Backed by allcollectorcars.com -- ACC Auctions was designed to provide the best online auction experience for buyers and sellers alike. We specialize in classic cars & trucks, and only work with trusted sellers who certify that their vehicles are exactly as advertised.
Compared to in-person auctions, online auctions provide buyers & sellers a much more affordable way to do business by offering significantly lower fees! We allow our sellers to upload UNLIMITED photos, videos, and description to their listings, so that even though you aren't seeing the car in person, you get a clear understanding of its condition.
Auctions End and Begin every Monday-Friday. Once you create a free user account you are able to follow auctions, ask questions, and place bids!
Backed by allcollectorcars.com -- ACC Auctions was designed to provide the best online auction experience for buyers and sellers alike. We specialize in classic cars & trucks, and only work with trusted sellers who certify that their vehicles are exactly as advertised.
Compared to in-person auctions, online auctions provide buyers & sellers a much more affordable way to do business by offering significantly lower fees! We allow our sellers to upload UNLIMITED photos, videos, and description to their listings, so that even though you aren't seeing the car in person, you get a clear understanding of its condition.
Auctions End and Begin every Monday-Friday. Once you create a free user account you are able to follow auctions, ask questions, and place bids!
Backed by allcollectorcars.com -- ACC Auctions was designed to provide the best online auction experience for buyers and sellers alike. We specialize in classic cars & trucks, and only work with trusted sellers who certify that their vehicles are exactly as advertised.
Compared to in-person auctions, online auctions provide buyers & sellers a much more affordable way to do business by offering significantly lower fees! We allow our sellers to upload UNLIMITED photos, videos, and description to their listings, so that even though you aren't seeing the car in person, you get a clear understanding of its condition.
Auctions End and Begin every Monday-Friday. Once you create a free user account you are able to follow auctions, ask questions, and place bids!
Ronnie Craig, General Manager of Duffy’s Classic Cars was hoping to get some leads and maybe sell a car through ACC Auctions, but he never dreamed that the first 2 cars he listed, would sell the first week.
His strategy was to look at cars that were not your typical muscle cars, had been in his inventory for longer than six months and they were slated to head to an onsite auction. He chose a 1950 Ford Woody Wagon and a 1929 Ford Model A, not only did the two vehicles sell but they exceeded the reserve.
In the competitive market of classic and muscle cars, every dealer is looking for the edge, looking for a marketing platform that drives not just traffic but BUYERS, that is exactly why ACC Auctions was formed. Dealers know cars, ACC Auctions know networks, and when the two are married then success happens for both. Duffy’s Classic Cars was the first dealer to sign up for the ACC Auction Partner Program giving them up to 5 free listings per month and additional listings at just $49 each.
In one short week ACC Auctions proved that there is a segment of buyers that are eager to bid and chase the car of their dreams. The marketing to such a niche group is changing by way of a network platform with targeted demographics. Welcome to the revolution!
November is filling up fast and if you are interested in being a part of the ACC Auction program you can signup with the attached form. For questions about how this new platform can sell your cars do not hesitate to reach out by phone at 888-472-9696 or by email: [email protected]
If you would like to reach out to Ronnie Craig at Duffy’s Classic Cars about his experience you can reach him at 319-366-7600 or by email: [email protected]
There may not be a true-blue American in sight who doesn’t love a good truck, right? And even if some of us don’t own one or can’t own one because of restrictions like space or money, we still look at these heavy-duty beauties with love-struck eyes. There’s something quintessentially beautiful about classic American trucks–they represent the times of yore full of struggle but drive. These beauties are from a time when the American sons and daughters of soils smelled of horses, hay, and pure hard work. This was when people like Henry Ford wanted to make not only the best trucks possible but also the best truck possible at the best (cheapest) price so that every American could own one. And along with Ford came Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Jeep, and even International Harvester, each company vying to be the top dog in the truck division by offering sturdy, beautiful, and powerful trucks to the American public that toiled hard to realize their American dream.And the truck companies recognized their efforts by bringing home beauties that looked as well as they ran–and even if their glory days are over now, they still manage to outshine many a new truck. So, okay, they may not be a technological marvel anymore, but you cannot deny their classic lines that look so good, you’d trade your new car for one in a jiffy! And mind you, these classics don’t come cheap! Why? Because nothing represents the American dream better than an American classic truck or a pickup, once a tool used to build America into the country it is today. So, here’s our list of the sickest classic American trucks ever, in random order; so which one is your American dream?
Introduced in 1953, The Ford F-100 was instantly a favorite, but when they did the hood uplift in 1956, it ruled the roost. At the time, it wasn’t the engine of the F-100 that made the American public horde to it in droves–it was that rugged and handsome appearance of its nose coupled with a set-back front axle that made it instantly appealing. The Ford F-100 was just a half-ton, but that face made it sell out so much so that the Ford legacy became forever intertwined with the F-100.
The Willys Jeep was a fine vehicle indeed, but the fineness faded with its age and restrictive military use. It remains a classic till date. To replace it and the Forward control truck, Jeep brought in the Gladiator.
