When is it time to sell?

[daveymc29]

I have three Model A's, 82 years old, not the best of health but enjoy a bit of fooling with them. It is getting much harder to do things, took me a week to install A/C in a coupe and two days to check the valve adjustment in a driver. I'm thinking that it may be time to sell at least two of them. Anyone figure out when is the "right" time to do that? I know I can't bring myself to getting rid of all three at once, but it seems I feel buried at times with too many. Maybe if I had just one I could keep it in better state of repair and cleanliness.

[WHN]

If they were paintings on the walls of your house and you enjoyed looking at them, would you be thinking of selling.

I have two nice old porch rockers in the garage. I spend many afternoons out there just rocking and admiring our 29. Still drive it about 100 miles a year. Have had it 40 years. Like my Lionel train set, I just enjoy still having them around.

When your gone your gone. If owning a Model A makes you smile, why get rid of it. Just sit back and enjoy it.

[woofa.express]

Hi Davey Mc. you have kept your age well by the look of your photo in your Avatar.
When to sell and if is a personal decision and you should act with what your heart, not your head, tells you. I wish you good luck and good health. cheers, gary

[CHuDWah]

I'm not quite your age but I'm gettin' there fast. I've had multiple cars at once and maintaining them all is a job, especially when you're less able to do so. If you're to the point of being overwhelmed, I'd say it's time to thin the herd. I sold all mine and I miss them, so I don't recommend that. I'm sure you have soft spots for all three. My advice is figure out which one has the softest spot and sell the other two.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by daveymc29

... took me a week to install A/C in a coupe ...

Don't feel bad Dave, from start to finish, it took me about 5 years to get the A/C fully functional.

[Bob-A]

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I'm 67 and I am starting to down size already. I've still got two "A's", but
sold my '29 Chevy. This fall I might try and sell my '31 roadster: nice original, runs great. Plus, I have to put my '29 roadster back on the road:
looks great, but one big fat Lemon. Before I get to old to drive. I would like to have one nice "A". An older restoration (done right!) that all I have to do is. Keep the dust off of it, change the oil & adjust the brakes when needed...


Bob-A


PS: Has anybody else noticed the high number of "A's" for sale in Hemming's, the two national club mags, Auto Trader, etc.?

[ronn]

I would just sell one of the three. the least desired. You can always sell another later........

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by ronn

I would just sell one of the three. the least desired. You can always sell another later........

If you want to keep them, perhaps talk to a club and get some help? There are probably inexperienced club members who would jump at the chance to learn from a master. You may even put up a post here on the Barn, see who is close to you and willing to help, do the heavy lifting. Give you a chance to meet some new people and socialize.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Any family members willing to take over the care and ownership of the cars?

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I sold my Model As & just sold my truck. I'm THROUGH driving, I'm NOT SAD about it & think of the $$$$$$s I'll save!
Bill Afoot

[daveymc29]

BILL,, I'm thinking of getting two coupes out of my garage, one being "Vermin" in your avatar. Not that Vermin and the other coupe aren't good cars, but I do know they all need a bit of TLC and I spend a lot of my time at doctors, so I'm a lot like #6 above and I do have a pretty little 29 roadster that even my bride can drive, I think I will be better served with my efforts if I devote more of them to the Roadster, 29SMILE I got from Allan Funt of Candid Camera fame. I don't like driving when it's terribly hot or cold and rainy. Watch the ads. I'm with your thinking on the $$$ saved also.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Any family members willing to take over the care and ownership of the cars?

Be careful! Too many family members feign interest, but all they see are the dollar signs from selling it to the nearest hot rodder!

[Roger Green]

Davey Mc,
I have a different approach. Maybe adjust your expectations. Take cleanliness, most cars really only need to be washed once or twice a year. I know some could not stand to do this, but really I can still drive them, even if they are dirty. And it really makes the cars of the guys in our club who cares about waxing & polishing look great!
Random ROG

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

To answer your question specifically, you need to determine when it is a value most to your purchaser. To some, the highest value comes at Springtime because they want something to enjoy for the Summer. Other times, it is after income tax returns have been received. To some who must pay, then April 15th is NOT a good time. If you have a large swap meet annually with a large car coral, often times people come to purchase a new toy with funds in their back pocket. My point is that each geographical location is different, and so you need to think thru your market area.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Be careful! Too many family members feign interest, but all they see are the dollar signs from selling it to the nearest hot rodder!

