The noise of the restoration shop is pleasant. The drills, sanders sanding and the chatter all blend for one harmonious sound that is pleasant to my ears.
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| 1969 Jaguar XKE |
It was no different this day visiting the *Olde Restoration Shop. The four or five employees each hunker around a piece of metal that was soon to become a masterpiece. I notice a 66 Corvette, Mustang Shelby, 1954 Ford pickup and Mercury Cougar.
All About Detail Justin, the shop owner, was in an upbeat mood this day and was more animated than usual. He was not hard to poke for a good Classic Car Story.
A few years ago, one of his clients shared that he was in search of a rare car for his collection. You know, one of the missing pieces to a complete collection. It just happened that Justin knew of such a car. Sadly, it was part of another collector’s collection. This collector was not someone who would easily part with any car. He being the sort that likes to add rather than subtract from his collection.
One day, while at a car show, Justin ran into the car collector. Half heartily, he asked if the car was for sale. There is an interested buyer, after all. He expected the possessive collector to bark “none of my cars are for sale.” Instead, the reply was “yes, if the price is right.” I want $125,000, cash only. The buyer was informed and not even viewing the car, wired the money to Justin sealing the deal. Or was it sealed?
Justin scheduled a pick up date and arranged for transportation. Talk about sweet clean deal, right?!
Pick up day arrives and the shiny 18 wheeler, complete with uniformed driver arrives. The garage houses 150 cars. Truly, the garage was better described as a museum. Each of the cars is treated to a dry temperature controlled atmosphere. Each of the cars sit beautifully detailed and under perfect lighting.
Justin and driver are first treated to a tour. Of course, Justin had been here before several times but the driver was truly impressed and lingered taking in the full essence of the Classics.
Then they got to “the car” and a discussion ensues about the best way to safely take the car out of the garage. Justin was noting that the seller seemed distressed over the idea of the car being moved. Perhaps he was just worried that something might go wrong during the move?
All of a sudden, the seller tells them to get out of the garage, with his voice becoming very shrill and yelling “just get out, get out!” Justin and driver unsure just what to do, left the garage.
Quickly the seller closes and locks the garage door behind them. Peaking in the garage windows, they observe the seller scurry back to “the car” get into the car and close the door.
Justin and the driver waited for a bit and then began pounding on the door. Eventually, the seller yelled out to go away, he wasn’t selling. Can you believe it, he had changed his mind?
In spite of Justin and his client incurring substantial transportation expenses, a lesson was learned. There can be seller’s remorse in the Classic Car Business.
*Names changed
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Did you get the chance to read our last news/blog "Upholstery Artist Restores Masterpiece"
If there was agreement in place and there was no haggling going on, I would insist the that the seller sell me the car or else pay the expenses for me getting there!
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