Stewart Howden and co-host Steve Saffier dive into the bustling world of classic cars, sharing insights from recent auto shows and discussing the unique inventory at Classic Auto Mall. They explore the differences between classic car auctions and the benefits of buying directly from a showroom, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspections. The episode also touches on notable cars like the 57 Pontiac Chieftain and the 78 Chevrolet Malibu station wagon, while reflecting on the evolution of car culture and personal experiences in the automotive world.
Archive Show #075 airdate 02/18/23 Stewart Howden and Steve Saffier talk all things automotive including the value differences between versions and options on similar car and how values can vary widely.
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Recorded in our Showcase Studio just inside the entrance of the Classic Auto Mall in Morgantown, PA, Host Stewart Howden, Classic Auto Mall President and Classic Car Specialist Steve Saffier talk about this unique and amazing place often with amazing guests.
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"...area where the jeeps and you get to ride over the tundra and the terrain. And then they had Electricville..."
The Toyota Tundra is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and drive on rough roads. People like it because it's tough and has a lot of room inside for passengers and gear.
The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck known for its reliability and strong performance, particularly in off-road conditions. It has gained popularity for its spacious interior and towing capabilities, making it a favorite among truck enthusiasts and those needing a versatile vehicle.
"And then they had Electricville in the middle where they had cars that, electric cars that you could, whoa, what was that?"
Electricville is a place where you can see and learn about electric cars. It's part of events that show how cars can run on electricity instead of gasoline.
Electricville refers to an area or event focused on electric vehicles, showcasing various electric car models and technologies. It highlights the growing interest and advancements in electric mobility.
"...I know you were looking for a 65 Mustang and they had three of them there. Or four of them or 12 or 18."
The Ford Mustang from 1965 is a classic American car that many people love. It's known for being fast and stylish, and it helped start a whole category of cars called 'pony cars' that are sporty and affordable.
The Ford Mustang (1965) is an iconic American muscle car known for its performance and style. It was one of the first pony cars, combining sporty looks with affordability, which contributed to its popularity.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a famous sports car that is known for being very fast and having a cool design. It's a symbol of American car culture and has been around for many decades.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a high-performance sports car known for its powerful engines and sleek design. It has a long history and is often considered an American icon in the sports car segment.
"You really can't do a PPI. And you're excited about it and it's the energy and maybe you had a drink or two."
A PPI is a check done on a car before you buy it to make sure everything is working well. It's like a health check for the car to find any problems.
PPI stands for Pre-Purchase Inspection, which is a thorough examination of a vehicle before buying it. It helps potential buyers identify any issues or necessary repairs that may not be immediately visible.
"Some people are totally cool with the auction format and environment and I get that. Some people love that because I think one of the reasons is that they think that they might be able to get a little bit better of a deal."
An auction is a way to sell cars where people place bids, and the highest bidder wins. It can be a fun way to buy a car, but you need to know what you're doing to get a good price.
An auction format for selling cars involves bidders competing against each other to purchase a vehicle, often starting at a lower price. This can create excitement and the potential for buyers to secure a good deal if they are knowledgeable about the car's value.
"If the car starts out, the bidding starts at $500 or whatever and the car's a $50,000 car and you bid, you put a bid in at some juncture..."
Bidding is when people say how much they are willing to pay for a car at an auction. The person who offers the most money gets to buy the car.
Bidding is the process where potential buyers place offers on a vehicle during an auction. Each bid represents the amount a buyer is willing to pay, and the highest bid at the end of the auction wins the car.
"...this car is not the original motor or not the whatever."
The 'original motor' is the engine that came with the car when it was new. If a car has its original engine, it can be worth more to collectors because it's more authentic.
The term 'original motor' refers to the engine that was originally installed in a vehicle when it was manufactured. This is important for collectors and enthusiasts because having the original engine can significantly affect a car's value and authenticity.
"...we sell some cars that are significant high horsepower cars that are a little finessy. They're a little finicky and they need some finessing."
High horsepower means the car has a powerful engine, which allows it to go fast. These cars can be tricky to drive because they respond quickly to the driver's actions.
High horsepower refers to a vehicle's engine output, indicating its power and performance capabilities. Cars with high horsepower can accelerate quickly and often require skilled handling.