So true, especially at the time of a death and a will. I've seen family members turn on each other like starved lions when it comes to money and greed.

[jwilliams81]

Find a younger member in a local club that you know already has an interest. Maybe mid 20's - late 30's. Maybe give them a little discount.
Help build the Model A life and love for another guy or girl.

I kind of agree with the family members faking interest in the car. Times will get tough and more than likely they will sell the car. I like the idea of finding someone with the passion that is young and can continue the car's history.

[burner31]

February 31st of last year...damn, missed it

[Merc Cruzer]

It gives me purpose, since I am still replacing parts and working on it. I figure if I have to go chasing parts on the internet, it keeps my mind busy and in shape.....and that is a good thing! When the parts come in I have to install them so manual dexterity is maintained. All in all your car keeps you healthy.

[P.S.]

Hey Dave,

Your club has a couple of really good Model A guys in it. All you need to do is pick up the phone. Maybe have some pizza and beverages for them. Just sayin.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by jwilliams81

Find a younger member in a local club that you know already has an interest. Maybe mid 20's - late 30's. Maybe give them a little discount.
Help build the Model A life and love for another guy or girl.

I kind of agree with the family members faking interest in the car. Times will get tough and more than likely they will sell the car. I like the idea of finding someone with the passion that is young and can continue the car's history.

Sell it to someone who is into As as a Hobby, not a stranger on EBay. Have head people who will say wwhat ou wan to hear, and then turn around and flip it, or tun it into a Rat Rod, or Rod it out. Depends if you care what happens to Your As. You may not get as much for it.

[barnstuf]

In reading the original post I am struck by the fact he is not very old in my estimation, as I am older than any Model A. The time to think about selling relates to your general health. When you have more cars than you can enjoy driving, and find maintenance and repair is a chore, sell one at a time until you reach your comfort level.

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

So true, especially at the time of a death and a will. I've seen family members turn on each other like starved lions when it comes to money and greed.

Sad but true. It's even sadder when the cause is "Dad/grandpa/whoever loved me best because he left me the Model A."

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

It gives me purpose, since I am still replacing parts and working on it. I figure if I have to go chasing parts on the internet, it keeps my mind busy and in shape.....and that is a good thing! When the parts come in I have to install them so manual dexterity is maintained. All in all your car keeps you healthy.

^This^ One of the reasons I regret selling mine.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Sold my truck across the street, I can still SMILE at it!
Bill Walking

[Dick Carne]

I have been blessed to have accumulated several old cars over the years, but in my younger days, under my father's counsel, was required to sell a couple rather than start a parking lot in the back yard. For the most part, I was accepting of the charge, but I also miss that first old Model A that my father and I shared. One of the lessons that I learned from all of this was that you can never replace one for what you might hope to sell it for ... and in the case of that first Model A, it has gone through several later owners and its location is now unknown. Wish I could find it, regardless of whether I could add it to my collection ... .

[Jeff/Illinois]

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Antique cars are actually works of art to be admired as such.

I too take pleasure just sitting in the garage looking at the cars and not even driving them. Just wipe them down now and then. They don't need cared for like a horse does. Doesn't hurt for them to just sit. Especially a Model A Ford.

If it brings you pleasure, just keep them. After you die let the next guy deal with it. Don't worry about making money on them. Last time I checked nobody cares about money after you are dead. You won't need it where we're going. Like you've heard a thousand times before, a Hearse has no trailer hitch. It's not pulling a U-Haul trailer full of your 'stuff' behind it on the way to the cemetery.

Case in point. In my town was a friend who had an Early Ford V-8 Dearborn award winning '41 Coupe. Beautiful car it was his great pride and honor to own it. He decided like you, 'well, my health is going bad I need to sell my Coupe' so he did. And missed the car a LOT. He went into a state of severe depression. He'd sleep 20 hours a day. Seriously. Day and nite. Week in and week out. He went downhill, lasted about two or three years they just buried him last summer. His family said he'd look at pictures of his Coupe. And cry.

