Harmon Estate Update...

SamJ

JIM HARMON ESTATE

PARTS

NEW & USED PLUS A FEW PARTS CARS

Professionally appraised @ $178,000.00

ASKING &75,000.00--- O.B.O.



Send $25.00 for package CD appraisals to

Contact: Douglas Bomarito, Attorney for the seller

Office: 1-503-223-8285

Fax: 1-503-223-6827

7157 SW Beveland St.

Suite 100

Tigard OR 97223



No cherry picking! LOT SALE ONLY

oldhudsons

as they used to say on "Laugh In", "veddy interesting".
What if no one has $75K "loose change" hanging around, then what???????????????????

lsfirth

Holy cow.....I was just down in Portland and tried calling Chris Dirk.... who I guess tried to take over the operation after Jim passed. I see now why I never got a call back.... I guess a coupe door would be cherry picking :-) I've been to the Harmon estate....wow all that stuff for 75K does indeed sound like a deal. I just wish Jim was still here.....he was one of the greats!!!! Hope all this works out....

Lee

hudsontech

oldhudson if nobody had $75k in loose change lying around maybe better have somebody haunt the local scrap yard and land fill so when the stuff starts getting tossed somebody will be there to catch it.
Back in the 70's an old dealership in Massachusetts still had a lot of parts, but wouldn't sell. One day somebody called me and said get down here NOW. Seems the garage was tossing the old parts into the local landfill. Several of us were soon onsite and as fast as they were tossing we were collecting. Crazy.
I've been forwarding this info to a club member who's looking for a parts stash - keep your fingers crossed.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

[Deleted User]

I can afford $500 to donate to a LLC parts partnership if there are other club members interested.

oldhudsons

Alex - as I recall, a year or so ago Jim listed the entire property for sale to inc. the cars & parts but got no takers. It's a beautiful home & property. I feel sorry for the widow + she was anathema to the whole "Hudson thing" the times I was there.
The logistics of moving all his stuff is a scary thought in itself having rifled thru his buildings, shelves, etc. & being showed garages you couldn't even get into as so crammed! He had a lot of stuff he didn't even know himself what it was.
If they can't sell it this way they could consider turning it over to someone to sell on consignment such as Al Saffrahn or perhaps Jason (Bill Albright's grandson) as I believe both of them have the room to store it. Of course you have to have someone who has the time & the organizational skills to separate it, figure out what everything is, price it, AND is willing to take the monstrous amount of time it would then take to package & ship it!!!!!!!! (of course anyone interested in buying the whole lot as it is now offered runs into the same problems as they are going to want to sell most or all of it to recoup their $$$$).

hudsontech

Way I see it if they can't sell as a lot then they should have one hell of an auction!!!! And you are right on selling to get their bucks back - gonna take a while as we all know Hudson folks are, for the most part, frustrated stock brokers (buy low, sell high - )

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

MikeWA

This is probably going to turn out badly- they'll hold out for a "fair" price, right up to when they sell everything to a salvage guy for scrap price and everything is lost.

They should at least drop the CD price to 5 bucks or so, to cover "shipping and handling", to get the word out to as many folks as possible. I suspect they priced it at 25 to weed out the "tire kickers", but I think you want tire kickers, in this situation, where all you have to do is get a bunch of CD mailers and address them. Can never tell when a kicker might turn into a buyer, or knows someone who might.

I'm going to write to the attorney, to see if I can make some kind of arrangement with them to handle the CD mailing, to maximize exposure. Jim was a good man, and it seems like we should try to do something to help.

oldhudsons

Unless they're lucky they're going to have to have an auction, which would probably last a couple of days then give those who buy the heavy stuff, such as engines (he had them on racks several rows high) a week to remove it. Riggs would be a good auctioneer as he just lives over in Portland & sure "knows his stuff". The family could get some "good money" out of a properly run & organized auction then whatever is not sold either junk or give away. Auction could be a good way to sell the cars too - if some still in barns away from the home, could sell them in situ, buyer has a week to remove instead of the family having to hassle with that.
I'm sure the heirs facing some stiff inheritance tax numbers if his Hudson stuff appraised at that figure for taxes + value of his home and large property!?

TOM-WA-

What a shame that a lifetime labor of love gets reduced to a point in time when it's a decision between the scrap heap and money...

Unfortunately as the old timers pass on more and more Hudson collections will fall by the way side and much of our history will be gone with them...

lostmind

Here is the reason I liquidated my cars and collections,so my wife didn't have to deal with it.
I now watch and listen to you " young guys" go through what Pete and I did.
Not a bad thing to experience, enjoyed it all . Just didn't want to burden the wife.
Roy

Aaron D. IL

Of course we'd rather have Jim back than the collection but while we're talking about it,
I have thought for some time the Hudson club or an offshoot organization should form a mechanism to deal with such situations. That is, saving things from the scrap heap, storing them, keeping them in circulation, and without having stuff get resold at outrageous markups by speculators outside the world of Hudsoning. Heck they could sell off such collections at only a little markup to cover costs as a non-profit doesn't have to turn a profit. But any profit that was turned could be saved to buy other such collections. Afterall bottom line is they're not making this stuff anymore and yes you could have anything reproduced but how many parts reproductions are cost effective to do at such low numbers that they're needed????
But I know in HET as soon as you mention money in this organization to do anything it's not going to happen.