"...I did two laps in the 350Z a couple weeks ago because I came back and I'm like, wait, that's not enough. And I'm like, how fast can I go in this thing?"
The Nissan 350Z is a sports car that people enjoy driving because it is fast and fun. It has a powerful engine and is designed for performance.
The Nissan 350Z is a two-door sports car that was produced by Nissan from 2002 to 2009. It is known for its rear-wheel drive layout and strong performance, making it a popular choice among car enthusiasts.
"You really got what you need is some kind of temperature gauge, one of those infrared temperature gauge things to..."
An infrared temperature gauge is a device that measures how hot something is without touching it. It helps you see if parts of a car are too hot or cold, which can be important for checking if everything is working right.
An infrared temperature gauge is a tool used to measure the surface temperature of an object without making contact. It works by detecting the infrared radiation emitted by the object, providing quick and accurate temperature readings, which can be useful in automotive diagnostics.
"Yeah, and bring a paint gauge too and check all the paint, check all the panels."
A paint gauge is a tool that checks how thick the paint is on a car. It helps you find out if the car has been repainted or if there are any problems underneath the paint.
A paint gauge is a tool used to measure the thickness of paint on a surface. This is important in automotive inspections to determine if a car has been repainted or if there are any hidden issues like rust or bodywork repairs.
"Hey, somebody pulled up at a car in coffee a couple months ago in a Lamborghini kit"
Lamborghini is a famous car brand that makes very fast and expensive sports cars. They are known for their unique shapes and powerful engines, making them popular among car enthusiasts.
Lamborghini is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for its high-performance vehicles and distinctive designs. The brand is synonymous with speed and exclusivity, often featuring powerful engines and advanced technology.
Car
Lamborghini Couture
"and I was like, wow, a Lamborghini couture. I can't believe it."
The Lamborghini Couture is a luxury sports car known for its stylish design and powerful performance, typical of the Lamborghini brand.
The Lamborghini Couture is a model that showcases the brand's luxury and performance ethos, often featuring unique design elements and high-end materials.
"He opens the hood and it's Chevy V8 and I'm like, oh, man, did I get full? I don't believe Lamborghinis came with a Chevy V8."
A Chevy V8 is a powerful engine made by Chevrolet that has eight cylinders, providing strong performance and acceleration in cars and trucks.
The Chevy V8 is a type of engine produced by Chevrolet, known for its power and performance, commonly used in various vehicles, including muscle cars and trucks.
"...back in the early 80s, pole position. It was like a Formula One, Indy car type deal. It wasn't very exciting graphic wise."
Formula One is a type of car racing that involves very fast cars racing on special tracks. It's known for having really advanced technology and exciting races.
Formula One is a high-speed, open-wheel racing series known for its advanced technology and engineering. It features some of the fastest cars in the world, competing on various international circuits.
"...It was like a Formula One, Indy car type deal. It wasn't very exciting graphic wise."
Indy car is a type of race car that competes in a series of races, including the famous Indianapolis 500. These cars are built to go really fast on special tracks.
Indy car refers to a type of open-wheel racing car used primarily in the IndyCar Series, which is known for its high-speed races, particularly the Indianapolis 500. These cars are designed for speed and agility on oval tracks.
"...on the 57 Pontiac Chieftain hardtop. What a great car."
The Pontiac Chieftain is an old car made by the Pontiac brand. It was popular in the 1950s and is known for its unique look and good driving experience.
The Pontiac Chieftain is a classic American car produced by Pontiac from the 1940s to the 1950s. It is known for its distinctive styling and was popular during its time for its performance and comfort.
"And it's just, it frame offer store, 347 VA. It's one of those cars that you look at and at first glance you think, oh, that's a Bel Air or something, you know, of that, you know, ilk."
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a famous car from the 1950s and 60s that many people recognize for its classic look. It's a popular choice for car enthusiasts and collectors.
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a classic American car produced from the 1950s to the 1970s, known for its stylish design and popularity during the post-war era. It is often associated with the golden age of American automobiles and is a favorite among collectors.
"So it's got a strato flight automatic. I love the names of the automatic transmission."
