What would you do if this happend to you

[Mark D.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

One more thing. Most people can spell the name of the place they claim to have lived.

Yeah...I'm from North Caraliner and have lived in Kintuckee since 2001 and I could spell em both in my sleep.

[Stuart F.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

I never said I LIVED in Caledonia, rather that my siblings still do. I was raised in town just west of the tracks. An area I wouldn't go near after dark any more.

I'm sorry I brought this up. I forgot how sensitive and snooty the folks still left there are. I lived most of my days in Illinois and could never figure out why people in Wisconsin hate the people who pay their taxes and own all their lake front property. Ooooooh!, that ought to get ya going.

The best thing about that state is the Vette I saved from there.

Stu Fox

[David A.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

oh gigantic paradox!
you are really HOT because you were lied too,
and they are wondering what your upset about!
and still have the gall to say the vehicle is
how they described it to you!
the only thing one can do is
live and learn
and realize some people have SFB
iowa

[Rick G.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

i would rather pay the travel fees, see the car for myself, and walk away (after asking for my deposit back) than to buy a car with surprises. i have flown to Florida to see a '57 vette, Seattle to see a '57 Isetta, San Francisco to see a '67 911, etc.. i chalk the trips off to "pre-investment planning".

[Richard L.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

Yes, be glad you are not out any major money. I lost alot on a vintage Porsche bought long-distance (even though I had pix, video and hired an inspector to examine and drive it). I will never buy a car without a personal inspection and test drive by ME.

[David A.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

i don't even put a deposit down
when told
'it may be gone'
i tell them
'i'll just do some sight-seeing today'
iowa

[Mike E.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

I was very surprised by this thread, because the dealer in question has a very good reputation in this area. I took it upon myself to go look at the car yesterday, and have a different perspective on the car than what I've read to this point.
a) I asked "does it have the original spare" and the annswer was "It has the original spare wheel and the dates on that wheel match the other 4, and all are correct 68 wheels." (underline my emphasis)

b) Where the welded-in tranny crossmember meets the side frame, there has been damage. It looks to me like the car was run up over something, or something came under the car. The side rails are straight, and have no evidence of a pull ever happening. The repair to the junction of the crossmember and the side rail of the frame is crude. There is NO sign of the car having been "broadsided" or even hit on that side. All bonding strips are in place. There is no evidence of repair to the floor or to the rocker panel area. The cowl is undamaged. The striker area is undamaged, except for the lip that holds the retainers for the INNER quarter panel trim. That has been broken off, and obviously over several incidents, because part is a reasonably fresh break since the car was repainted.

c) I found no evidence at all that the door has ever been black. The doofus who put on weatherstripping after the repaint used black weatherstrip adhesive rather than yellow. I looked into the door with a flashlight from every angle I could.

d) On the left frame rail there is an area about 1 1/2" in diameter where there is an area of rust. If one were to poke a screwdriver through there, it would penetrate. With the permission of the dealer (who is selling the car on consignment, by the way), I used a screwdriver and stayed an inch or more away from that spot (in other words, allowed for about a 3" diameter area) and was unable to even begin to penetrate the frame. The right frame rail has absolutely no evidence of rust in that area or any other.

e) I commented to the dealer about a tear in the vinyl hardtop about the size of my fingernail, and he said that one of the two that came to look at the car noticed that and said "This hardtop is junk". It has no issues other than that, and has an excellent original headliner, the rear window is dated correctly, and it fits the car and the windows very nicely.

f) What do I know--I've only owned 13 68-72's, including a 30k mile NCRS 3-star 71 LT-1 convertible.

g) I find it very interesting how everyone is very quick to jump upon this issue and condemn the dealer, using the word "fraud" and others that are condemnatory. I asked the dealer about the sale that didn't happen, and he said "we took a $1000 deposit, took the car off the market nearly a month waiting for him to come and look at it. If anyone should be unhappy, it's the one who has consigned the car and it was held up for a month."

h) I knew the car about 8 years ago. It changed hands, and was painted in an average quality paint job in enamel. The car was an original paint car that might have merited Bowtie consideration at that point until the next owner had it painted, etc.

FWIW
Mike Ernst

[Robert R.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

Mike,
A big Thanks needs to be said to you for your time taken to visit and see for yourself about this car.
Over the years on my visits to Milwaukee I always look to see what is in their lot and even stop in from time to time to see what is in their showroom. It was sad to see these posts as from what I used to see there where decent finds for a number of different makes.


Now based on your evaluation, both the owner and the dealer's reputation can be hopefully redeemed to the point where someone would at least consider looking at this paricular car or whatever the dealer may have to offer in the future.

BTW to all seeing this post, I have no stake in either the owner nor the dealer. My comment is only based on what I have read from you, Mike, on your knowledge of Corvettes and your participation at NCRS all these years.

Bob

[Roy S.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

Mike,
Thank You, your depth of knowledge, dedication to the hobby and sage advice go a long way in my mind to stabilize/rationalize these type situations.

[Jim R.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

I'm sure this dealer has a lot of nice cars for sale, and we probably should have pushed more for frame photo's ,we just thought that the right thing to do would be to let us know if the frame had welds and repairs, then he could have saved us a trip , but thanks for you opinion on the car mike. jim

[Pat M.]

Re: What would you do if this happend to you

The OP's allegations (the seller claimed completely original [except jack and radiator], perfect frame, and original spare), are quite different from Mike E.'s descripton (repaint, spot rust on frame, and original spare wheel ). It should be no wonder then that people drew different conclusions.