C2 value escalation
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Melting Slicks
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C2 value escalation
As a multiple C2 owner I’m enjoying the recent value increases of my cars (though the only practical effect is to increase my insurance costs), driven, to a large extent by the huge dollar sales of some very questionable vehicles on BaT.
Philosophically, I have mixed feelings about this. Should I try to help BaT bidders comprehend the crap they’re buying, in the process getting shouted down by shills and unknowing cheerleaders, or should I ignore my conscience and join the legions of yes men raving about an early 63 fuelie SWC with a beautiful new trim tag, mis-located fuelie emblems, and a host of parts that don’t belong on an early 63 car? (Or any 63, for that matter).
It makes me wonder if we’re on the cusp of a new day, one where originality is so blurred by several new generation’s ignorance of these vehicles that no one knows what’s what, or cares. Maybe that’s inevitable, I should just laugh and go on with life…
Philosophically, I have mixed feelings about this. Should I try to help BaT bidders comprehend the crap they’re buying, in the process getting shouted down by shills and unknowing cheerleaders, or should I ignore my conscience and join the legions of yes men raving about an early 63 fuelie SWC with a beautiful new trim tag, mis-located fuelie emblems, and a host of parts that don’t belong on an early 63 car? (Or any 63, for that matter).
It makes me wonder if we’re on the cusp of a new day, one where originality is so blurred by several new generation’s ignorance of these vehicles that no one knows what’s what, or cares. Maybe that’s inevitable, I should just laugh and go on with life…
Popular Reply
May 19, 2022, 10:52 AM
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '20 thru '25
Steve
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I go into BAT and enjoy it. Occasionally I chime in, but not to disparage. There are lots of uninformed buyers purchasing cars they have neither seen or had inspected. That's between the seller and the buyer. No need to get involved. These buyers are seduced by appearance and unlikely to listen to anything we have to say.
How many threads have we seen here where buyers are asking about what they have already purchased. The horse has already left the barn.
How many threads have we seen here where buyers are asking about what they have already purchased. The horse has already left the barn.
Le Mans Master
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Steve
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Unsolicited comments like that are just stupid. They don't bother me, though, because 1) I know my car isn't stock and 2) I don't care what that dude thinks.
But BAT is different. I think one benefit of that platform is the comments from the peanut gallery. If you go there a lot, you learn pretty quickly which commenters are experts on that particular model and which ones are just there to reminisce about the first time they got laid in a similar car. I think the knowledgeable commenters provide a real service to the potential buyers (even though many buyers don't listen).
So, I think it's great that people like the OP are willing to help others in this way. I don't think anyone should get too worked up over it--we're not getting paid for it, so if it isn't fun, we shouldn't do it.
And I do agree that the concept of originality is changing. That's to be expected, as knowledge is lost over time. For Corvettes the loss of info is slower since we have so much interest in the cars and resources like NCRS. But entropy always increases.
Just another Corvette guy
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Exactly this.
Unless I'm asked for my input from a buyer before purchase, it's not my business to butt in, offer unsolicited opinions or point out things I feel are not correct. If I did, that would make me no better than RatDog's guy who asked "What else besides your steering wheel is incorrect on your car?"
Who here would like to have a third, uninvolved party come along when you're selling your car and start pointing out items he feels are questionable? Would you welcome his input in front of your buyer or would you tell him to hit the bricks?
I believe the phrase used by the moderators here on the forum covers it pretty clearly , if you're offering detrimental opinions on a sale you're not involved in, "you're in the way".
Cheers, Greg
Unless I'm asked for my input from a buyer before purchase, it's not my business to butt in, offer unsolicited opinions or point out things I feel are not correct. If I did, that would make me no better than RatDog's guy who asked "What else besides your steering wheel is incorrect on your car?"
Who here would like to have a third, uninvolved party come along when you're selling your car and start pointing out items he feels are questionable? Would you welcome his input in front of your buyer or would you tell him to hit the bricks?
I believe the phrase used by the moderators here on the forum covers it pretty clearly , if you're offering detrimental opinions on a sale you're not involved in, "you're in the way".
Cheers, Greg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
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Exactly this.
Unless I'm asked for my input from a buyer before purchase, it's not my business to butt in, offer unsolicited opinions or point out things I feel are not correct. If I did, that would make me no better than RatDog's guy who asked "What else besides your steering wheel is incorrect on your car?"
