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Buying a classic on Ebay ? We did it !
Par vintagemotors le 4 avril 2004
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(1) Commentaires
Like many enthousiasts, our staff here at Vintage Motors, also loves to browse the web in search for classics for sale. A lot of interesting rides are on www.ebaymotors.com, but it is considered quite a gamble to place a bid here from Europe, on a set of wheels that is on the other side of the pond. In order to save you from going through that trouble, we decided to do it and tell you how it went !
We choose to look for a 1968 – 69 Ford intermediate fastback, since we know the technology well thanks to our Mustangs, and we wanted to use it later as a service car for our coming reporting work. These Fastbacks have room for six and look just way too cool ! See, when your magazines name is Vintage Motors, you just cannot drive around in some four wheeled yogurt can !
After observing the offer on www.ebaymotors.com on 1968 – 69 Fairlane and Torino fastbacks for some weeks, we started contacting the sellers of a few examples that we considered good.
We retained the candyapple red, 289 powered 1968 Fairlane 500. It was in LA, the seller had a good record and it was a low optionned granny mobile that fit our budget!
Then we started bidding and ..... won the auction ! Before that, we went of course through getting quotes on transport, checking the title and checking on registration with Ford France here !
Roundabout eight weeks later, the Fairlane was here ! A quick check up revealed that the car was exactly as described by the seller, but not better. So the deal was confirlmed as an honest one !
After changing the fluids, a brake hose, a tie rod sleeve and checking engine oil pressure, lighting, brakes and cooling, off we went to the local tech station for the CT (TüV in Germany, MFK in Switzerland, MoT in Great Britain, ...). In case that you wonder why the California plates are still on the car, that is because here in France you are allowed to drive around with those up to 4 weeks after customs clearence in order to be able to do all the paperworks and stuff for the registration ! Vive la France J
And we passed tech inspection ! The Fairlane was cleared for the first ride with the family plus some kids from the neighborhood ! What a feeling !
The car will now undergo some more technical updates, but that is another story that we will bring to you soon, here on your favorite www.levintage.com !
Our top 7 recommendations to buy a classic ride on Ebay :
1. Choose a model that you know in order to ask the seller the right questions ! Prefer offers from California, Arizona or Texas because of the low rust potential and better overseas logistics.
2. Among the cars that look appealing to you, choose a seller that has a highly positive Ebay record. Check his/her feedback thoroughly !
3. Contact the seller before bidding by e-mail or even better by phone. A 5 EURO phone call is well worth it, before sending thousands over there. Ask for weak spots on the car and try to get a feeling for the deal !
4. Ask for a copy of the title to be sent to you. Never bid on cars where the seller is not the person on the title or you’ll have tons of trouble for explaining the bill of sale during import.
5. Once you got 1, 2, 3 and 4, contact your nearest shipping agent to get an offer on transport to your place here in Europe. We dealt with Eric Lemignot, at SDV at LeHavre www.sdv.com . He is a real pro and took care of everthing from picking it up at the sellers place up to delivering it to our doorstep!
6. Then go place you bid. As always with any auction, it is preferable to place it toward the end. Once you won it, send the downpayment by PayPal in order to have a trace of the money transfer that is also seen by Ebay. Send the rest of the money after contacting the seller through your bank. Expect to make more than a few phone calls here !
7. Lay back and wait for your new classic ride to be delivered ! Put a few cans of beer or bottles of champagne in the fidge to celebrate once it is in front of your home !
So, that now you know it all, we wish hapy bidding and have fun !
Commentaires
Rédigé par : Benoit | 13 sep 2006 10:58:55
* "up to 4 weeks after customs clearence in order to be able to do all the paperworks and stuff for the registration !"
I believe it's 4 months, isn't it?
* The best is to hire somebody in USA for an appraisal of the car
