1973 Going to sell

[ablank135]

Chiming in from a distance here, since I sold my coupe a few years ago...

One factor to weigh is how much it's worth to you to represent the car yourself, and the time and headache that work potentially takes. Totally depends on your personal circumstances, $ goals, time availability and tolerance for nonsense, but having a consigner (especially a known name) execute better photography, handle the auction relationship and listing, generate visibility and network outreach, transaction and documents...COULD (all caps intentional) be worth the percentage. On BaT, where buyers seem more interested in style than substance, one could argue that paying a % to an intermediary is at least somewhat offset by a higher hammer price. I sold my coupe and a modern car through BaT using two different consigners, and my conclusions are that 1) I couldn't have presented either car myself as well as the consigners did, and 2) I maybe made back 50% of the consignment/photo fee with the price their photos and reputation provided. Not every seller will feel the same way, but I throw it out as an option.

Best outcome is that someone checking in here will just snap it up...

 

[BarneyT]

Bring a trailer is by far the best option to sell this car, you seem well able to represent the coupe there to sell it. You will have to deal with critics but that’s life…My dad used to say the world is full of critics that knows the way, but can’t drive the car…on BAT they won’t ever drive the car for sale.

 

[pickman]

Here are the photos of the body restoration
The set marked 1995to 1997 was my efforts to remove as much as possible. Of note this car was in my garage for a dozen years before this.
The second photos are at the body shop it looks ugly but eventually all damaged sheet metal was replaced.

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

Chiming in from a distance here, since I sold my coupe a few years ago...

One factor to weigh is how much it's worth to you to represent the car yourself, and the time and headache that work potentially takes. Totally depends on your personal circumstances, $ goals, time availability and tolerance for nonsense, but having a consigner (especially a known name) execute better photography, handle the auction relationship and listing, generate visibility and network outreach, transaction and documents...COULD (all caps intentional) be worth the percentage. On BaT, where buyers seem more interested in style than substance, one could argue that paying a % to an intermediary is at least somewhat offset by a higher hammer price. I sold my coupe and a modern car through BaT using two different consigners, and my conclusions are that 1) I couldn't have presented either car myself as well as the consigners did, and 2) I maybe made back 50% of the consignment/photo fee with the price their photos and reputation provided. Not every seller will feel the same way, but I throw it out as an option.

Best outcome is that someone checking in here will just snap it up...

OTOH, the thought of buying a car from a dealer scares off some potential buyers.

 

[pickman]

Now here are all the recipes I can find they do not include the $700 for the rebuilt calipers just installed

 

[pickman]

OTOH, the thought of buying a car from a dealer scares off some potential buyers.

Well worth the time to explain to me thanks

 

[pickman]

I agree that steering wheel isn’t right in the e9 but I had one in my tii in high school and loved it! Am getting an alpina one just like it for my alpina 323i. It’s a cool wheel. Same about the sheepskin seat covers. Most don’t seem to like them but I do and loved them on the tii in the 80s. So comfortable.

Was white the original interior color? Are the door panels leather? I think the car looks great. What wood is that?

Zebra wood color interior is original kinda cream was told the blue and cream combo was rare?

 

[afeustel]

BaT a great place to sell and self represent. I always feel like that is much more authentic and gives me confidence that I am getting the real story, presuming the seller is communicating well.

Additionally, if you can get forum member eyes on the car with a good understanding of the metal work completed competently, those folks can help support you as a seller on the BaT site, which is what creates bidder confidence.

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

Well worth the time to explain to me thanks

I believe that many collector car buyers are more comfortable dealing directly with a knowledgable owner than with a dealer that represents the car on consignment. Generally, the owner can provide more complete answers to questions and more unsolicited detail about the car than the dealer can. My advice to a seller is always to put yourself in a potential buyer's shoes and act accordingly. Market the car as completely and honestly as you can. If you know the car well, you can do a lot better job at this than a dealer can. Buyers realize this and can wonder if they are getting the full story from the dealer. Lastly, a dealer sale can often be viewed by a buyer as an additional layer of mark up. Price is always a factor.

