My Ebay Gamble

[Bull Durham]

Well I had been looking for a 57 Bel Air for quite a while. I've wanted to drive it up to my firestation on a nice weekend day. I didnt have a whole lot of cash for one, but sure had the itch, and it was bad. So after scrolling miles upon miles on craigslist, autotrader, ebay, etc, etc, etc I found that all I could afford in my price range was nothing but rusted out shells (for the most part). So one day at work I was cruising around ebay and found a 1957 Chevy Bel Air 4 dr sedan. The car was complete with interior, motor, tranny, chrome, trim, windows, and not too badly rusted but had been in storage for a while. I look at the auction price and it was only at $1200.

Well I knew better than to get excited because it is an auction and it still had several days left. But I figured what the heck I will give him a call and just offer him everything I had and see what happens. So I give the gentleman a call and offer him $2000 cash ($2500 is all I had). He tells me that somebody has already offered him $2500. So instead of me upping the bid I asked if it was a matter of who can get you the money first. After a short pause ( I could tell that wasnt what he was expecting to hear) he said sure that sounds good.

So I very nervously arranged for the funds to be wired to his account. I knew if I got the car I couldnt lose money, I was just worried about actually recieving the car. When the shipper finally got in town with it I was ecstatic!

The only thing I did to get it running was a $40 fuel pump and a battery.
After going through and checking everything out and changing fluids. She is almost my everyday driver. I plan on restoring her completely one day but for right now, Im going to enjoy my $2500 gamble for the lucky lady. :beer:

Thanks
Casey (Bull Durham)

[tbm1949]

great story, I'm glad you were able to get the car. did it come with those wheels?

[Bull Durham]

great story, I'm glad you were able to get the car. did it come with those wheels?

Thanks, I found the wheels for $175 on craigslist :anim_44:

[4door]

Im happy for you, you got really lucky:) Man what a deal:happy0030:

[Wedwagon]

Casey....good for you, it's a nice looking car.

David aka "Wedwagon"

[T,s 55]

You got lucky! Nice ride.

Shawn

[nhramike57]

hi casey, ebay insures vehicles up to $100k against fraud..i've been a ebay powerseller for 8 years..bought and sold over 2000 items. my belair was listed on ebay with 40 hi resolution pictures..i hired a reputable appraiser to look it over and with his recomendation made a deal and had it shipped 3000 miles. i was very happy with what i got..the fair market price and the ease of importing a classic vehicle into canada.

[tjsdelivery]

Glad to hear it worked out for you Casey. I was expecting a bad ending to your story. Nice to see it was a happy ending. Enjoy.

[dnsdoor]

fine looking car bull way to go

[chevman57]

Casey it looks like you found a good car to drive around in. I`d like to find one about the same myself. Mine was that color of yellow when i bough it in 1978. Be careful or yours might change shades of yellow too.:D
Terry

http://www.trifive.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13045&d=1251160808

[auggie56]

Nice driver. :anim_25:

[trifiveshawn]

Great buy... i like it :D Enjoy it for a while before you tear it down... trust me lol

[the4x4pig]

Looks like you got a great deal.

[racsan2448]

Nice find Casey. I'm looking for a similar trifive to use as an everyday driver. My project is taking to long and costing to much, so would like to find a deal like yours. Hey what IAFF local are you with? I'm with local 2864 Abbotsford.

[Rick_L]

Looks like you scored a really nice car for the $$$. Congratulations.

[ricka1957]

good for you casey glad it worked out for ya. rick

[Jedi_CGB]

Wow! Great deal!
Welcome to your new addiction! LOL!

[Kiwi56]

Good Buy Casey,
$2500 well spent ! :)
Enjoy...

[MightyMouse57]

What a great return on a gamble, awesome looking car. You're not going to want to tear it down to rebuild after you drive her around for a while.

Great find, enjoy her!!

[bob p]

Welcome to your new addiction!

that's too funny.

[Bull Durham]

Nice find Casey. I'm looking for a similar trifive to use as an everyday driver. My project is taking to long and costing to much, so would like to find a deal like yours. Hey what IAFF local are you with? I'm with local 2864 Abbotsford.

IAFF 4017 :wavey:

Thanks for all the great compliments guys

[oldcarnut56]

Well done Casey! congrats.:happy0030:

[Geoff]

Very cool car.
When one thinks of what $2500 buys these days, you quickly realize that car is a killer bit of Americana and an amazing bargain.

Good job!

[mickeywestsr]

Ya really done good Hoss.....

[ProjX57]

Casey, you made a great buy, glad everything worked out for you.....:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:
What a Deal.....................

[traveler]

Incredible deal!:happy0030:

Looks good.

~Joe

[keith]

Thats about the best deal I have seen on this site for a ready to drive car in top condition.

Congradulations!

[chevy5557]

Excellent deal for a driver, I thought I did good with my 4 dr ht but yours looks a lot more complete. I know the anticipation feeling, I had to sell a car to get it and it took a while, luckily it was still there when I finally sold the car and had the money.

[carls 56]

congrats casey! :anim_46:. looks like a great buy. the wheels too were a great buy. ...............:confused0006: i got to go shopping with you :five:

[NSantos]

Congrats ! Drive it ! Enjoy it ! Use it !

[Gregs210]

Looks like you did good.

[Cuzz]

Just found this thread. Nice car Casey!!!! From a fellow firefighter (Retired) Local 1589

[finallyhavea57]

Nice find indeed! :moddhappychevelle22

Don