Time to retire, time to sell ... 1969 COPO Camaro
 

Ok, so now the time has officially come ... Time to part with my beloved 1969 COPO Camaro which I have owned for 29 years. The time has come for me to start looking at some options for possible early retirement and selling my COPO sort of goes hand in hand with that. A good sale would help me to be able to retire perhaps a few year sooner.

So that all said, I really have no idea how to go about selling this car. Would one go Consignment? Auction? Hemmings...? I am really at a lost here with no direction for this and hope you all can help me out with some direction, education and advice. Of course I can't afford to be "taken" here so need to the pro and cons. This community has always been good to me, so I reach to you all once again. Below are some links (hopefully still good) that tell the story and some history behind my car:

http://www.camaros.net/forums/35-cop...ject-pics.html

http://www.camaros.net/forums/15-tag...inal-copo.html


The car was originally purchased new from Baldwin Motors in New York. I bought it from I think the 3rd owner in the summer of 1993. Restored it about 7 years ago and had it appraised and certified by Jerry MacNeish in June of 2016. Attached are few pics. I thank anyone and all who respond.

I’m sure word of mouth may sell this. If you can stomach auctions and all that goes with it that’s an option.

After owning it for 29 years, I would assume you've got to have a fair estimate of the car's current market value, and/or what you would be comfortable selling it for. If so, this forum is an excellent place to sell such a car. Pony up the few $$ needed to become a full fledged member and post it in the "For Sale" section here and see what happens.

What are Pros and Cons of BaT?

Pros:
Car stays in my garage
$99 to list. No Commission fees
Buyers pay to have car shipped

Cons:
They would like to send their photographer out - for $250 (this could also be considered a Pro)
Others …?

Feel free to chime in the Pros and Cons.
Thanks.

The cons.

Long wait time until it’s actually live and for sale.

If you’re emotionally tied to the car. Having it picked to death in the comment section. It can be hard on a seller.

And my opinion. $250 for professional photos is money well spent. You’re not selling a ford Taurus.

I've read some buyers don't always follow through with any kind of payment either.

Also, I found with my auction on BaT that they censor the listing person, but not those who just post and some BS. Also once the auction ends, other can keep posting and the listing person is cut off and can't reply. I was just lowballed and other were allowed to comment but quite a few of my replys we removed by BaT.

I would sell it here or places like carsonline. BaT has been more then a waiste for many. Because IF you don't meet the reserve, you low price always comes up for other to see or thing it's not worth what your asking.

69 copo
 

I agree with Wilma!

I was high bidder on a camaro on bat and it didnt meet reserve. The seller contacted me to sell it off the site and that got me thinking, there is no protection with dealing with anyone on there as far as I could tell. Seller might have been ok guy but the way he went about it after the sale concerned me. Said if it was just between us there would be no fees. BAT has my credit card, if there was some way they find out I bet I would get charged. Just concerned me enough I passed

...

... Alot of great advice stated above.

... This is a great place to start.

... Good luck on the sale !

:biggthumpup:

...

In the event a car does not meet reserve, the high bidder and seller are left to make a deal offline. It's in the fine print that BaT is out.

Added to that, there is no protection from BaT if the car is sold there. Once they have their money (BaT) they are out.

I listed my 68 L89 on BAT. Although it didn't start of well...photographer didn't show up. They refunded that portion back to me and I hired my on. They try to handle everything on line. Very hard to actually talk to someone. Once it went live, it was ok from there. Be aware ,or disregard trolls, as there are a few who buy nothing but love to tell you how much is wrong with your car. Mine didn't meet reserve, but they give the high bidder your info and vice versa. We worked a deal out and cost the buyer nothing. They tell you that upfront. It certainly appeals to a lot of folks. Determine your reserve and if it don't get there, you have a chance to negotiate with the high bidder. If you cant, your not out much money and can go another route. Just my 2 cents.

