Rockylguy
Well-Known Member
- Local time
- 7:55 PM
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2016
- Messages
- 102
- Reaction score
- 108
- Location
- Musgrave Harbour, Newfoundland
I introduced myself in the "Welcome" forum and indicated that there was a story to be told regarding the purchase of my 67 Coronet. First, I need to explain my location since geography can play a role in finding any classic car....population density, some places are more prone to rust, etc.. For me, growing up and living on an island that is larger in size than all but three of the U.S. states, but with a total population of just over 500 000, the number of classic Mopars (and other cars) are limited and for many, non existent. I know....I've been looking for awhile.....years!!!
The Coronet I now have was first advertised on a local classic car site in late December of 2013. I contacted the seller during Christmas and on the second weekend in January I made the 4 hour drive to view the car, and a 1972 Triumph Spitfire that was for sale in a neighbouring town. The Spitfire was in good shape (looking for my wife) but the Coronet....I fell in love and made the deal to purchase. I offered to pay for the car or give a deposit since I had to return with a trailer the following weekend. The seller claimed that a handshake and my word was good enough and he would have the tires inflated and the car ready for me the next weekend. That week my mind was filled with big block engines, 4 speed transmissions and paint schemes. On Friday evening I phoned the seller and didn't get any answer...I did leave a message that I was coming for the car the next day. The car hauler I rented was hitched to my truck but I didn't want to make the trip without confirming all was OK. My phone rings late that night, the seller informs me the car was destroyed earlier in the week when the garage it was in collapsed, crushing the car and breaking all glass except drivers door. He seemed sincere and apologetic, even telling me the dollar figure he got from the car insurance. Oh My!!! I bought the Spitfire for my wife a month later and then a 1964 Chevy SWB Stepside truck to restore.
Last October, while still looking at Classic Car classifieds, I saw what appeared to be the same Coronet for sale. I contacted the seller (4+ hours drive in the opposite direction), confirmed it was the same car, offered to purchase but another potential buyer was ahead for me and the car was sold again!!! TWICE I was denied this MOPAR!!! Frustrated and annoyed I sold my 64 Chevy truck in December and was more than ever determined to find a late sixties or early seventies Mopar. During Christmas I placed a "wanted to buy Classic Mopar" advertisement on the same site the Coronet was on. I included a statement in the ad that I missed out on a 67 Coronet twice, two years ago and again in October, and if you are the current owner I want your car if you would part with it. Two weeks later ... the email..."I have the car you're looking for, phone me at ........". Turns out that the current owner buys, restores and sells for profit all types of classics. He had just bought a 69 Imperial to get the 440 engine and transmission for the Coronet but told me the Imperial was too good to scrap' Thus, he would sell the Coronet if I wanted it....which I did and paid $500 more that his purchase price.
When I picked up the car I took a look at his other classics (four at the location with the Coronet) and had a great conversation. I had to chuckle when the fellow told me he thought he had a deal made on the Coronet over two years ago but the seller claimed it was destroyed in a garage collapse......who would have thought...!!!!!
I did e-mail the asshole whose destroyed Coronet was resurrected.....I didn't get a response but made my point.
Anyone else have a interesting experience when "Chasing Classic Mopars"?
The Coronet I now have was first advertised on a local classic car site in late December of 2013. I contacted the seller during Christmas and on the second weekend in January I made the 4 hour drive to view the car, and a 1972 Triumph Spitfire that was for sale in a neighbouring town. The Spitfire was in good shape (looking for my wife) but the Coronet....I fell in love and made the deal to purchase. I offered to pay for the car or give a deposit since I had to return with a trailer the following weekend. The seller claimed that a handshake and my word was good enough and he would have the tires inflated and the car ready for me the next weekend. That week my mind was filled with big block engines, 4 speed transmissions and paint schemes. On Friday evening I phoned the seller and didn't get any answer...I did leave a message that I was coming for the car the next day. The car hauler I rented was hitched to my truck but I didn't want to make the trip without confirming all was OK. My phone rings late that night, the seller informs me the car was destroyed earlier in the week when the garage it was in collapsed, crushing the car and breaking all glass except drivers door. He seemed sincere and apologetic, even telling me the dollar figure he got from the car insurance. Oh My!!! I bought the Spitfire for my wife a month later and then a 1964 Chevy SWB Stepside truck to restore.
Last October, while still looking at Classic Car classifieds, I saw what appeared to be the same Coronet for sale. I contacted the seller (4+ hours drive in the opposite direction), confirmed it was the same car, offered to purchase but another potential buyer was ahead for me and the car was sold again!!! TWICE I was denied this MOPAR!!! Frustrated and annoyed I sold my 64 Chevy truck in December and was more than ever determined to find a late sixties or early seventies Mopar. During Christmas I placed a "wanted to buy Classic Mopar" advertisement on the same site the Coronet was on. I included a statement in the ad that I missed out on a 67 Coronet twice, two years ago and again in October, and if you are the current owner I want your car if you would part with it. Two weeks later ... the email..."I have the car you're looking for, phone me at ........". Turns out that the current owner buys, restores and sells for profit all types of classics. He had just bought a 69 Imperial to get the 440 engine and transmission for the Coronet but told me the Imperial was too good to scrap' Thus, he would sell the Coronet if I wanted it....which I did and paid $500 more that his purchase price.
When I picked up the car I took a look at his other classics (four at the location with the Coronet) and had a great conversation. I had to chuckle when the fellow told me he thought he had a deal made on the Coronet over two years ago but the seller claimed it was destroyed in a garage collapse......who would have thought...!!!!!
I did e-mail the asshole whose destroyed Coronet was resurrected.....I didn't get a response but made my point.
Anyone else have a interesting experience when "Chasing Classic Mopars"?
I've met too many guys who've told me about the great stashes of cars, and then when I go to see them they are barely recognizable pieces of crap that should have been crushed 30 years ago. Most times they are cars that were wrecked, sold off by an insurer or tower, and someone drug them to their corner of the world and let them sit like that and slowly rust into oblivion.