A modern full-sized pickup, it was contemporary enough to have stayed in production with only minor changes over 24 years.
The largest engine that Jeep ever put in these was the AMC 401 V8 that made the Gladiator as powerful as it was good-looking.
Not many of these were built–just less than 2,000. But as good as the Chevy Blazer was, the Blazer Chalet was even better. Why? ‘Cause it let you off-road and camp at the same time.
The Chalet had a Chinook-made pop-up camper body that sort of slid into the cargo hold of a 4WD Blazer and provided a snug motorhome for two.
As cozy as it was, it could also handle the toughest terrain you threw at it, so it was the perfect truck for adventurers at heart.
Come on… when it comes to classic trucks, we have to mention the Willys, even if most of them are now “rusting” in peace in barns. The Willys is the blueprint on which all Jeeps are based, despite the 80-inch wheelbase and its really light load. It was a 4-wheel drive and possibly the only other true-blue American workhorse other than the Ford F-series that worked with just about any and every farm implement. This was also the car that kind of invented the open-top concept in a 4X4.
The Dodge Lil’ Red was way ahead of its times–so much so that on its entry in 1978, it had the fastest 0-to-100 mph of any and all vehicles of that year, more potent than even a Corvette. With that scarlet-red color and unbelievable 18-wheeler exhaust stacks, it was one of a kind then and basically still is. The 5.8-liter V8 engine churned out 225 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque, which made it one nippy and nifty drive.
The 66 Bronco in itself was a cool enough truck, but when legendary racer Bill Stroppe teamed up with Ford, he created the very desirable and often-coveted Baja Bronco. Now, this was a class of its own. Some 400-650 replica Baja Broncos were made with a 4.9-liter V8 engine plus room for larger rear tires. There were plenty other parts that Stroppe offered as customizations, including roll cages, lights, winch, and heavy-duty suspension. They’re still considered pretty hot and basically fueled the off-road rage that’s still on today.
Till 1978, the Bronco was a small-platform truck, but then, it, too, changed guise and moved to an F-150 chassis. Now, you could choose a 7.5-liter V8 engine and basically make the Bronco buck like its namesake with so much power under the hood. We stop at 1980, though, because in 1981, the Bronco lost the Dana 44 front axle and replaced it with a Twin-Traction Beam that made it lose its till-now capable off-roading properties. So, the first three years, the new Bronco was a hit and still has quite a faithful following.
So sure, the company is defunct. But the Travelall, as the name suggests, could seat a whopping nine people with all seats in place because it was one of the first trucks to carry four real and operable doors. The curvy classic came in a 4-wheel drive that used leaf-sprung suspensions (like the Harvester pickups) and a 2-wheel drive that rode lower on a torsion-bar front suspension. In fact, the Travelall brochures bragged that if you removed the rear seats, the truck could still house a 4×8 sq ft of plywood—meaning, it was big!
22. 1942-1959 Napco Chevy And GMC Trucks
Via pinterest.com
Once upon a time, Dodge was way ahead in the truck game and had been offering 4WD since the forties. Chevy and GMC didn’t have this even in the ’50s, so they decided to take a sideways route.
They tied up with NAPCO (Northwest Auto Parts Company) that began to manufacture conversion kits for the GMC and Chevy trucks to turn them into four-wheel drives.
By 1957, the Napco Power-Pack 4WD kits were being instituted in the trucks on the assembly lines itself, and even today, these Napco trucks are coveted collectors’ items.
While the Lighting isn’t old enough to be a vintage, it’s still a classic American truck by Ford that was very well received, enough for a 1999 second-generation revival. So made by Ford’s SVT (special vehicles team), it gave a lot more power with the same 5.8-liter V8 engine because of tuning. 240 horsepower and 340 lb-ft torque, a lowered suspension on 17-inch tires and heavy duty shockers, springs, and anti-roll bars made it an American darling. And it still is a much-coveted vehicle, no matter the years on it.
The Dodge Power Wagon was introduced in 1946 and was basically built upon the WC-Series Dodge three-quarter-ton trucks used in WWII. In 1946, this was America’s very first 4WD truck, though, despite the “powerful” name, it only had a 94-horsepower-producing 3.7-liter engine. But it still got the job done because of a strong transmission and an ultra-low axle gearing. With a high ground clearance, it could pull heavy loads as well. And the only thing that could kill it was rust.
Go for this one if you want the toughest-looking truck in the history of American trucking. The “highboy” came with a sky-high feel because you could actually bolt 35-inch tires on them without having to do anything to the suspension, which is pretty neat. The drivetrain was pretty rugged as well, but after 1977, these trucks were lowered with a new frame and suspension. From mid-1977, the Ford 250 became the Lowboy, all because of a difference of some two inches.
18. 1967-72 Chevrolet Cheyenne
Via pinterest.com
The Chevy Cheyenne aka the Action Line pickups are still considered great-looking trucks, though they were made only for five years. The 71-72 Cheyenne introduced more sedan-like features with the same strength of a Chevy truck. They were the most popular and still are. Front disc brakes, a radio, a rather luxurious interior and a carpeted and insulated cab made this pickup look like luxury in front of the other spartan trucks. You’d be lucky to come across any Action Line truck, but if you get a ’71 or ’72 Cheyenne, it’s like coming across a four-leaf clover!