Strato Flight automatic is a name for a specific kind of automatic transmission that helps cars change gears smoothly without the driver needing to do anything. It's known for being reliable and was used in some older cars.
The Strato Flight automatic is a type of automatic transmission used in certain vehicles, known for its smooth shifting and reliability. It was particularly popular in the mid-20th century and is associated with brands like Oldsmobile.
"...or it's inoperable or we're selling it kind of as a, you know, barn find, ish parts car, we convey that to you..."
A 'parts car' is a car that doesn't work well or at all, and is sold mainly for the pieces inside it. Other people can use those parts to fix their own cars.
A 'parts car' is a vehicle that is sold primarily for its components rather than as a functioning vehicle. These cars are often not operational and are used to provide spare parts for other vehicles.
"...if the car is for whatever reason doesn't run or it's inoperable or we're selling it kind of as a, you know, barn find, ish parts car, we convey that to you..."
A 'barn find' is a car that someone has kept hidden away for a long time, usually in a barn or garage. People often find these cars and restore them because they can be special or rare.
A 'barn find' refers to a vehicle that has been discovered after being stored away for a long time, often in a barn or garage. These cars are typically in need of restoration but can be valuable to collectors due to their rarity and history.
"... We have all price range from, you know, $10,000 El Caminos to $20,000 kind of driver quality Camaros or Cor..."
The Chevrolet El Camino is a car that has a truck bed in the back, making it useful for carrying things. It's a classic vehicle that many people find interesting.
The Chevrolet El Camino is a unique vehicle that combines the features of a car and a pickup truck, produced from the 1950s to the 1980s. It is known for its versatility and has become a classic among collectors.
"...most expensive cars are Cobra, almost a million bucks. And, and then we've got some other cars that are close to that price point."
The Shelby Cobra is a classic sports car that is very fast and powerful. It was made in the 1960s and is highly sought after by car fans.
The Shelby Cobra is a high-performance sports car that was originally produced in the 1960s. It is known for its lightweight design and powerful V8 engine, making it a favorite among car collectors and enthusiasts.
"...000 El Caminos to $20,000 kind of driver quality Camaros or Corvettes up to, you know, our most expensive ..."
The Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty car that looks cool and goes really fast. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many people who enjoy driving.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car that has been in production since the 1960s. Known for its powerful engines and sporty design, it represents a significant part of automotive history and continues to be a popular choice among performance car enthusiasts.
"It's Tampa Blue Metallic, which is not a factory color."
Tampa Blue Metallic is a special paint color for cars that isn't usually available from the factory. It makes the car stand out more.
Tampa Blue Metallic is a custom paint color that is not offered by the manufacturer as a standard option. Custom colors can add uniqueness to a vehicle but may affect resale value.
"It's got a crate 350, which is odd for a cord. You don't see many of these in the Resto Mod Hilt very often."
A crate 350 is a type of engine that you can buy and install in a car. It's a popular choice because it's powerful and reliable, making it great for custom cars.
A crate 350 refers to a Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8 engine that is sold as a complete assembly, ready to be installed in a vehicle. These engines are popular for their performance and reliability, often used in various custom builds and restorations.
"You don't see many of these in the Resto Mod Hilt very often. Mostly they are original."
Restomod means taking an old car and fixing it up with new parts to make it better while keeping its classic look. It's a way to enjoy the style of older cars with modern technology.
Restomod is a term used to describe a vehicle that has been restored and modified to improve performance, comfort, and technology while retaining its classic appearance. This approach allows enthusiasts to enjoy modern features in vintage cars.
"...it's like you're sitting on the showroom of a Ford dealership in 1937 and it's got heat and air and a Mustang two front end. So it's modern conveniences and can be driven and used."
The Ford Mustang II is a version of the Mustang that was made in the 1970s. It was smaller and aimed at being more fuel-efficient during a time when gas prices were high.
The Ford Mustang II was a compact car produced by Ford from 1974 to 1978. It was the second generation of the Mustang and was designed to be more fuel-efficient during the oil crisis of the 1970s.
"...1930 Chevrolet Standard Coop, Burgundy in black over tan. This is an AACA national first place winner."