So, did HE make the right decision? Any doubts I'd keep the thing just my opinion. If you are posting this on here, that tells me you don't want to sell otherwise you'd just sell the cars and move on w/o a word. You want us to make the decision for you.

I'd say you already made the decision.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

All this BLUBBERING about a bunch of assembled parts that were designed to be DISPOSABLE, in a FEW YEARS!!!----SPARE ME!
Bill Laughing

[Jeff/Illinois]

Bill I hope you stay active here, I appreciate your words of wisdom

[30 Closed Cab PU]

When my Grandparents passed, and when my Parents passed, the Wills said to divide the estate equally. They had the attitude if there were issues, let them duke it out.
They would be around to have to contend with the squabbles. Same with if you want to leave the A to a particular person who you know is really interested in it and takes care of.


My sister and I must be unusual, our attitude was if the other really wanted something, let the other person have it. After all, 100 years from now what difference does it make?

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

When my Grandparents passed, and when my Parents passed, the Wills said to divide the estate equally. They had the attitude if there were issues, let them duke it out.
They would not be around to have to contend with the squabbles. Same with if you want to leave the A to a particular person who you know is really interested in it and takes care of.


My sister and I must be unusual, our attitude was if the other really wanted something, let the other person have it. After all, 100 years from now what difference does it make?

correction

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Bill I hope you stay active here, I appreciate your words of wisdom

Jeff, I always wonder WHY I've lived to 83, "maybe" it's my MISSION, to make Folks LAFF at their TROUBLES???
Bill Laffin'

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Antique cars are actually works of art to be admired as such.

I too take pleasure just sitting in the garage looking at the cars and not even driving them. Just wipe them down now and then. They don't need cared for like a horse does. Doesn't hurt for them to just sit. Especially a Model A Ford.

If it brings you pleasure, just keep them. After you die let the next guy deal with it. Don't worry about making money on them. Last time I checked nobody cares about money after you are dead. You won't need it where we're going. Like you've heard a thousand times before, a Hearse has no trailer hitch. It's not pulling a U-Haul trailer full of your 'stuff' behind it on the way to the cemetery.

Case in point. In my town was a friend who had an Early Ford V-8 Dearborn award winning '41 Coupe. Beautiful car it was his great pride and honor to own it. He decided like you, 'well, my health is going bad I need to sell my Coupe' so he did. And missed the car a LOT. He went into a state of severe depression. He'd sleep 20 hours a day. Seriously. Day and nite. Week in and week out. He went downhill, lasted about two or three years they just buried him last summer. His family said he'd look at pictures of his Coupe. And cry.

So, did HE make the right decision? Any doubts I'd keep the thing just my opinion. If you are posting this on here, that tells me you don't want to sell otherwise you'd just sell the cars and move on w/o a word. You want us to make the decision for you.

I'd say you already made the decision.

If you're in a Model A procession, going to a burial, wouldn't it add some FUN, to load a Pickup, with his SPARE PARTS--LOL
Bill Weirdo

[Jim Brierley]

I'm 81, had a serious stroke 5 years ago, so am very restricted as what I can do, and I have 3 Model A's. Am I able to still work on them? Not like I used to but still enjoy tinkering and driving them. Mine are all in my will, designating where they are to go, if that doesn't happen, I will be gone and won't care. Besides, what else are you going to do?

[daveymc29]

Well I did decide some time ago that I wanted to thin the herd and was happy with two Model A's in the garage. Mess with them and not have to move too much around to do it with all my tools and the bride car there also. Then an A I hadn't seen in years suddenly reappeared and there I was with three. That made it a bit cramped so the place became an eye sore and hard to work in. I decided to sell or trade and dang if I didn't end up trading and got another one, so now I have put it on the market. If it goes fine, and if not that is okay also. But I would like to clean the joint up a bit so I could have company without being embarrassed. Also a few folks still bring their machines by for a little tinkering. Takes me a while to make room for them if it is going to spend any real time here.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Dave another garage would solve your problem

Space IS a factor there's never enough of it. We should be collecting stamps I guess we're in the wrong hobby.

