Mecum/Barrett Jackson auction Mach 1's

[huskerrod]

Hey gang,

Well November 22-23 Mecum comes to my neck of the woods in Anaheim, California and I will by that time have sufficient funds to maybe make a play on a Mach. Im not sure of inventory yet, but should at least by a few 69-73's. The suction is slated to have 750 cars. I would love to had the opportunity to bid on this car that sold for $16,000:
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail...913-165038

Has anyone bought an auction car before? I know I can go to the auction early and veiw the car. Is the owner usually on site to field questions and fire the car up? One of my prerequisites to buying a car is for it to test drive it, but Im not sure that is an option at an auction with hundreds of cars cramped in a convention center ready to roll out on the auction block.

I also understand the buyers/sellers commission and the fact that I have to be approved for the funds before the auction begins. From what I understand to be approved for the funds I can raise the limits of my credit card and free up credit capital to use to pay for the vehicle. Does that sound correct or did I read that part wrong?

Thanks gang,

Rod

[Steven Harris]

Hey Rod,

For $16,000 the red 73 Mach 1 looks to have been a good buy!

I have never attended that type of auction so I can't offer you much help. Perhaps someone with personal experience can chime in and give you a few pointers.

Keep us posted in your hunt for your Mach 1.

[Mustangmike]

I never purchased a car from an auction nor have I ever attended a live auction before. However, I would guess there is pre-auction inspection open to all interested bidders. You might consider contacting Mecum directly or visiting their website to see the terms of their auction.

Remember there are a lot of nice cars out there for sale and chances are after you buy the one you fall in love with a better deal may follow...Murphy's Law.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

[69cobrajetrugae2]

Hey gang,

Well November 22-23 Mecum comes to my neck of the woods in Anaheim, California and I will by that time have sufficient funds to maybe make a play on a Mach. Im not sure of inventory yet, but should at least by a few 69-73's. The suction is slated to have 750 cars. I would love to had the opportunity to bid on this car that sold for $16,000:
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail...913-165038

Has anyone bought an auction car before? I know I can go to the auction early and veiw the car. Is the owner usually on site to field questions and fire the car up? One of my prerequisites to buying a car is for it to test drive it, but Im not sure that is an option at an auction with hundreds of cars cramped in a convention center ready to roll out on the auction block.

I also understand the buyers/sellers commission and the fact that I have to be approved for the funds before the auction begins. From what I understand to be approved for the funds I can raise the limits of my credit card and free up credit capital to use to pay for the vehicle. Does that sound correct or did I read that part wrong?

Thanks gang,

Rod

Hi Rod;
I spent 4 days looking at mustangs to purchase at Anaheim last year at Mecum. There we're about 6 to 8 mustangs that I was interested in. I wanted a 67 or 68 fastback or a 69 sports roof.

The inspection tools at my disposal are a paint gauge, a filler gauge and a boroscope and a lot of knowledge gained from studying mustangs and their inherent issues, mainly rust and accident repair.

After much disappointment it turns out that all of the mustangs we're rusted, wrecked, or remade junk. They all looked good but did not stand up to my inspection. What's worse is that you cannot drive the cars, or otherwise do a proper inspection.

There are some honest cars at an auction and typically these will not sell for reserve because the owner knows what he has and is not willing to give the car away. After the auction has ended you may contact the seller and do a proper inspection and hopefully, make a deal on a good mustang.

It is important to remember that you are not really buying the car, you are buying the owner. A reputable seller with a story to tell is the most valuable inspection tool at your disposal.

I purchased my mustang with out a proper inspection because the seller was very credible. He was simply making room in his collection for another car. The car looked like new and was very well cared for in a climate controlled garage. There was not a mark on it. e priced the car fairly but money was not his objective. He wanted the car to go to a good home and he did not want the car flipped or be sent to Europe. In a sense, I call it an "adoption".

Still, I have spent approximately 1500 dollars sorting out little details and the car always needs something. If I drive it for 2 hours it takes 3 hours of detailing! I change the oil every 800 miles and do a visual undercar inspection at that time.

The aftermarket parts for mustangs are largely junk. The best money you can spend is to buy one that is largely original with a paint job or two. Always recondition parts as opposed to new whenever you can. I have posted pics of my car on this forum if you are interested.

By the way, last year a green 69 sportsroof sold at mecum Anaheim for about 31K. It looked great in the pics online. In person the car was rough as hell. I would not have paid any amount for it. It had 1/2 inch of bondo throughout the car, some areas more. If the car was to be in a serious collision, bystanders would be injured or worse from flying bondo! I feel sorry for whoever bought that POS.

Good luck.

[huskerrod]

Guys,

Thanks for the input. Every little bit helps in my quest for a car. Brings up another question. Can you guys go to one of the commercial oil change places i.e. Jiffy Lube and get the oil changed on a classic car? Do you have to bring your own oil filter or do they have filters that fit the classics on site?

[Steven Harris]

Hi Rod;
I spent 4 days looking at mustangs to purchase at Anaheim last year at Mecum. There we're about 6 to 8 mustangs that I was interested in. I wanted a 67 or 68 fastback or a 69 sports roof.

.......

I purchased my mustang with out a proper inspection because the seller was very credible. He was simply making room in his collection for another car. The car looked like new and was very well cared for in a climate controlled garage. There was not a mark on it. e priced the car fairly but money was not his objective. He wanted the car to go to a good home and he did not want the car flipped or be sent to Europe. In a sense, I call it an "adoption".

Good luck.

Thanks for the helpful reply 69CobraJet.. No doubt but that will help Rod and anyone else looking at the same Auction options.

Rod, I do all my own mechanical work so I have never been to any oil change outfit. I would have a hard time trusting someone that doesn't even want to be at work working on my car.

I would recommend seeing if you can find a qualified solo shop. One that comes recommended by word of mouth from his clientele.

[BLACK JADE 69]

I WILL AGREE 100 % WITH THAT EXCELLENT ADVICE. 9 TIMES OUT OF TEN AT AUCTION IS SOMEBODY LOOKING FOR A QUICK BUCK. BE SURE TO CHECK UNDERSIDE FLOOR PANS FRAME RAILS AND INNER FENDER FRONT A REAR. AS FOR YOUR OIL CHANGE BE CAREFUL OF THE PLACES WITH THE GOOD, BETTER, AND BEST. ALWAYS USE THE BEST OIL AND FILTER YOU CAN AFFORD BECAUSE THAT IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF YOUR VEHICLE. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH.

[huskerrod]

thanks for the info, guys. I've cooled a bit on the auction idea. I like the comment one of you fellas made about the the importance of not only the car, but to getting to know what the owner is all about. Getting to know what the owner about gives you a lot of info on the car. Is he an 18 year old kid burning out and racing all over town..or....is he a guy that babies the car, parked it covered in the garage, and takes it out from time to time.

[69cobrajetrugae2]

thanks for the info, guys. I've cooled a bit on the auction idea. I like the comment one of you fellas made about the the importance of not only the car, but to getting to know what the owner is all about. Getting to know what the owner about gives you a lot of info on the car. Is he an 18 year old kid burning out and racing all over town..or....is he a guy that babies the car, parked it covered in the garage, and takes it out from time to time.

That's right. If a seller is credible he will tell you everything about the car, what he has done and what he thinks needs to be done. However, his car might have issues that he might not be aware of, therefore, take your time inspecting the car. If the car looks perfect and the price is fair, jump on it.

The most important thing to remember is that your search might take days, or years, to find the right car. Meanwhile, learn all you can about the year model you want.