17. 1981-85 Jeep Scrambler
Via ebay.co.uk
The CJ offerings from Jeep, especially the CJ-5 and the CJ-7, were instant hits with off-roaders. And then, there was the CJ-8 or simply, the Jeep Scrambler.
It was built upon the CJ-7 only, with a longer wheelbase to fit in a pickup bed to widen the Jeep inventory.
For some reason, at the time, it never really became all that popular. Only 30,000 Scramblers were built, and this rarity and scarcity have now made it a rather rare and dear find.
16. 1947 Chevrolet 3100
Via pinterest.com
To brighten up the devastation of the First World War and also to create more opportunities at work, Chevrolet introduced a completely new line of Advanced-Design commercial trucks in 1947. The 1947 Chevrolet 3100 had style and gumption–and it’s as classic a truck as ever. A pre-1950 six-cylinder engine gave it power and trustworthiness as well, especially for those not terribly impressed with Ford or Dodge. It’s an American relic for sure and as classic a truck as any can get.
15. 1991 GMC Syclone
Via Barrett-Jackson.com
Why are we putting a ’91 truck on a classic-truck list? No, we haven’t gone bonkers–it’s because GMC never managed to make vehicles that lasted terribly long. So, a ’91 GMC Syclone is as much a classic as any other older truck.
The Syclone came into existence when some GMC whiz put in a 280-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine into the body of the S-15 Sonoma.
So, in ’91, this was a truck that could equal the road race even against a Ferrari. Reason enough to call it a classic, isn’t it?
14. 2007 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Supercharged
Via youtube.com
Yes, we put a 2007 truck on this list. Why? Because it’s a Ford married to a Harley Davidson, in the best way possible. The 2007 Harley Davidson has all that the previous collaborations had–the chrome accents, alloy wheels, and the Harley Davidson branding. But it also has a surprise under the hood: an optional supercharger kit for the 5.4-liter V8 engine that could generate a whopping 450 horsepower–and this was more than ten years ago. Oh, and did we mention the 500 lb-ft of torque? This monster could chew up the road and spit it right back…
13. 1973 Dodge D100 Club Cab
Via barnfinds.com
There was obviously something very appealing about the “100” tag, which is why brands other than Ford have also been using it. The Dodge D100 was introduced in the 1970s, and in ’73, it morphed into a work truck with an independent front suspension and pocketed taillights. So, it didn’t just look good then; it also looks good now, especially if you rescue and restore it with some love. One innovation about this one is it had storage space in the cabin, too, over and above the pickup bed.
12. 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota
Via tfltruck.com
While today, Ford leads the pack in trucks with its F-series hit, back in the day, Dodge wasn’t all that backward either. In fact, with a lot of the American public moving towards cars because of a nifty mobility instead of trucks, the Shelby Dakota upped the game with a powerful engine. Wih the help of Carroll Shelby (with Chrysler at the time), they put in a 5.2-liter V-8 engine that churned out 175 horsepower–big enough by 1989 standards. And the truck didn’t look half bad either.
11. 1971-1980 International Scout II
Via pinterest.com
Despite the Fords, Chevys, and the Dodges out there, the ’60s and ’70s were also ruled by the International Harvester Scout in the 4WD arena. While the Scout 80 and the 800s are coveted classics, it’s the brawny Scout II that many collectors lust after. It proved to be a perfect off-roader with its super-strong Dana 44 front axle and its 4.9-liter or 5.6-liter V8 engines. You could also opt for a longer wheelbase on this for a roomier SUV or a pickup version.
10. 1955-1958 Chevrolet Cameo
via pinterest
Honestly, this is the most beautiful pickup truck, according to many a classic fan. It shied away from the barebones workhorse truck it used to be and turned into a comfortable, stylish, and speedy pickup that was at home in a farm as it was parked beside the trendiest club. It was pricey, though, and with many more options being offered to the American buyer at cheaper costs, it died a quick death. By today’s standards, it’s a rare and pricey collectible, too.
9. 1935-1999 Chevrolet Suburban
Via depaula.com
Since the Chevrolet Suburban is the oldest continuous-use automobile name in the world, we saw it fit to mention it from its very start till 1999, after which you can’t really call it a classic. While it was first called the “Suburban Carryall,” in 1935, it was America’s very first SUV.
The 4WD came into effect way later in 1957, and four real doors came in some 16 years later in 1974.
From 1973 to 1991, the square-fender Suburban ruled the roads till finally, the design was changed again. Any year that’s available, you take the Chevrolet Suburban. It’s part and parcel of American history.
