Here Comes the Media

harry54

It looks like it's going to be a great spring for the Collector Car world and Hudson. While opening the Paper this morning Craig Jackson jumped out at Me.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/2006-03-28-muscle-cars_x.htm

hudsontech

Guess I don't have to worry 'bout it. I ain't a Socalite, nor a celebrety - I'm jes rude, crude, socially unacceptable - and broke. Prices will come down again - in the meantime those of you who have Hudsons, enjoy them.

Course I might find a old widder with a 1932 V-16 Caddy Cabriolet her husband owned - and since he's gone and she doesn't have a clue to value, might score it for a couple hundred. Yeah, right. And tomorrow the moon turns blue.



Hudsonly,

Alex B

Unknown

Man, that article will rot your teeth! Its a good thing that the very large manjority of classic car sales are private party sales. Another note, Jackson and company don't inspect the iron they auction...which means its a great place to get an over priced burn! More than one person I know has been stung on auction junkers.

harry54

I didn't realize that. I thought that the cars were evaluated before they became eligible.

[Deleted User]

There are, to an extent. What B/J looks for is how the car or truck will show on TV, among other things. They have the seller provide several pics of the vehicle, but they don't physically inspect cars in person save for a few. Then, B/J kicks back, makes their 16% per car, and laughs their way to the bank.

harry54

So someone can do a splash and dash . Shine the chrome and because it looks nice under the light on the stage it will be accepted ? I was under the impression that the overall integrity of the B.J. name was good. I can't imagine paying top dollar for a car that didn't run....

Unknown

Guys, check out the latest ish (April) of Hemmings. They do a pretty good job of dissecting some of these auctions and they compare what was paid to what the car normally sells for in that condition. They have a very "Caveat Emptor" (buyer beware) attitude and they don't mince words about it--they call a spade a spade and if a car went for a ridiculous amount of money, they'll say it and explain why. Lots of them had bad mechanics, orange-peel paint, etc. I think the more that word gets out that most of these things are all show and little or no substance, the rich elite will tire of it and find something else to blow their billions on.

Aaron D. IL

It's a hard thing for a car guy but it's absolutely true; you can't fall in love with a car if your in the market to buy. Unfortunately our hobby has something of a reputation for taking advantage of people who don't know what they're getting into, particularly non-car folks who are interested in getting into a classic car. You know the one's who think cars are an investment. Only Dusenbergs are...maybe. It is worth it to have someone look at the car that knows what they're looking at. Even so my rule of thumb if I'm in the market is to automatically assume that no matter how nice the car looks I'm still going to be putting money into it..... likely a few thousand dollars. Esp. with Hudsons since you know the newest ones (1957) you can buy are still 49 years old and the restored ones are only as good as the mechanic that restored em. That said...they're still better drivers than most cars of that era.