The Chevrolet Standard Coupe is a car model from 1930. It's recognized for its classic look and is popular among collectors because of its historical value.
The Chevrolet Standard Coupe was a model produced by Chevrolet in the early 1930s, known for its classic design and significance in automotive history. It represents the style and engineering of that era, making it a sought-after collector's item today.
"A good restoration, well maintained, is going to hold up for much longer than you think. I'm always, and I'll say this, I'm always concerned about fresh restorations, a car with only 50 miles on it."
Restoration means fixing up an old car to make it look and work like new again. This can include painting, repairing parts, and cleaning it up.
Restoration refers to the process of returning a vehicle to a like-new condition, often involving repairs, refinishing, and replacement of parts. A well-executed restoration can significantly enhance a car's value and longevity.
An inline six is a type of engine that has six cylinders lined up in a row. This design helps the engine run smoothly and is often found in older cars.
An inline six is a type of engine configuration where six cylinders are arranged in a straight line. This design is known for its smooth operation and good balance, making it popular in many classic cars.
"Saffron over camel tan and plaid. We've got the F-40 suspension, whatever that means. Not the Ferrari F-40 suspension."
The Ferrari F40 is a really fast and fancy car that was made a long time ago. It's famous for being one of the best sports cars ever and is loved by car fans.
The Ferrari F40 is a legendary supercar produced in the late 1980s and early 1990s, known for its extreme performance and lightweight design. It was the last car personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and remains a symbol of automotive excellence.
"Anyway, the 69 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback is another one we just got in. It's got a 440."
The 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback is a classic car that looks sporty and has a powerful engine. It's well-known among car enthusiasts for its unique design.
The 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback is a classic American muscle car known for its distinctive styling and performance. It was part of the first generation of Barracudas, which were popular for their sporty design and powerful engine options.
"Really a neat, neat looking car and then a really cool car. It's in our main showroom, the 1970 Pontiac GTO hard top."
The 1970 Pontiac GTO is a classic car that is famous for being fast and stylish. It's a popular choice among people who love muscle cars.
The 1970 Pontiac GTO is a classic muscle car that is part of the Pontiac brand's performance lineup. It is known for its powerful engine options and distinctive styling, making it a favorite among car collectors.
"They also recently, RM just sold the most expensive new car ever sold, a 2022 Bugatti Chiron, Profili, I'm sure I'm pronouncing that wrong, $10.7 million."
The Bugatti Chiron is a super fast and very expensive car. The Profili version is a special model that sold for a lot of money, making it the most expensive new car ever sold.
The Bugatti Chiron is a high-performance luxury sports car known for its extreme speed and engineering excellence. The Profili variant is a special edition that was sold for a record-breaking price.
"... speaking of prices of cars, how are cyclones and typhoons? Your favorite kind of car is doing those GMC."
The GMC Typhoon is a fast SUV that was made in the 1990s. It's special because it can go as fast as some sports cars, which is unusual for an SUV.
The GMC Typhoon is a high-performance SUV produced in the early 1990s, known for its turbocharged engine and sporty handling. It was one of the first SUVs to offer performance comparable to sports cars, making it a unique entry in the market.
"91 to 93. Typhoon, which was a four-door SUV Blazer for all intents and purposes. Two-door."
The Chevrolet Blazer is an SUV, which means it's a big car that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's known for being tough and good for different kinds of driving.
The Chevrolet Blazer is a mid-size SUV that has been popular for its versatility and ruggedness. Originally launched as a two-door model in the late 1960s, it has evolved into a family-friendly vehicle with modern features and capabilities.
"Or two-door, excuse me. Is it basically a S15 GMC, Jimmy? A Jimmy, which is the same as a Blazer."
The GMC Jimmy is a small SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff. The three-door version is a bit different because it has only three doors, making it unique.
The GMC Jimmy is a mid-size SUV that shares its platform with the Chevrolet Blazer, known for its ruggedness and versatility. The three-door version offers a unique design and is popular among those looking for a compact SUV.
"Yeah. So that's what the 928 Porsche is, which I had a whole thing. Okay."
The Porsche 928 is a fancy sports car that was made a long time ago. It's known for being fast and comfortable, which makes it special compared to other cars.