8. 1994-2001 Dodge Ram
Via americansportscar.com
Despite a great start, in the ’80s and the ’90s, the Dodge Ram trucks were struggling to make a mark, especially with Ford and Chevy doing wonders with their trucks. The Dodge designs were duds, though the Cummins diesel engines helped because of sheer strength. In 1994, the Dodge Ram trucks underwent a makeover and finally started to look as good as they ran. From then on till 2001, the Dodge Ram was the truck to own. And in case you need a good-looking classic truck, look for this all-American stud.
7. 1974-1977 Mazda Rotary Pickup (REPU)
Via pinterest.com
Before you point out that Mazda isn’t an American company, let us point out that this Wankel rotary-engine pickup truck was solely made for the American and Canadian markets. So, the Mazda B-Series is almost an American classic truck in bearing, even if the brand was Japanese. Almost. The 1.3-liter engine still managed to generate 100 horsepower and redlined at 7,000 rpm. The base versions retailed at $4,000. Less than 15,000 were ever made, and despite a weak engine, they retail pretty expensively.
6. 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
Via youtube.com
GM brought in the Blazer, and Ford came in with the Bronco, but the real daddy of compact SUVs and crossovers was the Jeep Cherokee XJ, first introduced in 1984. The Cherokee XJ was different because it didn’t use conventional body-on-frame construction. They were unibody, meaning the body of the car, as well as the frame, were morphed into one unit, much like it is on sedans. Another reason for their popularity was because they came in two-door and four-door options, way earlier than Chevy and Ford.
5. 1999-2007 Ford Super Duty
Via cardomain.com
The Ford Super Duty (basically the 650 and the 750) trucks changed the whole game of the commercial, heavy-duty truck market. It was one rad, bad pickup that could do just about anything, much more than the upgraded version of light-duty trucks everybody seemed to be using. The engine was a massive 6.8-liter V10 engine that was gasoline powered, and for diesel, it was a 7.3-liter turbodiesel that churned out a massive 500 lb-ft torque. Thoughtfully enough, they put in manually telescoping side mirrors for the drivers to be able to see their tow well.
4. 1939-1947 Hudson Big Boy C28
Via pinterest.com
Auto companies Nash and Hudson merged to form AMC, but the struggle with the big three continued for them. Then, they became smart, took their Commodore sedan, and turned it into a pickup truck. And they got it designed by America’s first female car designer, Betty Thatcher Oros. Production started in 1939 but halted between ’42 and ’45, because of the war, till it finally stopped in 1947. The Hudson trucks were called the “Big Boys,” powered by 102-horsepower-generating 3.5-liter V6 engines, and if you get one, count yourself lucky to have bought a beautiful and rare vintage truck.
3. 1991 Ford SkyRanger
Via ford-trucks.com
Haven’t heard of this one? Don’t be alarmed because just less than 20 of these were produced. The SkyRanger was only a special edition of the Ford Ranger but had an extended cab, a 4-liter Cologne V6 engine, and of course, an all-wheel drive.
The American Sunroof Company turned it into the SkyRanger by adding the targa removable top and was all set to sell plenty.
But Ford stepped in and scrapped it all. A rare find indeed and bound to be very, very expensive.
2. 1978 Dodge Midnite Express
Via pinterest.com
Much like its rare red sister, the Midnite Express was even rarer. It was basically the Dodge Warlock with the same Lil’ Red Express theme only in black and the same twin 18-wheeler exhausts that Lil’ Red sported. Though we’ve broken it down for you, the original was still a very, very cool truck, considering it came equipped with the 7.2-liter V8 engine. Only 270 original trucks ever existed, so getting them might be a tough order, if not an impossible one.
1. 1992-2006 AM General Hummer H1
Via youtube.com
So, we cannot talk about trucks and not mention the Hummer. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), or as most of the US army calls it, the “Humvee,” was the next best thing to sliced bread when it arrived in 1985. 16 inches of ground clearance and a very well-protected drivetrain on a four-wheel drive meant it could tackle any terrain (especially deserts) at high speeds. So, why keep a good thing to just the army? In 1992, the Humvee was redesigned for civilian use and classified as the H1.
You do not need to know a ton about your car or truck in order to save lots of money on repairs and general maintenance. With that being said, knowing a little bit of knowledge about how the industry of car repair works can save you hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars.
If you are interested in learning about some of the best tips to save money on keeping your car or truck running and in great shape, here are some fantastic tips that you can keep in mind!
Study up on your owner’s manual
Even if you stop reading this in just a few seconds, please read this. It is crucial that you get familiar with your Scheduled Maintenance Guide. This guide (that will come with your car, or that you can easily find a PDF of online) will tell you when maintenance for your car is suggested. If you are able to pay attention to the guidelines they lay out, you will absolutely learn when and how to spend your maintenance dollars.
Buy online
Without a doubt, one of the very best ways to save on your auto repair is to buy the parts that you need to replace or repair online. There are a number of fantastic online retailers. They have everything you will need to make the repairs but you need to make to get your car up and running again.
what makes he’s online retailer so fantastic is that they often have massive auto parts catalog, so that you can be sure that no matter what make, model, or year you drive, you will be able to order the parts that you need click of your mouse and have them delivered either straight to your home or to the mechanic that you are having work on your car.
