuss the sentamental value, and let her know you would be interested. Maybe throw out a dollar amount so someone else doesn't lowball her. She might need time to let go of her husbands' dream, but will probaly be glad someone will carry one with his plans.
I would tell her that your interested in it. Even offer to take on a cruise once in awhile when you get it going. But I would definatly tell her you are very interested in it. But yes, I would not push her!
next time you see her, just ask her how she's doing. just general conversation and small talk. don't mention the car unless she does first. at the end of your little chat, just say that your still interested in the chevy, and when your ready to sell the car, here's my number, call me and we'll sit down and talk a little more and in the mean time, if there's anything i can do for you, let me know.
I agree, you can inquire and be respectful, if you dont, someone else that doesnt even know the dude will ask about it and they will probably end up with it if you dont how your interest
Tell her what you told us, and she'll definitely loosen up a bit!! If you have that much respect for her and her late husband, it should be a no brainer for her to see that you really are the one that should get it!
Ask, that can't hurt. Be polite and make sure she knows you're making a cruiser, and not cutting it up. Tell her you want it back on the road and you think her late husband would like that. Good luck, Adam
I wouldnt push the issue.It's not going anywhere.But if you talk to her ask her what her husband had in mind to do with the car.Mabey you can use some of his ideas in fixing the car.And take her on the frist ride and on one every now and then.
Reality is that the car would have more sentimental value and be more respectful of his memory if it were a running driven cl***ic. Not collecting dust in the garage. Tell her that you'll treat it will, won't cut it up and want to restore it in a manner that he'd be proud of. Money may not be a factor for her, but let her know that a car in that condition usually sellsf or $X and offer a bit more if she needs it.
Why dont you offer to get it running for her so she can drive it, tell her how much fun it is and how much you enjoy working on the car. Take her for a drive to get grocerys or some ****. Lightly mention that youd like to have a car like it if you can find one as nice as it one day.
Thanx for all the advice and such. I'm in no rush to buy the car and certainly don't want to come off heavy handed. I knew her old man and totally respected him and I intend to show her the same. She has family in the area that takes care of her so she's not lonely. She might be lonesome but not lonely if that makes sense. She does likes it when I slide by and have a smoke with her out on the patio though. I'm going to make some of my grandmothers christmas cookies ( bisqochitos ) for her soon. I know she'll dig those. She's cool and like you all said, if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Have a great weekend! Later on, Mike
Keep being the respectful neighbor and just let her know that if she ever decides to get rid of it you would like to be first in line and you would bring the car back to what her Husband was going to do with it.By the way not to many respectful neighbors left around,keep yourself on the list.