Advice Selling a Classic Car

Still a little undecided but unfortunately it looks like I might have to let go of my '66 Impala. It's an uncommon configuration (SS 396, automatic, convertible) that's been in my family most of its life. It runs well and the frame and body are in good shape. The important parts work and it recently got disk brakes. However, it's no show car. It's been driven and enjoyed. I'm fully aware that a lot of the value is sentimental but I want to get what it's worth as well.

I'm way out of my depth on this so I'm asking for advice. Since it's not in showroom condition I'm not sure what consignment places will take it if that's even the route to go. I am willing to go that way to avoid the hassle of tire kickers and flakey buyers, though. I have no idea what selling online entails but at least it gets exposure. I feel like Craigslist and Ebay aren't the right way to go. Could be wrong.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

https://bringatrailer.com/

And yes, I’m totally serious. Know several people who have bought and sold on the site.

Bringatrailer seems to be the place most people are using these days. Research online and find as many cars similar to yours that have sold over the last year to develop a realistic number in your head and go from there. Ask high because you know the guy on the other side will counter, meet in the middle which will hopefully be what you wanted in the first place.

Contact that gasmonkey garage guy in Texas, maybe you can get on TV out of the deal.

I?m slightly sad for you thinking about someone making a lowrider out of it.

Definitely don?t bother with Craigslist or whatever. There are places where stuff like this gets listed and will attract serious buyers from all over the country.

With un restored cars it Really comes down to if you want to get 10k today vs 13k 3 months from now with 35 hours of your time showing it to tire kickers and people living the nostalgia days when they had one in high school.

Ray the low rider market would probably be the ideal market for it. Personally I would rather see a candy paint job and whitewalls on it vs rotting in a field somewhere.

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Originally Posted by colorider

https://bringatrailer.com/

And yes, I?m totally serious. Know several people who have bought and sold on the site.

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Thanks for that link.
Down the rabbit hole I go!

[Coffee]

Another local option could be https://www.worldwidevintageautos.com/

The manager Britt Douglas is a good guy. I met him while attending an advanced defensive pistol class a few years ago. Wouldn't hurt to give them a call and see if you can work something out!

Have any pictures you could share with the group? We can all be tire kickers without wasting your time.

SS396 convertible is gonna fetch a lot. If it is a real one with the original engine, that boat could be worth more than you think.

Low rider guys will likely get outbid at an auction by a collector or restorer. That thing in 100% condition may go close to $100k if a bidding war erupted.

While it isn't a true "muscle car", it is rare. Both because of it's age, the big block and the convertible. I have worked on many of these old things over the years and this one sounds interesting.

Depending on the condition and how pressed for time you are, it is very possible that a few bucks thrown at it before the sale could reap a huge reward.

I still kick myself over a '65 SS396 Impala I had to pass on. It was a 396/375 with the original red paint and white top in great shape.

I'd love to see some pictures of your '66.

Comp-

https://www.worldwidevintageautos.co...olet-impala-ss

Thanks everyone. Looks like a have a few places to start if I go through with the sale. I love this car and there are a lot of memories attached to it it's getting more difficult to keep as time goes by.

Because it was requested here's a photo...

Attachment 87755

Wow. Beautiful.

Miss my 66 Impala, send a link when it’s posted so I can see what the bid is at.

Gawd, I'd SO love to have that beauty! Kinda partial to Chevelles, my 2nd car was a Chevelle, a '68 SS396 w/4-speed and positrac. This was in maybe 1973, had it my Senior year of high school, so it was reasonably stock and unmolested. LOVED that car!

The best advice anyone can give you on selling a classic car…………

Don't take a CHECK !

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Originally Posted by SideShow Bob

The best advice anyone can give you on selling a classic car…………

Don't take a CHECK !

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Relax Bob, your so old your checkbook is a stone tablet....

Nobody uses those anymore.

carsandbids.com

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Originally Posted by BPTactical

Relax Bob, your so old your checkbook is a stone tablet....

Nobody uses those anymore.

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That's not entirely true! If someone annoying is behind you in a checkout line they can suddenly become very useful. Especially if you practice calligraphy, for the first time.

And then there is landlords, the #1 reason why checking accounts are still called checking.

I've been training my 14 year-old to write checks, and she'll probably never have to for the rest of her life. Same with driving a manual and changing oil, come to think of it.

I like when people do something that requires them to attach a voided check and it somehow becomes quite the task and usually requires a trip to their financial institution to resolve their dilemma.

I fully admit that I might write one check a year but at least I have a checkbook if needed.

I write exactly two checks a month. Just enough to teach my kids. Perfect. Voided checks are so annoying.

As mentioned spend $2-300 on a detail. Then get a good Photographer to take quality Pictures of it. It will pay off in the long run. People want to see the underside as well. Bottoms of the doors and a short driving video. I took almost 50 pictures of my TA when I sold her and it was the video that got them.

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Originally Posted by BPTactical

Relax Bob, your so old your checkbook is a stone tablet....

Nobody uses those anymore.

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Just think of the face on the annoying person in the checkout line behind me when I break out the slab of granite, hammer & chisel., then ask the cashier how to spell ?eleventy eleven?. ?.

I still send checks to utilities, mortgage and cable/internet, even car payments when I had one.