jerrybramlett

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171674949940...AQ:MOTORS:1123

The '57 described and pictured in the above auction is definitely the same body I bought and picked up last summer in Tavares, Florida. The blue 1959 body was sitting outside when I was there. Yes, I'm trying to contact the "seller" right now. I've also notified eBay.

This '57 is currently being repaired at Ken Hansen's shop in Tennessee. It hasn't even been located in Florida since I trailered it to Alabama in August of 2014.

66jack

If you can actually prove that you bought it, emails/pictures...
You Might want to also call the Police and DMV...

jerrybramlett

Well.... yeah, I can actually prove it. I've got the title, photos, e-mails, and also the car itself. All the eBay scammer has are some photos taken before I picked it up.

66jack

OHHHH....

Misunderstood the post...

I thought the person tried to sell it out from under you before you could get there to pick it up...

jerrybramlett

The eBay auction is a scam ad to steal deposits. I tried to get it taken down, but eBay has not responded. Of course the "seller" hasn't responded either.

I'll post a warning over on the NCRS Discussion Board, but that's about all I can do to spare somebody grief over this. I don't know where the scammer will ask the mark to send money.

Frankie the Fink

I know of several cars, such as a '58 restomod, that have been on one of the shadier vette sales web sites for months on end and they are NOT for sale by the happy owners. Scams and it seems not much can be done about it.

Revfan

Jerry
I looked and looked... and can't find a link to your build thread anywhere....

Please tell me you have a build thread!

MidShark

It's a shame that ebay isn't more responsive to things like this. Being that it's such a behemoth doesn't help matters. Too bad there's not some type of flagging system like on Craigslist (yes I realize that it gets abused). What if someone were to hit the Buy it Now button to end it? You think he'd risk coming after you through ebay for not paying?

jerrybramlett

I thought about doing just that. However, you're immediately confronted with the eBay requirement to pay through PayPal before your Buy-It-Now will "go through" and stop the auction.

This may not be the perfect crime, but it comes close. Anyone who wires money to a stranger runs a very high risk of losing it all.

jerrybramlett

I'm sorry, but I don't have a build thread for this car. More photos would just break your heart and confirm that I'm a fool to repair it.

This '57 was hit extremely hard just behind the left front wheel several decades ago. It then sat outside and was stripped of almost all trim and drivetrain parts. The frame is still bent, but isn't rusted through. All the metal stuff in the interior is very pitted.

The ad is partially correct that it is a power window, power top, courtesy light, radio, soft top only, standard trans, 3.55 open rear car that came with a one-piece, hand-laid front end made by some fiberglass company named "Legendary". Originally this '57 was all white with a red interior.

So far I've spent over $30,000 and have only a big pile of parts to show for it.

champs65

I reported the item fraudulent as well Jerry. Maybe when ebay staff get more than one alert on an item, action is taken.

Hope this helps.

jerrybramlett

Thanks for taking the time.

The ad is getting a ton of lookers... that page has over 2,400 hits so far! Also, 114 people have already book-marked it! The scamming business is very good if only a few send the crook a cash deposit.

My real auctions typically get less than fifty hits and fewer than five (sometimes zero) "watchers"!

warrenmj

The more, the better. I reported it also. Hopefully ebay takes it down soon.

vetsvette2002

Reported it as well Jerry.

Revfan

Are you kidding? Those are THE BEST kinds of build threads!

I am pulling for you man... thread or no... !

Cheers

Joe Inama

Somebody needs an harsh adjustment to his face

Geralds57

If its not the guy you bought it from, how did this guy get pictures? Was it advertised somewhere? On the bright side, I looked at your 57 at Kens shop a few weeks ago when I dropped off a friends 65 FI conv for Ken to work on. eBay just pulled the ad.

project63

Suspect that most of these lookers and watchers are following the links you posted to tip off the community. The more people who know about this the better. Corvette people know Corvette people and word spreads when scumbags surface.

I'm thinking someone should offer him 2 semi loads of 57 - 60 parts for 10K just to see if he will wire them money instead. It would be nice if someone shafted him rather than the other way around..

Dr L-88

I just now checked and the ad has been removed. Good job everyone for doing the right thing.

jerrybramlett

I suspect the scammer found the shop's real internet ad with photos for the three bodies that was posted before I bought the '57. He then just stole the photos and most of the description. However, I suspect that the "orange grove" and "two brothers" line came straight out of the crook's ***. I didn't hear that when I bought the '57.

Ken Hansen is doing an excellent job on the black car's fiberglass repair. I'm better at wadding them up than gluing them together.