ON Sunday, Tokyo and I went to a swap meet in Delaware, Tokyo posted photos of the pair of chrome flathead heads that he bought there, Spike posted a photo of a cool gas pedal that he got there.. I havent posted any photos of the junk I bought but .but while I was there I met an old timer who had some parts for sale at the right price being the fool that I sometimes am I had asked Tokyo to drive so we hadnt brought my pickup truck, no problem the guy says.. pick it up later. turns out that this gentleman lives about 15 minutes away from me, so last night I went to visit. This guys out in the country at least for this part of Pennsylvania anyhow, so hes got a big garage and a larger piece of property than most.. Just inside the door of his garage sat this 60s ford Fairlane which was nice and all, but those cars just arent my style.. However, as we proceeded further into his shop, I noticed the nose of a 39 ford deluxe.. Suddenly I thought to myself cool now thats more my style As I proceeded I quickly realized that this 39 wasnt the typical sedan or coupe but rather, a somewhat more unique (and rare) convertible sedan . In ready to run condition lisc'ed and Taged as well... further in the conversation I learned that this gentleman had owned the car for some time but hadnt driven it in the last few years.. DURING Our discussion I managed to steer the conversation toward the subject of a car that I am searching for, a year and BODY STYLE that I really, really, want . This gentleman started telling me about several cars he knew of.. BUT then he mentioned a car that was also in MY TOWN further he recalled the name of the man who owned it and.. the street he lived on I must have repeated the guys name and street 100 times in my head (like when you get a hot chicks number and dont have a pen!) This morning I did a Google search for this gentlemans name and street, found his address and used Mapquest to plot a course from my house to his... Turns out that the drive time from my house to his will be 7 minutes... NOW how the hell do I approach this guy about the car that he MAY or MAY NOT have? or that may or may not still exist? Has anyone else been in a similar situation? If so how did you proceed.. its a long shot but so far the story checks out. I dont think I want to just show up at this guys door saying I hear you have this 19** **** in your garage, and I want it So how can I make a move? Thanks, Sawzall
Go over and knock on his door, tell him you were talking to so and so @ the swap and he had mentioned that he might know a fella that has a car like the one you want for sale, talk to him, have a beer with him, then ask him if he does indeed have that car and if it's for sale
Knock on his door and tell him exactly why you're there, you were recommended to him by the old guy at the swap meet and you are interested in seeing his car. You don't even have to say that you are looking to buy it, just let him know that you have a special interest in these cars and like to admire any that you can find. I had a guy at a seminar once say that you don't have to go into a prospective employer's office with a resume in your hand when looking for a job...a manager is much more interested in someone who has shown an interest in his company and product line than in someone who just walks in "looking for a job". I guess the moral of this story is to share your interest with this guy and maybe he will feel good enough about you to offer the car to you (assuming he's ready to part with it), good luck...you never know you may just make a new friend.
I have done this a few times when I worked at the auto parts store guys would always tell me about car they knew about sometimes the person telling me about the car didn't know the cars owner.I found out if your honest with them it goes well and I met some new people that way.One of my father inlaws freinds knew I was looking for a Scotty he saw one in a guys yard when visting family.So I went to the guys house and asked him about it turns out this guy had a bunch of stuff to sell and some he didn't but he showed me around the whole place I was there for 2 hours. So just go knock on the door who knows you might get lucky. The only thing he can say is no.
I think you should have Kathy ask. For some reason, old men always seem to like younger women. PS- She should bring cookies. If the old man doesn't want them, I do.
PPS- In all seriousness, just go knock on the guy's door. Last weekend Allie and I knocked on someone's door based on a lead we got from ChrisInPhilly, and it all worked out except that I didn't like the car.
What the others' said...I'd be flattered if word got out on the rides I have for sale and someone (unknown to me) showed up (genuinely interrested and willing to buy) UNLIKE the A-Holes I have encountered in the past few months! Mother F&^%$%'s & tire kickers, if you will...Come on, the damn car is $1500 bucks! And it runs and drives! (a rare Heritage '79 Thunderbird...)
.......show up wearing your "I suck for old cars!" shirt.....that should distract him........seriously, just be yourself and sincere, the rest is up to him. Maybe even drive the Ford. Seeing that at the curb, he would at least know that you are serious and have your shit together. (maybe even have the trailer hooked up for effect?)
I have many ol kars and some are visible from the street. I get MANY people stopping to talk. The assholes who come up and ask the very stupid question, "Are these for sale?" are told "NO, GO AWAY." You dont see any for sale signs do you? The guys and girls who come up and say, "I like old cars." are given a tour and we talk for hours. Does that answer your question, Sawsall?
Edmurder has the right idea...send a hot chick to the door to distract him while you dart around back to scope the garage and yard... Hey, it WORKS! When my buddy and I were broke back in the 80s, we'd order a pizza, then have his girlfriend answer the door naked and just nab the pizza from the driver with a sickly sweet "Thank You!", then shut the door! They never complained...but it was fun to watch them stumble back to their car from the window upstairs!
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