[2manycars]

As we get older, there comes a time when the cars seem to own us, not we own them. I have too many cars, but enjoy most of them, and will keep some for sentimental reasons. I have my very first car, a 40 ford, my 29 tudor that I bought in 1975, the early 28 roadster pickup I restored for my girlfriend, and one MG. I just sold my MGBGT, as I was not using it enough. My daughter came home from hospital in the 40 when she was born, and it is my first car, so that stays. My sons came home from hospital iwhen they were born in the 29, and it also took my son's ashes to rest, so that stays. My girlfriend is now disabled and cannot drive, but the pickup stays as long as she is alive. The MG roadster is a fun car to drive, so that is staying for now. I also have 3 modern cars, and 3 motorcycles, although 2 of them are for sale. We cannot take this stuff with us when we die, but if it is not a burden, and we enjoy them, there is no harm in keeping them, and let the kids deal with them when we are dead.

[drezin]

I am in the same boat. I am 85 and it takes me a week to do a days work on them. I have four cars that I restored and I know I should downsize, but darn, selling one is like selling your hunting dog

[2manycars]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Dave another garage would solve your problem

Space IS a factor there's never enough of it. We should be collecting stamps I guess we're in the wrong hobby.

My father used to say "A man has as much stuff as he has room for, plus 10%".

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Dave another garage would solve your problem

Space IS a factor there's never enough of it. We should be collecting stamps I guess we're in the wrong hobby.

Haven't you heard of the STAMP TAX? LOL

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Haven't you heard of the STAMP TAX? LOL

WELL, we could collect them LOOOONG Stick Pins & when someone tried to MUG us, we'd be ARMED! At home I'm armed with a .22 Rifle & Greggs' Machette & of course, the VICIOUS DOG!
Bill Safeathome

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

WELL, we could collect them LOOOONG Stick Pins & when someone tried to MUG us, we'd be ARMED! At home I'm armed with a .22 Rifle & Greggs' Machette & of course, the VICIOUS DOG!
Bill Safeathome

Careful, Bill! I bet California has a law against those long hatpins!

[Clem Clement]

If they give you pleasure, keep the gang of them. I whimper when I think of the cars gone. My mental attitude and therefore spirit jumps up many notches as I enter my garage. For me, the pursuit of happiness starts in my garage.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

[QUOTE=Clem Clement;1674755]If they give you pleasure, keep the gang of them. I whimper when I think of the cars gone. My mental attitude and therefore spirit jumps up many notches as I enter my garage. For me, the pursuit of happiness starts in my garage.[/QUOTE]
HAPPINESS is best pursued, in the BEDROOM!
Bill Horny

[daveymc29]

No one in my family seems to have any interest in any old cars older than the Muscle cars and Ferraris. Grand kids ride with me sometimes and are thrilled to get home to their internet toys. I still will keep at least one for that final ride.

[Dennis D 1929]

Originally Posted by CHuDWah

I'm not quite your age but I'm gettin' there fast. I've had multiple cars at once and maintaining them all is a job, especially when you're less able to do so. If you're to the point of being overwhelmed, I'd say it's time to thin the herd. I sold all mine and I miss them, so I don't recommend that. I'm sure you have soft spots for all three. My advice is figure out which one has the softest spot and sell the other two.

If you find two of those things, let me know I'll buy one LOL.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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When attending Car Shows, remember that Guys with MUSCLE CARS/HOT RODS/EXOTICS think theirs' are the GREATEST! Respect that & talk to them about their Jewels!
I like to find a Guy sittng alone, with a NOT too impressive car, and chat with him. Meet some GREAT people, this way. And ask, "What part was the HARDEST to find"?
Bill Friendly

[3.6rs]

Don't sell them if you don't need the money. Store them, and after you're gone (hopefully you stay many more years) other people will find them and name them "barn finds". They will be worth more...

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Haven't you heard of the STAMP TAX? LOL

Oooops yes I forgot that Tom and where I live I'm sure it applies

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

[QUOTE=Clem Clement;1674755]If they give you pleasure, keep the gang of them. I whimper when I think of the cars gone. My mental attitude and therefore spirit jumps up many notches as I enter my garage. For me, the pursuit of happiness starts in my garage.

HAPPINESS is best pursued, in the BEDROOM!
Bill Horny[/QUOTE]

Pursuing happiness in the garage leads to less disappointment - and headaches for her!!