Find a great local auto shop
One of the most important things That you can do when it comes to saving money on auto repair, is to ask family members, coworkers, friends, or trusted resources online about what shop or local mechanic they use when their car needs repair. You will also want to find local mechanics who specialize in the kind of car that you drive, especially if that car is a luxury vehicle or a classic.
Another great way to make sure that you are making the right decision when it comes to tool mechanics is to check the work area of the shop. Things like dirty rags on the ground, And E fluid containers, and other various items and trash on the floor may signify that they are not as professional as they should, or claim to, be.
Spend money on preventative maintenance
One of the very best ways to avoid spending hundreds, or thousands of dollars on car repair is to do the necessary preventative maintenance. Jobs such as oil changes and getting new filters can help keep your car running smoothly for years. One thing that you should consider when you go into your local mechanic is to ask more questions that you may have after reading your manual.
If they offer you an estimate of jobs that they think you may need to do, be sure that they can give you a specific reason why as well as that it lines up with what your manual advises.
If you are unable to afford the work that day, you should instead focus on the most important repairs and then set up a budget and goal in order to pay for the others.
Research what typical charges for similar repairs in your area are
Another great way to make sure that you are saving as much money and auto repairs is possible is to compare the estimates that you have gotten with prices of similar repairs that have been made in your area. There are a number of great sites online where you can simply input your zip code and find a range of Fair prices for jobs that are similar to the ones that you need. Keep in mind, that’s somewhere between the lowest price listed and about halfway to where the upper prices are is considered to be a fairly accurate approximation of a fair price.
Look out for duplicate charges
The sad truth is that some mechanics may try to charge you for things that you don’t have to pay for. One of the most common is for mechanics to duplicate their labor charges . This essentially means that they’re charging you twice the Fairmount labor that they did to fix your car.
If you are worried about facing duplicate charges from a mechanic, simply take your receipt to another mechanic (ideally one that you trust) and see what they have to say about your labor costs. from there, you can let the mechanic know and chances are good they will take off the duplicate labor charge.
Pay attention to warning signs
After you start up your car, and you see that the check engine light has come on, get it checked as quickly as possible and drive as little as possible until you get it into a mechanic. the light may seem like a very simple warning, but it is often a sign that something very serious is going on in your car. Please do not wait. Waiting can easily result and extreme damage to your car and far greater repair costs later on.
Sometimes, do the repairs yourself
Sometimes, the very best way to save money on your car repairs is to figure out how to do it yourself. You will absolutely want to do a lot of research before you get started, as you could accidentally cause more damage than was originally there! Still, if you are able to make the repairs at home and order the parts to your home, you will certainly save tons of money for each job and over the life of your car.
Turned Down By Bring a trailer? The downside of the mighty classic car auction site
acc auctions
Online classic car auctions are the new trend in the collector car industry. Since 2019 a number of new auction sites have launched to rival the likes of ebay and bring a trailer. For years those 2 have been the authority in the online classic car world, but the introduction of sites like our own ACC Auctions is turning out to be a great positive for many who have had terrible experiences with bring a trailer.
While they lead the way in number of users and bidders for the moment, the BaT experience comes with a lot of negatives. As a seller you should absolutely explore your options when it comes to selling a vehicle by way of online auction.
I tried to list a car with bring a trailer but was turned down?
Being the most popular also means heavy volume of demand. BaT is said to receive much more volume of request for auction listings than they can currently handle and end up only accepting a very small percentage of listings submitted.
At ACC Auctions we rarely will turn down a customer who is wanting to try to auction their vehicle. Even with a growing number of requests, we are not going to stand in your way of finding a potential buyer. With our hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors, we believe that your buyer could be out there and it is worth a shot to try to reach them.
My listing was accepted, but now they want me to sell it for NOTHING!
The number one complaint about bring a trailer and even with hemmings auctions is that once your listing passes their “tests” and is accepted to auction, you then need to negotiate your reserve price with them. This ends up being a deal breaker for the majority of sellers because both sites believe they know the value of your car better than you do. They also do not care what you have into the vehicle, they will only run the auction if you price it at or below what they believe is market value for the vehicle. In most cases this means that the sellers end up actually taking a loss on the sale.
At ACC Auctions, we allow you to set your own reserve and give you the option to reduce or remove the reserve at any time during the auction. You know what you need to get out of the sale and we are happy to try to get that for you. Worst case is that the bidding does not get to the level you need and you can choose whether to accept the highest bid, or just hold on to the vehicle and try again to sell it down the road.
I finally agreed on a reserve price but now I have to wait 3 to 4 weeks for my auction to go live?
Due to the high volume of demand for listings this also means that even after you pass all of their tests and agree to their pricing, you then need to wait nearly a MONTH for your auction to begin! In the majority of cases this is impossible to manage, especially for dealers who need to pull the vehicle from public view once the auction is scheduled.
AT ACC Auctions, we have the fastest turnaround time in the business, we will get your auction listing ready and scheduled within a few days. Meaning that from start to finish the entire process will be done within 10 days of your initial contact with us!