 

[rsporsche]

if you have a very knowledgeable seller like @HB Chris, you know you are going to get really reliable / correct answers

 

[ablank135]

OTOH, the thought of buying a car from a dealer scares off some potential buyers.

I hear you. I guess I put dealers in a different category than consigners...maybe that's splitting hairs.

 

[CSteve]

In my earlier post I emphasized the seller tell stories. In addition to all the other execllent advice offered here. Call it what you will, history, but form it into a relatable story.

 

[pickman]

I am providing this detail if anyone in the forum is interested?
Advice from several members is to use an advocate if sold thru BA T. I can entertain this if an expert at selling at auction is willing?
At this point have not completed the BaT sheets. Photographs are tough here as it is winter and pretty cold and gloomy.
Any and all advice has been and will be welcome- YOU forum got me thru the rebuild, Several of the parts purchased were from members of the forum before there was a forum.

Posted some photos from today. TOTAL MILES DRIVEN SINCE REBUILD 820
Engine 3.5 L normally aspirated
Dual Weber downdraft 38 mm carbs
Distributor 123
Transmission 265/6 Carl Nelson component upgrade
Suspension sport upgrade coils new Bilstein's
Brakes new Calipers rebuilt Calipers HQ
Drive shaft shortened aprox .75 in
SS exhaust Coupe King
Headlights: Koito 146mm headlamps The bulbs are H4 60/55w and H1 55w Tungsram Megalight +120
AC: Custom built condenser and evaporator hoses, Parallel flow microchannel aluminum condenser, Sanden compressor. New dryer and receiver tank.
Seat belt retractor assemblies rebuilt
Suspension bushings new
Steering bushings new
Engine hoses new
Brake tubes and hoses new
Brake rotors new
All weatherstrips new
All window belt flocking new and glass runs new
Sunroof seal new

 

[e9Leveque]

That is a very thorough and impressive list. If I hadn’t just purchased my vehicle this summer and knowing what I know now about the work involved for a lot of those upgrades, I’d be all over this one. Hopefully someone here decides to go for it - the irony is that those here know best what all of that work is worth but already have our own vehicles

 

[BimRLuvR]

@pickman Lots of great work has gone in to this car. Well done! I might suggest a walk around video to put it all together in one concise piece so we can have areal overview of the car, so that would be exterior, interior, and engine bay. Just a thought for those here who may be interested......

 

[Ed G]

If someone is smitten with the interior color, and wood, then you have a big winner! I love the hard work that's gone into this car! The fact that it's stood the test of time is a big plus as well. Best of LUCK!

 

[e9Leveque]

Also, looks like the interior photos may have taken before you finished the rear parcel shelf? I see cutouts for speakers there but no speakers or alternatively no black vinyl deleting the speaker cutouts.

 

[vince]

Great looking coupe with great upgrades. Fjord is one of the best colors plus it's a sunroof car, to me you have at least a $100k car from what I can see. Agree with others about BaT being the best venue to get top dollar but that's only if you take through pictures and are very present during the auction plus be ready for all the e9 wannabe experts on BaT that know about potential rust areas that are news to all of us. I've sold 4 BMWs and bought 2 BMWs on BaT, I haven't had a bad experience yet. Not sure how @e9Leveque is coming up with an $82K net on a $100k sell - maybe if someone did everything for you. It costs 100 bucks to sell your car there. If you have any iPhone camera skills at all, have a great place to take pictures, and access to a lift; it will only cost you a benjamin.

 

[e9Leveque]

I had assumed a higher seller fee, I didn’t realize it was only $100. Agree it may get to $100k so return would be likely north of $90k assuming a few thousand in photos, prep, perhaps consigner/seller as mentioned earlier. Hopefully someone here pics it up but either way it looks like a winner