The Porsche 928 is a luxury sports car produced by Porsche from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. It is notable for its unique design and combination of performance and comfort, making it a standout model in Porsche's lineup.
"Yeah. And the Z8 BMW is kind of the one that's in my radar. It's ..."
The Alpina Z8 is a special version of a BMW sports car that has been made even better. It's a fancy car that many people want because it's fast and luxurious.
The Alpina Z8 is a high-performance version of the BMW Z8, modified by Alpina, a manufacturer known for enhancing BMW vehicles. It combines luxury and performance, making it a rare and sought-after model among collectors.
"...ut it's something like, you know, it looks like a Z4, but it's not. You can tell it's bigger and bulk..."
The BMW Z4 is a stylish sports car that can be driven with the top down. It's known for being fun to drive and looks really nice.
The BMW Z4 is a luxury sports car that combines performance with elegant design, available as both a coupe and convertible. It is known for its sharp handling and powerful engine options, appealing to driving enthusiasts.
"...ht it, like I may have mentioned, had bought a 68 charger in while he was in high school and I thought tha..."
The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks tough and can go really fast. It's been around for many years and is popular among people who like powerful cars.
The Dodge Charger is a full-size sedan that has become an icon of American muscle cars, especially known for its powerful performance and aggressive styling. Originally introduced in the 1960s, it has evolved over the years while maintaining its sporty appeal.
"in the back and the traction bars and everybody had, everybody had that. That's Nova's. Nova's."
The Chevrolet Nova is a small car that was made for many years and is known for being cheap and easy to drive. Many people liked it because it was practical and affordable.
The Chevrolet Nova is a compact car that was produced from the early 1960s to the early 1980s, known for its affordability and simplicity. It became a popular choice for budget-conscious buyers and is often associated with the muscle car era.
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a classic car that many people love because it's powerful and looks great. It was made a long time ago and is now a favorite among collectors.
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-size car that was produced from the 1960s to the 1970s, becoming a classic muscle car known for its powerful engines and performance. It remains a popular choice among collectors and classic car enthusiasts.
"The bird. The bird, the actual roadrunner. In the desert."
The Plymouth Road Runner is a fun and fast car that has a cartoon bird as its logo. It was made a long time ago and is known for being exciting to drive.
The Plymouth Road Runner is a classic muscle car known for its distinctive design and performance, produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was famous for its fun cartoon-themed branding and powerful engine options.
"Yeah. There are some deals on vipers out there. I know."
The Dodge Viper is a super-fast sports car that looks really cool and has a big engine. It's not made anymore, but many people still love it for how exciting it is to drive.
The Dodge Viper is a high-performance sports car known for its striking design and powerful V10 engine. Produced from the early 1990s until 2017, it has a dedicated following among car enthusiasts for its raw driving experience and limited production numbers.
Select text to request an explanation
This is the Classic Automall Show.
Broadcast from the studios inside the Classic Automall in Morgantown, Pennsylvania.
Just one hour west of Philadelphia at Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 298,
featuring nearly 1,000 classic vintage and barred-fine vehicles for sale under one climate-controlled roof.
Now, here's your host, Classic Automall president and the man with all the toys, Stuart Howden.
Good morning, Classic Automall listeners and guests here at Classic Automall today.
My goodness, it's another busy day.
We have in our studio today our co-host, Steve and Ethan in the control booth out there.
We have had a busy, busy, busy couple of months and a half since January 1st.
We did the Harrisburg Auto Show, the Philly Auto Show.
The Philly Auto Show was amazing.
The crowds were strong this year and it's interesting because of the lack of some of the manufacturers being there.
Right.
A lot of people expected, came and expected, because we're on the way in and we're on the way out so we hear it all.
We hear that.
Oh, I'm so excited to be here to grumbling on the way out.
I didn't get to see this.
But I think that the overall display was very nice.
They had the Camp Jeep area where the jeeps and you get to ride over the tundra and the terrain.
And then they had Electricville in the middle where they had cars that, electric cars that you could, whoa, what was that?
Is that you?
That was me.
Sorry.
That's all right.
I'm looking for my headphones.
Check, check.
And they had a driving experience in the center with the electric cars.
