Auto Auctions and impact on K-F and Willys products

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

In other threads I have posted comments on how the auto auction market is right around the tipping point, kinda like September 1929 and the Wall Street Stock Exchange.  Let me show you what I mean:

RM SOUTHEBY'S ARIZONA, as reported by HEMMINGS MOTOR NEWS, JULY 2018 issue - The cross section of sales selected comes out as follows:

22 cars in cross section
 9 cars sold but there was no historical average selling price listed
 8 cars sold for below the historical average selling price listed
 3 cars sold for below the historical average selling price listed
 2 cars selected did not meet reserve and was not sold

The Kaiser-Darrin sold at this sale went for $8,200.00 under pre-auction sales range

Losers included -

1958 Mercades Benz 190SL  sold price listed as $196,000 against a historical average price of $285, 000.  Loss $111,000
1953 Chevrolet Corvette  sold price listed as $250,000 against historical average of $360,000.  Loss $110,000
1952 Jaguar XK120FHC  sold price listed as $84,000 against historical average of $150,000.  Loss $66,000
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe sold price listed as $56,000 against historical average of $94,000.  Loss $38,000
1949 Chrysler T&C Convertible  sold price $58,240 against average price of 94,000.  Loss $35,760

Loss for the group of low sellers (including the Kaiser-Darrin) came to $338,960.  Higher than historical average sales showed a net increase of $73,000.  The cross section market basket posted a net loss of  $265,900. 

[Dragon]

This seems to relate right back to our membership problem.  The younger generations are not interested in the vintage Automobiles.  Especially autos before the muscle cars era.  Fewer bidders.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

OK, I suggested how members can try to get younger people interested in old cars (in general) and show how our old cars are one of the best values (purchase price and maintenance costs) in the entire hobby.  If people prefer to cry and complaining about the state of affairs rather than trying to do something about they have no right to complain; they themselves could be part of the problem.

[Dragon]

You can't force people to like vintage autos.  Young people tend to like cars they had in High School.  Which are Hondas and 80s-90s Autos.  We have groups of Hondas coming to our local Cruise ins.

[darrin502]

Did you miss a zero in that darrin sale?

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

No I did not.  Selling price is listed at  128,800 dollars, average selling price is listed as 137,000.   Difference is 8,200 dollars.

I would expect that everyone would know you cannot force all spectators at a cruise in or old car show to buy an old car, there will be a segment (target market, if you will) of attendees who would be interested in ownership of any old car.  These are the people I refer to. as the ones who will approach you because your car is displayed.  They need the "warm and fuzzy' that they can get parts and there is a club that offers good support to their efforts.  If we could get a total of 500 people out of all the people attending all of the shows everywhere (including Hershey, Carlisle and Iola WI) in a "season". it would amount to only 0.125% of estimated adult attendees (400,000 people total, all old car events throughout the United States in a summer season).   That's why I feel it' can be done.

Open the hoods and show people what the engine compartment is like...no emissions stuff, everything easy to get at, and if you show them you can get the parts (and they won't bankrupt you) you've won a major battle.  I know because Barbara & I have done it with our HJ.   If we can do it, so can others....they just have to want to.

[Corsairdeluxe]

You do not have to show me your Henry J, I already want It !

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Barbara and I don't want to sell it.  It even has the original seat and door panel upholstery!

[G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)]

Beautiful H J !!! I would not sell it either.