I have found they usually wont accept it if they feel the reserve is to high since they only get paid if it sells

Your right. Someone called me from bat after I filled out application and we negotiate the reserve. Mine did get very close.

I did talk (online) with the BaT rep in regards to a "reserve" after exchanging photos and other information about the car. I gave them a number and they came back $5,000 less and said they were ready to send out Photographer and then list.

I want to put in a new headliner in and do a couple other things to the car prior to listing (anywhere). The headliner starting to come down annoys me. But it's pretty close to being ready for sale.

I had out over the weekend after washing and waxing it. It really is such a clean and sweet sounding car. :)

Hey, you could always come with me tomorrow (sat 10/15) to the Flemington Speedway historical show in Ringoes. And put a for sale sign in it for crazy money :) Ya never know! Last year I had two serious buyers for my car, but I was not ready to sell.

https://www.flemingtonspeedwayhistor.../about-us.html

Oh man Kevin, I would’ve taken you up on that and I Miami minute. Put it on the trailer and brought it up there. However tomorrow we are driving A little over four hours down to Virginia for a relatives 90th birthday party.

Flemington would have been good exposure. Thanks for thinking of me all the same. Much appreciate it as always!

no69x-44 COPO
 

This site's focus is for the serious hobbyist, restorer and collector. I'm disappointed you haven't attempted to list it on this site. This site has provided you with a wealth of information and guidance. My suggestion is become a contributing member and take advantage of our classifieds popularity and exposure. This site focuses on Supercars and I bet one of our members would love to own your car and be a great caretaker. Figure what you want for the car and list it, and if it's a win for you and the buyer it will sell.

I will give you an example of a recent transaction on this site. I listed a killer Boss 429 Mustang which I saw on one of our sponsor sites. I decided to list this car here and a member saw it here and purchased. GLWS

Thank you Steve!!

He's leaning towards BaT because he may not know the exact value of the car. He was asked early in the thread what he felt the value of the car is. He didn't answer.

To list a car on this site - you have to include a price. He knows he has a valuable car. He doesn't want to leave "money on the table."

no69x-44:

You may want to get an appraised value of your car before you put it up for sale. Then you will know what ball park you are in as far as price. What you think the car is worth and what it's actually worth may be two different numbers.

Hard to pin down a value on any particular car, especially rarer cars due to an almost infinite number of variables, including those not related to the car itself, i.e. overall economic conditions.
If you look at auction results history for the last several years on 69 COPO Camaros that sold, a general range is about $160K to $200K. There are certainly flyers that exceeded $250K, and a few that were in the $120 to $140K range.
Auction results are not a perfect gauge for value, but they do reflect what someone did actually pay for a car (unless the owner bought their own car back, which has happened with no reserve auctions).
Pick a number you'll be very happy with and list it on SYC! The actual market will be in touch with you through your PM's:grin:

I agree, list here first! You will get PM's by members on price and you won't get dummys cutting up your car, like I did on BaT.

I didn't think my car was up to the caliber of what this site goes for, that's why I didn't list here. Also I think you will get MORE here than on the other site too. Yours is a desirable car and color combo and will get some good offers, if you haven't already.

Sister copo camaro
 

Hi I have the brother car from Baldwin same car 69 camaro copo , cortez silver auto black interior the only difference is my 69 has a endura ft bumper my production date is 03/26/69 urs is 03/25/69 Jerry M , certified and appraised my copo and mentioned that there was a sister car to my Baldwin copo witch is I believe urs ! That’s really cool I got to find ur cortez silver Baldwin copo camaro , hope u get the most u can for it ,

I listed a car on BAT. I found lead time to get vehicle listed was long. At my listing time there were other 67 Camaros listed same time for sale. Not that this would be a problem with your COPO. It is hit and miss. My car did not reach reserve. Would I list again on BAT? I'm not sure. I sold it on consignment which was scary in thought but actually easier in real life. Problem is this is not the best time of year to sell a vintage vehicle. Most sell in the spring for more money. Just my opinion.