I'm wondering if there are services you can hire to check out a car like a custom. I know you can hire people for new, stock type cars, but are there people that know what to look for in older (1950's and earlier) customs? Any advice people can provide? The car looks "finished" and the price is really good (I could not build it for the price, even if I did all the work myself). He's not giving it away, but I'd really like some trusted eyes to check it out. Not asking for any favors, looking to hire a professional. Thanks
I had a friend from Dallas call me to go look at a car for a friend of his. I gave him my honest opinion about the car. That was the hardest part for me, because I knew he really wanted the car. Ask around here, there should be someone that could go look at it for you.
my buddy bought a merc from oklahoma sight unseen lost 6 grand on the floorless rat , the guy made a living out of ripping off hemmings readers but , we fixed it
One of the members here checked out a car in Atlanta for me, & wouldnt even take gas money.Tell us where it is & maybe someone lives close to it.
Ask here to see if there's someone close by who can look at it for you. I've done it a couple times for people on other car boards - it's kind of fun, I got all the enjoyment of checking out a cool car and driving it, but didn't have to pay for it.
I've bought and sold a few cars sight unseen. I was happy with what I bought and I believe the guys that bought from me were too. It really helps if you are buying from a "known" quan***y. Someone that is active on a forum (like this one) is a big plus. I paid some very decent coin for this one car sight unseen but felt pretty good because the guy was well known on the club forum. There are a number of appraisal outfits that will get an independent set of eyes on the car for you. Btw, as a general rule I think you are safer with projects then cars that are supposed to be "mint" when buying sight unseen.
Comet - Try www.oldcarpricing.com and see what area's they cover in the USA. If they don't cover the area where the car is located ask them for a referral to a appraiser in the area you want. joetro@sbcglobal.net this is their email. Hope this helps you out. I'm a friend of Junichi at Paradise Road in Nagoya, my wife is from Takahama south of Nagoya. Will be in Japan from September through December in Katsuura down near Awa-Kamagawa in Chiba. I'm going to try an attend Custom Hill Oonoji camping grounds in October. CRUISER
before you ask anybody to do it ***emble a list of items you require checked. engine,compression check... transmission,fluid color check,service records.... make sure the person that is doing the checking has video camera available. i have a friend that buy muscle cars and pays his lawyer to call the seller and records the conversation with the permission of seller. stage 2 send seller disposable digital camera with return postage. it sure ferrets out the "junk peddlers". and the bottom line is "how much money are you willing to risk! just looked at a car that was "restored" purchased for $35k and ended up needing $15k in repairs. good luck!
There are professional services listed on ebay and collector car trader. Price range from $99 to $250. However, read the fine print. Cl***ic cars, they will not drive, just look at. They will give you a written report and pictures. You'd probably be better off seeing if a Hamb member will look at it for you. A local guy bought a supposily restored '70 Chevelle SS. It looked good but under the carpet, the floors were rotted. $45K car was only worth maybe $25K.
Pre purchase Inspections are a service we offer. I am located in Tulsa, Ok. Would be no problem to do an inspection in KC. You would know exactly what you are getting before making a purchase. If interested, you can contact me @ 918-852-5987., http://www.autoappraisalnetwork.com/local/Tulsa.html
I would say find a good friend to look at it for you, probably won't cost you much and they would know what your looking for, how you feel about different aspects of a car, how you like work to be done, ETC. i say some one that KNOWS you needs to look at it
appraiser<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_4045088", true); </SCRIPT> ................................... You just sitting here waiting for a job or what? First post and NO INTRO , Like the rules say.......... I don't know if I smell fish OR spam.... But I don't think I would rely on someone who just jumps on a board to drum up business... If I'm stepping on toes Sorry , BUT if your legit you won't mine , (will you?)
one way, say it was a fairlane or caddy, look for the club for that brand, like the fairlane club of America, they'll have locals that can help out.
An appraisal would be a non biased opinion of the car. He'll tell you how it is, and pick the thing apart.
Since you are overseas,I'd recomend an appraisal service.I usually fly to look at stuff if within the US. I've had honest people mistakenly misrepresent stuff.Plane tickets are less than attornies.So are appraisers.
I used these people I am in Australia and got great reports and detailed photos http://autoappraisal.com/index.htm
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