And then they had us and the AACA with about, I don't know, they had probably close to 30 cars in their display, didn't they?
Mm-hmm.
And then we took, well, 16.
We ended up with 16 cars.
I think they had about 20.
Maybe 20 or 22.
And some nice stuff.
Mm-hmm.
And so the thing that the Philly Auto Show people like about us and the AACA is that some diversity is something a little bit different than what you would normally see at a car show.
And then they have our buddy Scott Velvet with his celebrity cars that he brings as well all the way from Missouri.
He does a lot of these car shows.
Does he?
A lot of these new car shows because they need some variety.
Mm-hmm.
Because the car world, the new car world is different than it used to be.
Because it used to be you really didn't get to see the new cars.
You needed to go to the car show to see them.
Right.
Now you see them everywhere.
They're online.
There's photographs.
There's spy shots.
They're revealed years before they even come out.
Yep.
So it's a different world.
And we talked about this before in the old days.
They put paper across the glass of the showrooms and the different dealers to do the reveal in September or whenever the new cars came out.
Usually September.
Right.
And that's kind of stopped because it's not as interesting anymore.
But you know, I don't understand what the manufacturer is not being there because I know for our own experience, for a little old classic automobile, a little old Morgantown, Pennsylvania,
that one-on-one talking to people is the best marketing that we do.
And when you get people that come to see your new cars at a new car show, having those people on the floor talking about the benefits of this car and why you should consider this over the X, Y, Z, Pontiac.
But Chevrolet over Ford or Ford over Chrysler, Chrysler over Fiat, whatever.
You know, it's important that one-on-one, you get that relationship building with somebody and that's what we do.
And that's why we go to however many events we go to.
We're everywhere.
We are everywhere.
I can't even keep up with where we are.
People say, well, I saw you at So-and-So.
I was like, well, I wasn't there.
Yeah, but we saw your team.
Right.
The other benefit is just letting people know the classic automobile exists because a lot of people come through that fill the auto show, especially on weekends.
And they are like, I never heard of this place.
Well, it's 45 minutes or an hour from where we are right now.
So check it out.
If you're in the cars, you would think that you would know about it.
But it proves the old point that just because you have a place somewhere and that you advertise in a significant amount of places, that everybody's paying attention.
You just assume that people know who you are and you kind of get a little upset that, you know, what do you mean you don't know who we are and where we are?
We're not that far away.
We're only 45 minutes away and we advertise in every possible place you could be.
And we've been here for five and a half years.
Why don't you know about it?
Right.
And equally as common is, oh, I passed that place.
I didn't know what it was.
I mean, if I had a dime for everybody who came up to me at fill the auto show and said, I passed that place, I didn't know what it is.
You can go in there.
Yes, not only can you go in there, but spend a couple hours.
You can spend days.
I mean, we'd like you to leave and come back.
We will set the alarm if you're still here.
Yeah, don't be sleeping in the cars.
They're trying to get the next day.
But we like people to come in and check out what we've got and see the place.
And even if you're not in the car, I mean, even if you're not a buyer for cars, because here's the way we look at it.
If you come and look at our place and you're just somebody who wants to come and look at cars and you're not in the market for a new car or you can't afford a new car, whatever the case may be.
We want you to come here.
And our admission charge is basically your two-fold, your email address so we can send you once a month or newsletter.
And if you want to sign up for a newsletter, you can go to classicautomall.com.
And the other two, the second part of the two-fold part of it is that we want you to tell everybody that you know that's in the cars about the place that you saw.
How cool is this place I just saw?
If you haven't been to Morgantown to see Classic Automall, you got to go see it because they have all these cars.
Or, by the way, I know you were looking for a 65 Mustang and they had three of them there.
Or four of them or 12 or 18.
I don't know.
How many 65 Mustangs we have?
We have quite a few.
Quite a few.
We have 50 plus Mustangs in stock and inventory.
And 60 plus Corvettes I think.
Right.
And everything else, little of everything else.
Can I relay one story that somebody told me and this is their experience?
I don't want to downplay auctions or something, but he had a bad experience.
I won't mention which auction house was one of the major ones.
You know, you have two seconds to look at the car.
You really can't do a PPI.