Who here would like to have a third, uninvolved party come along when you're selling your car and start pointing out items he feels are questionable? Would you welcome his input in front of your buyer or would you tell him to hit the bricks?
I believe the phrase used by the moderators here on the forum covers it pretty clearly , if you're offering detrimental opinions on a sale you're not involved in, "you're in the way".
Cheers, Greg
Unless I'm asked for my input from a buyer before purchase, it's not my business to butt in, offer unsolicited opinions or point out things I feel are not correct. If I did, that would make me no better than RatDog's guy who asked "What else besides your steering wheel is incorrect on your car?"
Who here would like to have a third, uninvolved party come along when you're selling your car and start pointing out items he feels are questionable? Would you welcome his input in front of your buyer or would you tell him to hit the bricks?
I believe the phrase used by the moderators here on the forum covers it pretty clearly , if you're offering detrimental opinions on a sale you're not involved in, "you're in the way".
Cheers, Greg
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
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While I comprehend the thought behind the “caveat emptor” attitude being suggested above, its also true that many of us paid a premium for a vehicle that was not misrepresented. The “let them be” view, if taken to its logical conclusion, says that I’m OK with seller X, using blatant BS to say he too has a car as genuine as mine, even though its a POS. If this happens enough, eventually there is no extra value in “reality”, in essence, my genuine car, that I paid more for, becomes indistinguishable from the myriad of misrepresented POS cars and looses its sales advantage. At that point being a crook is somehow given credence and being honest garners you a “sucker” moniker..
But I guess that’s just the way all of today’s society already operates…
But I guess that’s just the way all of today’s society already operates…
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While I comprehend the thought behind the “caveat emptor” attitude being suggested above, its also true that many of us paid a premium for a vehicle that was not misrepresented. The “let them be” view, if taken to its logical conclusion, says that I’m OK with seller X, using blatant BS to say he too has a car as genuine as mine, even though its a POS. If this happens enough, eventually there is no extra value in “reality”, in essence, my genuine car, that I paid more for, becomes indistinguishable from the myriad of misrepresented POS cars and looses its sales advantage. At that point being a crook is somehow given credence and being honest garners you a “sucker” moniker..
But I guess that’s just the way all of today’s society already operates…
But I guess that’s just the way all of today’s society already operates…
Dan
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Maybe the answer lies somewhat between the laissez faire and nitpicking extremes. I see nothing wrong for calling out clear misrepresentations expressed by the seller in order to benefit the uneducated buyer. On the other hand, there is no reason to nitpick the car for things wrong with it, if they're clearly not misrepresented, and the buyer has the opportunity to observe them himself.
Melting Slicks
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From: Bonita CA
Le Mans Master
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Whether at a car show or BaT, if I’m not asked, it’s none of my business. Know-it-alls are rarely appreciated. Have I ever violated this? Probably without thinking. Now if I’m engaged into a conversation and sharing opinions/ knowledge, I’ll opine, but not first 
Melting Slicks
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I'm not convinced there is a big value escalation on all C2s just from a few sales of '63 SWCs to less than knowledgeable buyers. There was a very well documented and rare '64 fuelie tanker that didn't even come close to meeting reserve, and many others that were nice cars that also didn't sell or sold for less than eye-popping amounts....https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...omments-anchor
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Team Owner
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Agreed.
I think most of us on this forum bought these cars because we love them, not as investments. So, this isn't a big concern for me. But I think it's what's in the cards.
Le Mans Master
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Most times it is better to keep quiet instead of
putting your 2 cents into a transaction that does not
concern you. If you are asked, speak your mind. These
days everyone is a expert about everything.
I was at a car show and a guy told me my DeWitt radator
was not stock. No **** Sherlock.
putting your 2 cents into a transaction that does not
concern you. If you are asked, speak your mind. These
days everyone is a expert about everything.
I was at a car show and a guy told me my DeWitt radator
was not stock. No **** Sherlock.
Le Mans Master
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I would rather work on mastering Latin declensions than respond to or read the inane drivel that pops up on many of these sites. If I personally find a car worth pursuing, I'll contact Pancho and let him sort out the originality issues. The easiest and most cost-effective $1,000 I will ever spend.
Last edited by Dan Hampton; May 19, 2022 at 05:09 PM.