Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Non-Petro Discussions Non-petro Discussion and Showcase Bye Bye 100 Buicks

Hello China.
http://driving.ca/buick/auto-news/news/collector-classics-beijing-bound

Money talks...I guess.

couldn't do it.

Looks like he has the Texaco Ethyl lens I need up on that shelf LOL. Sad there leaving..

Having been in this business for over twenty five years, I've seen more and more of this. Years ago at the Chicago Juke Box Show, guys were getting upset at all the vendors who were selling to the Europeans. They all had full knowledge that the items were going overseas. I remember guys saying " I'd never sell out of the country," well guess what......you sell to customers' no matter where in the world they are? I have customers in Australia, Hong Kong...[China],Japan, Italy, Belgium, France, Great Britton, Finland, Thailand, probably forgetting someone...and our Best clients are our friends in the "Great White North, Canada." My point is that a customer, with money has every right to expect you to send collectables anywhere in the world. I refuse to be one of those guys that have the idea that our stuff should remain here. Why not give others a taste of the "American Past" that we are so proud of? As always, my opinion. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

You ain't kidding.
Those steel shipping containers sitting in the far back of the parking lot @ the Chicagoland Antique advertising Slot Machine & Juke Box show in St. Charles are always destined for foreign soil.
There was a time when we in the USA paid as much or more then foreign buyers,and I think that's when I heard "I will never sell to them" from so many.
But times have changed,and after a few guys have amassed large collections over decades,I agree.When it's time to sell,it's who's willing to pay the most,regardless of where that is.
This gentleman obviously has health issues to boot,so more power to him.

In the mid '80's American nostalgia was huge in Japan. They were buying restored gas pumps, jukeboxes, Coke machines, larger advertising and even cars. '59 Cadillac convertibles went through the roof.
I had some friends that owned antique shops in Orange CA and when they heard there were buyers in the area prices on those types of items changed quickly.
They would buy and send a container truck within a few weeks to pick up their load.

I remember that... In 1985 I bought my '68 Shelby convertible from an older guy who needed money to buy a '59 Cadillac ragtop before they all went to Japan. I still own the Shelby and added a '59 Caddy a few years later.

It's funny you mention the '59 Cadillacs Mike....when I was about 14 years old or so, my Dad took me to a car restoration shop located in Jackson, Michigan that specialized in pre-1965 Cadillacs. I'm not sure of the spelling, but the man's last name was Siciliano. At any rate, backed up against the security fence were probably 25 1959 Cadillacs. I've been a big Elvis Presley fan since I was little, so I always wanted an "Elvis" Cadillac. Even at that age though, the one that sticks out in my memory, even to this day was a primo restored baby blue 1955 Coupe de Ville, just a beautiful car.
At any rate, even at that time in the late 80's, like you mention, these '59 Cadillacs were going to Japan. The guy used to ship them over there for over $100K each, at that time. My Dad told me the owner said the Japanese were his biggest customers. I guess our cars leaving the U.S. is nothing new, which was my first thought when I watched the video. Maybe the thing that is bringing this more attention is that 100 are leaving at the same time to the same buyer.
Darin

Was a little sad to read this, as I've seen pictures of this collection online and hoped to see it in person one day as it is local to me. Dumb question but who actually expects to sell 100 cars to 1 buyer? Seems like an auction would of been a better format, but maybe not.

You have to understand how an auction actually works. The auction house catalogs and advertises the sale. All for a pretty good fee/commission.... Usually around 30%-40%, which is the norm. Auction day arrives and the seller has to deal with , hopefully, a lot of people viewing his stuff. Then he is subjected to the buyer's trying to get his items for the lowest price? Usually an auction average will prevail but after expenses, he would probably been better with a fair deal from a single buyer with cash? My opinion as always. Paul www.severngaspumps.com