I have another buyer interested but now that my auction is scheduled I cannot sell the vehicle?
In a move right out of corporate America, sites like bring a trailer lock you in to selling your car with them, once the process to list is complete. This means that during the 3-4 week waiting period for your auction to start, you cannot sell the vehicle outside of the auction. You also need to remove the vehicle form being advertised at all during this time so that they have the exclusive listing of your vehicle.
At ACC Auctions, we simply do not believe in this… This is your vehicle and if you happen to have another buyer willing to buy, we encourage you to make the deal. especially in the case where you are a dealer and someone comes into the dealership ready to buy your car, we will NEVER ask you to turn down a sale. Auctions are gambles, and yes you could potentially get more during the auction that you are being offered in person, but we feel that you should strike while the irons hot! While you wait for your auction to begin at ACC Auctions and even during the live auction, we encourage you to keep the vehicle listed for sale wherever you would like to. The more eyes on your listing the better, and we trust that while the auction is live or upcoming that you will direct interested parties to the auction to purchase the vehicle. However as stated before, if someone just wants to buy the vehicle outside of the auction, at ACC Auctions we say DO IT. with BaT or Hemmings auctions they say NO.
My auction buyer did not follow through on the purchase?
For years, the knock on auction sites like ebay and bring a trailer has been that the high bidders end up not following through on their purchase. So while you might get some great bids during your auction that result in a Reserve Met status, that doesn’t mean the car is 100% sold. And the frustrating part about this is that bring a trailer and other sites will still count this as a SOLD vehicle to fluff their numbers.
At ACC Auctions we have several safe guards and checks in place to ensure our buyers are ready to purchase and are serious about following through. We also are careful about how we post sold auctions. We are often much more involved in finalizing the sale between the buyer and seller and have seen a very high success rate with sales actually being closed!
FINAL WORD:
While ACC Auctions is not YET neck and neck with the level of registered bidders that sites like BaT has, we offer a fantastic alternative to “the giant”. Contact us anytime with questions about our process or to inquire about submitting a vehicle for auction.
The Ultimate Guide to Classic Car Storage and Maintenance
Obtaining a classic car is only half the battle. Obviously, buying one isn’t the same as getting a Ford Explorer or Honda Civic. You can’t just visit your local dealer and pick the vintage automobile that catches your eye. You need to put in a lot of work to find theclassic car of your dreams. But the work doesn’t end there. You’ll need to put a lot of effort in taking care of it too.
Maintaining your classic car is not just about making sure that your car looks just as cool as when you first bought it. There’s a lot to be done to protect your classic car’s condition, more than just keeping it indoors and wiping it down with the softest cloth possible. If you have decided to buy or you’re a new owner of a classic car, figuring out what needs to be done to keep your vehicle in pristine condition throughout every season can be a challenge. To help you out, we’ve constructed this in-depth guide to ensure that your car’s appearance and performance remains beyond compare.
Basic Classic Car Maintenance
If you thought a modern car needed attention, it’s nothing compared to a classic car. Below are the essentials to classic car maintenance.
Check the Tires
Make sure that your tires are in good condition. These can warp if a car is not driven for long periods of time. To prevent your tires from breaking down, make sure to drive your car at least once a month. You don’t need to drive far. A quick spin around the block would be enough to ensure your tires stay good. If you don’t have time to drive your car, you can jack up your car, leave it on blocks or a ramp, and remove your tires. Make sure to let some of the air out before storing them in a dry place.
Aside from checking the tires themselves, don’t forget to inspect your car’s rims. These are susceptible to rust and corrosion which can weaken the structure of your rims. This is not something you want to happen to your classic car, even more so if you have custom rims. Cleaning and polishing your wheels regularly can help prevent corrosion.
Check the Engine Oil
Just like a modern car, your vintage automobile requires regular checkups when it comes to the engine oil. Make sure that the oil is topped up and that there are no leaks. Change the oil and filter regularly as well.
Run the Engine
Driving your classic car is the key to ensuring that your classic car is always in good condition. Running your engine every couple of weeks is an option if you don’t want to drive it or if it’s the wrong season. Leaving your car parked for long periods of time can lead to fluids, seals, and tires to dry out or break down. When you run the engine, the fluids get to circulate while the battery recharges.
Monitor fluid levels regularly
Aside from the engine oil, you need to keep an eye on the various fluid levels that could easily cause damage to your engine. These fluids include the coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. You want to make sure that there is a lot of antifreeze. You also need to check the fluid levels of the brakes and clutch systems. Make sure that there are no leaks. If you are planning on letting the car go un-driven for months, you should make sure to still change the fluids regularly by draining out the old and replacing it with fresh fluids.
Pay attention to the battery, grease, and hoses.
Look for corrosion in the battery. Take note of the acid and water levels. Disconnect it if you’re planning to place the car in storage.
Some classic cars feature grease nipples which means that you will need to inject grease regularly to keep them lubricated and minimize wear.
Don’t forget to inspect hoses for external damage such as splitting and bulging. These parts are critical to your car’s brake and clutch systems.
