Where to Sell an Antique Car
Selling an antique automobile requires more research and footwork than selling a new car. In order to get the best price, you should do your homework first---research your vehicle and the manufacturer, join historical registries, create a promotional packet filled with information for prospective buyers and keep up to date on the selling price of similar cars.
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Instructions
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Decide whether you want to initially appeal to local buyers or want to go directly for a national audience. Some factors to consider when deciding include the selling price of the car and how quickly you want it sold. There are many pros to selling to a local buyer, including the fact that you can answer questions immediately---and even sell the car immediately to that buyer.
Selling nationwide, however, presents your car to a much larger audience of collectors---and may find you a buyer who is willing to pay more for your car. This process may take longer. -
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Check local car clubs and car shows where aficionados and collectors gather together. Introduce yourself and leave with the group or show organizer a copy of your promotional packet. Word-of-mouth is often the best way to find a local buyer.
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Use local classifieds to advertise your automobile. Local newspapers and online, site-specific boards such as Craigslist.com usually have sections especially for the sale of classic cars.
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Contact a local auction house. Often auction houses, especially ones that deal specifically with antiques and estates, will handle collectible car sales. Be aware, however, that businesses like these will usually charge a flat fee or take a percentage of the selling price. You may also not have a lot of control over the minimum amount of money at which your antique car will begin its bidding.
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List your car with one of the many Internet sites that specialize in selling antique and collectible autos (see Resources below). Sites vary in what they offer---classifieds, forums, or specialized listings---and vary in amount of traffic they receive and how much they charge for a listing. Spend time looking at these sites before deciding where to list and determine if cars like yours sell there and the average selling price.
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Make contact with a classic car museum. There are hundreds of such museums nationally and internationally. Some specialize in a certain model and make of car, while others highlight certain manufacturers or decades. Others have a more general collection. But they can be a great resource to connect you with potential buyers. Some have newsletters or websites where they take advertisements for antique car sales. Or, if your car is a particular type the museum has been looking for, they may make you an offer themselves.
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Online auction sites, such as eBay, reach thousands of buyers and allow you to control the auction yourself. EBay has a category specifically for collectible antique cars, and you can set the minimum selling price and length of auction and determine who transports the car (if the buyer is from out of your area). EBay does charge a commission on auctions; the amount is a percentage of the selling price.
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Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.flickr.com/photos/redjar/