And you're excited about it and it's the energy and maybe you had a drink or two.
And you bid and you get the car and you have it shipped cross-country.
And then you realize that something...
Now, these auction houses, it's as is.
You really have no responsibility and you have no recourse, but this place is a little bit different.
Well, here's the thing.
You've got all the time in the world to look at a car.
If you put a $500 refundable deposit on a car here, then we give you at least a week.
I mean, we'd like it to be not much more than a week, but a week's time to have somebody come out and inspect it
or you come and inspect it yourself.
And to go through the car as thoroughly as you'd like to go through it.
And it's just a real simple thing.
We try to make it so it's not something that you're feeling pressure or uncomfortable with.
Some people are totally cool with the auction format and environment and I get that.
Some people love that because I think one of the reasons is that they think that they might be able to get a little bit better of a deal.
If the car starts out, the bidding starts at $500 or whatever and the car's a $50,000 car
and you bid, you put a bid in at some juncture of that phase at $15,000 thinking,
well, maybe who knows, no reserve, maybe nobody's looking.
And the case is that usually somebody is always looking and normally cars don't get stolen at auctions, so to speak.
You may get a better deal, you may not, but the problem is that you don't get much opportunity to know what it is you're buying.
Now, on the other hand, there are some guys who can look at a car in an environment that is like at an auction
and they can look under and over and they know the difference between a car that's good and a car that's not good.
They can almost tell you how well that car drives without ever driving it.
I mean, I have buddies of mine who buy at auctions and they're brilliant at what they do.
They can tell, they're more experienced, they have the knowledge.
A lot of people that go there just excited about seeing a 69 Pontiac, whatever.
How often do I say that you'll know more about a car if you just read our description and look at our pictures
than you would if we just said, well, here's the car you look it over.
Because you wouldn't think to ask about half of the stuff that we tell you about.
You wouldn't think about all of the details because you're caught up in the moment, the shiny, pretty car.
And it's real easy to forget, oh, I should have asked this or I should have asked that.
That's why we tell our guys, look, tell everybody everything you know about the car, the good, the bad, the ugly, tell them everything.
So at the end, hopefully they know everything.
You know, when they're ready to make a decision, they're making an informed decision.
Not a decision based on that car looks pretty.
I hope it's nice when I get home.
And the other problem is, is that people think that just because you buy it at an auction, that it's all the cars, all original
or it's the matching numbers or it's the original this or the original motor.
And that's not always the case.
And you got to be very careful when you, and again, I'm not downplaying.
I love auctions.
Don't get me wrong.
I do too.
I think they're fun.
They're exciting.
There's bargains to be had sometimes.
Sometimes you find stuff that you'll never find anywhere else.
But you've got to be very, very careful in what you do.
And you got to make sure and listen because what's written on the description in the window can be superseded by what the auctioneer tells you on the block.
So in the description you read on the window, everything's hunky and rosy and glory.
And then all of a sudden they make an announcement on the block.
By the way, after further research, this car is not the original motor or not the whatever.
So they update it.
Yeah.
And that supersedes legally what's written on the car that you're reading on the side of the car.
So you go and you read it on the side of the car.
You don't pay any attention when they're talking about introducing the car.
All of a sudden they've said something different.
Now it's up to you to have paid attention to that.
Right.
And if you didn't, well, you know.
Which is why I'm saying that Classic Automall, especially if you're in this region, you live in this region as opposed to going to Arizona and having something shipped back,
is come in here and take a close look, read the description.
And you can, in some cases, test drive cars.
Absolutely.
And depending on the car, it's not a blanket thing that we're allowed to do.
We're not a bucket list place.
Can I drive that to you?
I'm thinking about buying it.
Yeah.
Well, you're going to think really, really hard about buying it.
I mean, usually the test drive is the last piece of the proverbial puzzle.
After the pause it's been made.
The pause has been made and agreed upon price.
You've gone through the car thoroughly.
You know what it is you're buying.
The only thing that's keeping you from buying the car at that point in time is the test drive.
It's not the test drive and then, oh, I want to look the car over.
I want to look it underneath.
I want to agree on a price.
No, no, no.
That's the backwards way.
The forwards way that we do it is that everything happens before that.