Cleaning your classic car
To keep your car’s paintwork in good condition, it’s important that you wash it regularly. This prevents the accumulation of dirt and dust that could damage the car’s exterior. Cleaning the car after a drive is also necessary, especially if you take it out during cold weather where the salt from roads can stick to your car which can damage the paint, metal, and even the interior of the car. Make sure to wash the wheels well, vacuum the interior thoroughly, and hose the undercarriage as well as the sills. Don’t forget to wax the car from time to time to protect it from dirt, grime, and weather. Just don’t overdo it (every few months will do) to prevent damaging the paint. One last thing to note is moisture. Make sure that all moisture has dried off before placing the car back in your garage.
Pro tip: when you’re washing the car, the only tools you’ll need is a soft rag, a bucket of water, and a car wash soap.
Storing a Classic Car
Where you put your baby is as important as how you treat your baby. There are several rules you need to keep in mind whether you’re storing your classic car.
Don’t store your car in a location where there’s dirt or gravel as it can store moisture. Moisture, as we’ve already mentioned, can cause rust and the degradation of your car. It can also cause mold to grow inside the car.
Your car should be protected from extended exposure from sunlight. This can cause your paint to fade fast which can make your vintage car look old, instead of classic. The heat will also cause the interior of your car to “bake” which can result in the fabrics to fade in color while plastic and vinyl parts will start to become brittle.
In the same way that the sun is dangerous to your car, extreme cold can also cause damage. It can cause your wipers to freeze as well as bring moisture and condensation which can result in rust and mold.
Ventilation is key. Keeping your car windows slightly open can promote air circulation which prevents condensation. It also keeps your car from getting that musty smell. This is especially true if you use a car cover. Note: don’t use a tarpaulin or other types of plastic sheeting to cover your car as these don’t offer breathability which can result in condensation, rust, and mold.
Disconnect the battery. Even when not in use, batteries continue to eke-out power. To conserve the charge in your car battery, it’s important that you disconnect it. In addition, make sure to turn over the engine every couple of weeks for at least 10 minutes to recharge the battery.
Treat rust spots using a lubricant of high quality. Minor rust spots are inevitable with classic cars which means that you need to keep them in check. Regular applications of lubricant can help prevent the rust from spreading.
Make sure to inspect your car every few weeks. Look at the condition of the tires, if there has been any deflation. Check the brake and clutch pedals to see if there are problems in the mechanisms.
Fill the tank and change the oil. An empty tank is susceptible to condensation which can cause your fuel tank to rust. Keeping it full will reduce the chances of moisture building up inside it and make sure you are cleaning the fuel injectors as well. Changing the oil and the filter can also prevent premature rusting inside your engine. Make sure that all the other fluids are topped off as well.
Do a thorough cleaning before you place your car in long-term storage for the winter. Dust and debris that is left on your car while in storage can damage the paint. Dirt and crumbs inside the car, on the other hand, can attract pests. After washing, make sure to lubricate the door and hinges and block off the exhaust to prevent pests from using it as an entry point.
Collector Cars and Coronavirus/COVID-19: What Now?
As we all know, the world is throwing out some pretty unusual curveballs right now. Whether it be operational, personnel, sales, legal and legislative, supply side, whatever, there’s virtually no way that your business or industry has not been affected by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last several days, we have reached out and had fairly lengthy conversations with every single one of our clients and at the time of barking this into my mobile device at 10,000 miles per hour, I’m very grateful to report that we have not lost or been furloughed completely by any of them, we are facing no layoffs, we are 100% work from home equipped and we will not be shutting our doors in any capacity. That’s not to say that there still isn’t a fairly significant degree of anxiety out there for us and virtually everybody we work with currently, but once again it breaks down to what we all already know: We are extremely lucky to be able to play with cool cars for a living.
This of course means something completely different than what it usually does. Electing to pass over what most people normally think about when they assume they know what we do on a day-to-day basis, the thing we keep hearing the most, is the word “safe” and fortunately it keeps coming up from different places. Although, we all certainly do have reasons to be nervous considering the situation, here is a couple of reasons why we should all once again be very grateful that we are in the collector car business.
Collector Cars are Traditionally Financially Safe
During times of economic downturn, collector cars traditionally preform very well. They tend to be far less volatile and much less prone to extreme swings, than things like the stock market during bear years. Additionally, they also offer a level of comfort associated with tangible goods that is to a large degree undeniable. Want proof? Reference basically everything from 2007 to 2014, what things like American Muscle Cars did in the early 2000’s following 9/11 and what those altered demand curves provided for investors therein. Of course, this is not anything that should be considered foolproof. There are certain segments of the marketplace I would recommend nobody the venture into right now. However, if you stick with bread and butter, entry level or easily forecasted up and coming segments, collector cars are a pretty safe place to put your money when everything else is going crazy.