I'll say it anyway though, we need to take a longer view of things if it's going to continue another 100 years. For most Club members, even rich ones coming up with $75 K overnight when this type of thing happens isn't likely to happen. Even asking wealthier members to do so on all our behalf isn't reasonable. But 3000 members each putting in a little over time could result in a fund that's up to the task that could help us all. Which by my calculations in this case is $25 from each member. What would that $25 get you if you did that? You'd be saving $75 K worth of stuff to keep Hudson's on the road for only $25 without having to personally store all that and... Access to a stash of cars and parts available to only you as a member to buy as opposed to taking a chance on finding the same parts on the open market at a reasonable price IF you find them at all. I'm sure there's a framework to accomplish that which would work but there would have to be the will out there to do it.

RL Chilton

My brother and I had looked into this some time back. We weren't even looking at the parts cars, just the parts. Logistically, it's a nightmare. Parts alone would take approximately 3 semi-trailers, plus the cost of moving it somewhere else, plus having a place not to just store, but room to organize and go through what is there.

And it's unbelievable, the number of engines, rear-ends, front ends and other heavy items. There's a line of hoods probably all stacked together that's 35' or 40' long. The list goes on and on and on. It's a fantastic amount of parts for a restorer, or someone wanting to get into the used parts business for step-downs.

Money to be made? You Bet! Save all those parts from the scrap heap that just goes to China? Absolutely. For someone. I just don't have the facilities to store it right now. Otherwise, I'd be all over it.

SuperDave

AWH go ahead..! I'll cheer you on!!

[Deleted User]

I already said I could afford $500 worth of shares/membership in the "HET Parts Preservation Society, Not-for Profit, LLC". That will cover 19 of the nay-sayers.

Aaron D. IL

Thank you Pacemaker500! lol Now if only we can find a patch of land where it never rains and a lawyer to draw up the papers.

Russell - Which is exactly my point.... alone it's a monetary, logistical, and sorting nightmare. But with an organization (which could outlive the people in it from a preservation standpoint) it's possible. I mean really can you ask 1 man to spend $75 grand... move 1000 pound engines around.... spend $4000 shipping it to the piece of property he bought for who knows how much... sort, catalog, clean, repair, restore, list, ship all of those parts and cars. Too much for 1 man perhaps even in their lifetime. Very possible for a cooperative organization. A non-profit org could even take parts in donation form from Hudson owners who didn't want to burden their significant others leaving it all behind.

RL Chilton

Aaron, Pacemaker500-

We figured 15K to cover logistics. If I was in a position to do it, I would. In a heartbeat. It really comes down to how bad. I am reminded of a fella named Chapin, and Coffin, and Bezner, and Brady, who created an empire with so very little in the beginning. Anything is possible! And, it's actually one of my future goals, to be an orphan-make supplier. Currently, this particular opportunity is just too large.

I would absolutely be open to joining into an organization, however. Last thing any of us want to see is Jim's collection going to the scrap yard. Makes me shudder.

frank spring

Is the stuff all used? Does anyone know that answer?

RL Chilton

frank spring-

I have been told there is some NOS. Have not been able to verify what or how much.

2manyprojects

one should also consider the average age of your hudson owner when investing 75k. would you sell the majority of the parts before a large number of customers are no longer with us? also have noticed as a small vendor myself on ebay and at the national meets that as a whole these guys are ,i will just say very THRIFTY. also how do you ship large items around the country at a decent rate ? hoods, fenders and motors?

oldhudsons

F.S. - I don't recall seeing NOS there but there was so much, ??? The guy to ask I would assume would be Dick Riggs as lives in Portland, not too far from Banks, and must have known Jim for decades.
Having a background in economics I kinda look at things more from the practical financial side. If someone were to buy the "whole kit & kaboodle", got it organized, etc., etc., how LONG would it take you to sell enough of it just to recoup your intial $75 K???? Perhaps years!
Pace - that sounds nice but saying the Club had the $$$, where does it go, in other words WHO in the Club is going to do this? Look at the Club Store - about every 5 years they have to find a new manager & move all of it, which is a pittance compared to all the stuff Harmon has!
I know of 2 guys out here in the West who have the space, one being Al Saffrahn here in Az., but he's almost as old as I am & is "winding down" his operation.
Ah, but how about Jason, Bill's grandson, who I understand, along with his sort of "partner" (can't think of the guy's name, a former NARC officer) have supposedly cleaned up & organized Bill's "emporium". Jason is young, energetic (but also a college student), and the NARC is big, strong, smart, another real Hudson man. IF they have the $$$ could take it to Fontana, hire some guys parttime, etc., and perhaps get it back into the market & still "turn a dime", possibly make some good $$$ out of it in the long run, save the parts, and in doing so help put & keep a lot of Hudsons on the road - whatta ya think???