And a lot of times, depending on the car, the only test drive we're going to give you is a ride around the parking lot.
You and the passenger seat, us and the driver seat.
And that's from a liability standpoint.
We sell some cars that are significant high horsepower cars that are a little finessy.
They're a little finicky and they need some finessing.
And you need to know what you're doing when you drive this car.
And we'll spend all the time in the world, if you buy a car, going through all those points and things that you need to know about the car.
But to just say, oh, here's the keys.
Go take your test drive.
We'll see you in an hour.
This is not a new car.
This is not a new car dealership.
The liability is we are responsible for other people's cars because these are all consignment cars.
I'm surprised you bring up an interesting point because I've looked at newer cars recently and they do just hand you the keys and say, I'll see you.
I'll see you.
I'm like, aren't you going with me?
I guess there's a liability in that too, especially a two-seater when you can only take one salesperson with you.
Well, and how many salespeople have been scared to death with test drives?
You know, a guy's not a very good driver or drives a little faster than he should have or whatever the case may be.
I was really surprised.
How far can I go?
How long should I be gone?
I mean, what's the protocol for this?
I don't know.
I probably always come back too early when I test drive.
I do too.
Maybe I've been gone too long.
I did two laps in the 350Z a couple weeks ago because I came back and I'm like, wait, that's not enough.
And I'm like, how fast can I go in this thing?
Maybe they have a little governor on it.
You do want to get the heat up a little bit.
You want to cycle the heat so you can see what's going on.
There's so many things that you overlook, though, when you test drive a car.
Did you even bother to check the air conditioning?
You know, I mean...
I do, but you're right.
Most people don't.
Most people don't.
And how do you check the air conditioner in the winter?
Because if it's colder and crap outside, it feels cold when it's coming out of the thing.
You really got what you need is some kind of temperature gauge, one of those infrared temperature gauge things to...
Yeah, and bring a paint gauge too and check all the paint, check all the panels.
Yeah, and you know, it's fun to watch somebody thoroughly go through a car
and understand all the nuances and everything about the car.
It's one of those things that, you know, when you're good at it, you're really good at it.
And we have guys who are really good at it.
That's what they do and that's their whole job every day is to go through these cars
and find out what they are and what they aren't.
Hey, somebody pulled up at a car in coffee a couple months ago in a Lamborghini kit
and I was like, wow, a Lamborghini couture.
I can't believe it.
And the whole time, I totally didn't.
He opens the hood and it's Chevy V8 and I'm like, oh, man, did I get full?
I don't believe Lamborghinis came with a Chevy V8.
It was a good copy, but I felt...
I was live at the time, too, on TikTok and I felt fairly sure.
Well, you know, hey, we turned in my car guy club.
We all have to be humble, you know.
We haven't talked about our friends at the casino lately.
Oh, have you been over there?
I haven't been much.
We've tried to limit ourselves a little bit.
We're in that self-help program.
But it is a lot of fun.
Yeah.
And it's exciting.
It would be fun to have one close by.
Yeah, it's fun.
And you just have to be disciplined like anything.
We're all adults, so nobody tells us no on much of anything anymore.
So you have to tell yourself no, which really sucks.
That's the part about being an adult that I have to be my own self.
It's called Free Will.
There's a rush song called Free Will.
Is there?
Yeah, there is.
Not to be confused with Free Willy.
That's a movie.
That's a whale movie, right?
Or the Cocaine Bear.
You see that?
No.
You don't watch TV or movies.
The Cocaine Bear, I heard about that.
Some bear got into some cocaine that was dropped from an airplane.
And that guy, they went crazy.
I don't know.
And it happened in Tennessee, of course.
Right.
Oh, they made a whole movie.
They made a whole movie.
One and a half of it.
Thanks, Ethan.
Bear on Coke.
Yeah, Bear on Coke.
Now, that's fun.
That's exciting.
That's a good plot line.
Is it really look good?
Really?
Okay.
Please do.
All right.
We want to hear all about the Cocaine Bear movie.
Anyway, where did we sell cars to?
Where did you?
Steve.
Oh, my goodness.
How about Pensville, New Jersey, West Springfield, Virginia, Owing Mills, Maryland, Rogersville,
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