It’s Easy to Buy, Sell and Restore from the Safety of Your Home
This should be prefaced with a bit of an asterisk. As long as vehicle transporters are allowed to operate and the mail continues to run, you can continue buy, sell and rebuild/restore collector cars and acquire what you need to do so very easily. Fortunately, as with most things that generate extreme enthusiasm, the internet and mail order have been the gateway for many years to the collector car business. Many dealers are being allowed to continue to work in a closed-door capacity and deal online and parts distributors and manufacturers are still drop shipping and sending orders through the mail. If you’re looking to sell, in most circumstances, most of the more reputable people looking to buy or help you consign, already have very safe processes and procedures of getting your car from your driveway to their showrooms or their garages in place. Additional services like Bring-a-Trailer or any of the auction houses that are currently transitioning to online events simplify this even beyond that. This is great news for companies who have kept up with modern buying preferences and already have the means in place to accommodate. Couple this with the fact that people are largely contained and without traditional entertainment methods like restaurants, sports and so on available, this may be the easiest time in recent memory to reach your customer base directly and open dialogue. As complicated as this situation is, there are businesses that will thrive in this environment and the collector car business to a certain degree, is already equipped for things like this. Additionally, a larger percentage of people invested in it are more financially secure that in most other industries, which means they can afford to keep playing.
In Many Places the Collector Car Business Has Been Deemed Essential.
At the time of putting this together, and to my knowledge, only one of our nearly 50 clients has actually been shut all the way down by a municipality. Although it is recommended that you check your local laws and keep track of daily announcements from state and local authorities, we’re seeing a lot of collector car-based businesses fall into the loophole of essential, as many automotive based businesses are being deemed as such. This means in many cases you can stay open. Of course, in every organization, people are the greatest asset and by no means does this mean you should put your team at risk, but if you are in an area where you can follow proper social distancing procedures, it seems that right now, it makes a lot of sense to stay open, keep your people fed and keep things moving forward, at least to the best of your abilities.
Collector Cars Offer a Safe Escape and Low Risk Source of Entertainment
There are going to be economic consequences from this, I don’t think anybody is debating that. However, if you can take advantage of favorable conditions while this is going on, your recovery will certainly be quicker. We feel this especially holds true for large-scale internet dealers and parts manufacturers and distributors with available stock on hand. Again, there’s no sports, no restaurants and very little new entertainment being created and broadcast, so at some point, people are going to begin to seek ways to wedge themselves away from the social and streaming platforms. Fact is, it’s very difficult to contract things like COVID-19 while engaging in activities like restoring, working on/maintaining or taking short drives in your collector car and if you have something sitting in the corner of the garage, under a cover, that you haven’t had the time to finish, it’s probably starting to look like a good time to push that project from the maybe next weekend file, to the now’s the time file. As recently stated by a gentleman named Axel Catton in a Iso/Bizzarrini group I follow on Facebook:
Remember:
Avoid crowded spaces – Drive your collector car
Keep a safe distance from others – Drive your collector car
Do not use public transport – Drive your collector car
Expose yourself to sunshine – Drive your collector car
Avoid circulated air – Drive your collector car
Stay home from work – Drive your collector car
Maintain a positive and prudent attitude – Drive your collector car
This general type of thinking isn’t only spent on those helping to repair and keep collector cars on the road, but also to dealers. There is a strong potential to take advantage of bored impulse buyers looking for new toys here as well. If you have developed your digital channels thoroughly enough, chances are if you’ve got a small block ’72 El Camino or something similar sitting around and you put it out there, somebody is going to say to themselves “You know, I’ve always wanted one of those and I got nothing better to do, sooooooo….”. The audience is there right now, and they have free time. Are you capable of staying in front of them?
Sure-Fire Outlets for Pent-Up Demand are Coming
As with most “lifestyle” types of hobbies, there is a pretty heavy event/activity component to collector cars. Of course, we know how badly events companies and promoters are being hit right now, but many of the major ones are rescheduling vs cancelling. This means once the smoke clears on this, every weekend for quite a while is going to be like Superbowl Sunday, if you love cool cars. Should you expect a complete and immediate recovery here? Of course not. It is absolutely going to take a while for everybody to get their feet back under them and restaurants and bars will probably see the initial benefits of any immediate pent-up demand scenarios first. However, people will want to see their friends and engage in their passions again pretty early after the leash comes off, they will spend or borrow the money to do so and that should lead to a lessening of any long-term impact felt across the collector car business.
Again, I don’t want to pretend like this isn’t a terrible thing that’s happening and that it’s not very scary in both the long and the short term, but compared to a lot of the other little corners in the economic stratosphere, were in a much safer place than most.
PLEASE, everybody be careful, remain vigilant and stay safe!
Darin Roberge is CEO of Motorwerks Marketing and is a Marketing and Media Consultant in the Specialty Automotive and Live Events industries. Darin has been named a Business Trendsetter by Arizona Foothills Magazine, is a two-time nominee to Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list and is one of Sports Car Market Magazine’s 40 Under 40. Learn more about Darin at www.MotorwerksMarketing.com
Darin Roberge
Collector Car Market Expert & CEO at Motorwerks Marketing
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies.Ok, I agreeNoTell me more
Study up on your owner’s manual
You must be logged in to post a comment.