Browniepetersen

I have to think that Jason is not working with a big budget. He would have to have one or more partners. That means that someone would need to talk to Jason and work out a partnership. Most likely not going to happen.

I have seen some of these sales/auctions after the collector has passed on. Around here, that means that expensive cars bring much less than what they are worth. When the local Browning (Yes, that is Browning Arms) collection and parts were sold off it took three days, pre sales and about ten cents on the dollar. They made some big bucks--but not anywhere near what the collection should have brought.

There is a lot to be said for the collector that downsizes his collection with caution as he ages. Smart way to go... Another good way to go is to donate stuff to proper groups that can caretake your prized pocession and display to the public.

frank spring

Pete, I was going to take the kit and let you have the kabootle. Ed

Courtesy Man

Perhaps this idea is not feasable - but could the house and property be bought and the parts stay where they are - to be sold off ? Probably be an enormous additional cost. Gert Kristiansen

RL Chilton

Courtesy Man-

That USED to be a possibility. The whole "kit and Kaboodle" including the 5 acres, house, buildings and all car stuff was 250K. I believe the property has since been sold and the car stuff now has to find a new home.

RL Chilton

The ideal new owner would be not just a parts supplier, but a restorer. As has been mentioned, shipping large parts can be somewhat problematic, but having the supply on hand to re-sell AND use in current restorations for re-sale would be perfect.

A place like Bill Albright had, or Wildrick Restoration come to mind.

oldhudsons

Brownie - that was one of Jim's problems, he couldn't stand to sell anything, LOL! He invited some of us Californians to stop by on the way south after the Seattle National. I saw an 8 engine on one of the rows of engines & asked how much & he mumbled something about not being able to sell it as wanted it for a backup engine. Others inquired about various & sundry items inc. cars in a barn, same result.
Reminds me of some lines in a Kenny Rogers song: "ya gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em"; Jim knew how to "hold 'em" but didn't know when to "fold 'em", unfortunately.

oldhudsons

R. L. - I suggested Al S. & Jason as with a so. Calif. or Az. climate most of it could be stored outside whereas in Ind. that couldn't be done.
How many cars are involved, 1/2 a dozen? If so just shipping the cars & all the parts would add another $10 on moving it to Ind.
If the property has been sold & new owners want all that Hudson stuff removed that = a time to act pressure!

hudsontech

Larry Wellman, from Groveland, MA had a 3 story house jammed with Hudson parts. He cleaned out dealerships all thru the Northeast. He and his parents lived on the first floor of the house - their rooms and the kitchen were about the only rooms that didn't have parts stored in them, tho I won't swear about Larry's bedroom.
In addition he had a 3 story barn that was jammed with Hudsons from top to bottom. Packed in so close you couldn't get the doors open - but he knew where every car was regards body style. Like if you wanted a 1952 Commodore Hollywood he could point one out to you. It was rumored that the only thing holding the barn up was the cars - and as I recall, after his death in 1989, the place was cleaned out and a little while later the barn did indeed collapse.
Fortunately Larry was in business to make money. And make it he did. Thru the late 60's, 70's into the 80's Larry was the "go-to" Hudson parts man. I can't remember what happened to all the cars - but it is my belief they did find homes - for a while I had a 1949 Commodore 6 Club Coupe with a 1956 Hornet engine that came from Larry's. I know that just about all the parts were sold off before he died - about all that was left was a large trailer full of the really "easy" stuff to sell - NOT. Things like A frames and suspension parts - stuff like that. I can't remember the fellow who bought all that in the end, but he's probably got some of it left, 30 years later.
Larry was in his 40's when he passed away from throat cancer - but he knew about how long he had to go and got most everything sold off. I remember going up to his house in Limerick, Maine, (he moved up there near the end of his life) right after he died and there was virtually no Hudson parts left - he'd switched over to VW's and AMC products and there was a few of those around. Larry was in the hospital and wanted the Mike Elwell to have one of the AMC cars - I "sold" it to Mike by giving him a bill of sale (title not required) and signed Larry's name to it. I remember Mike asking me if he should send the registration slip to the DMV in Maine (the car was registered there). I said definitely not - let me have it. It quickly "disappeard".

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

SamJ

Personally, I'd love to see Jason Fisher And Val get this stuff. Jason has several stepdown convertibles in stock that he hasn't sold...that should cover the cost. Don't know what his deal with his grandmother on these cars, though...

oldhudsons

Sam - RIGHT, Val Smith who I know has helped several so. Calif. people "take care of business" after a Hudson man has passed, most recently Pat Meehan's widow.
Yes, they might or should be able to come up with the $$$ IF they have the will & desire to do that as a purchase like that a long term commitment as take a long time to sell $75K worth of the stuff + the costs of getting it moved to Fontana.
I had Al S. come up to my house in Prescott & we loaded up all the stuff I had; I'd inventoried it all but he didn't want to bother with checking all that, and having known Al for 30-40 years just trusted him so gave it to him on consignment - that was a year ago & he has moved most of it. He got/gets 50% and handles all the packaging & shipping, something I hate to do. Wonder if Jim's heirs would consider an arrangement of that sort if they don't get a buyer?