Barrett/jackson Ferrari prices

Went downhill when Alain DeCadenet left.

Lot 652.1 '88 TR $55k Hammer - didn't show it on my TV

 

The Fort Lauderdale Collection was displaying a miniature 308 GTS which looked pretty cool. The guy I spoke to claimed it was one of 25 built by Ferrari for VIP clients. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that?

Asking price: $55K

- Paul

 

Both the black and red were Testarossas. I went to the auction, and thought the prices were right for them. They were nice, but not supernice examples either. Yeah I liked Alain too, but since the overwhelming majority of cars are American, I guess they felt no need for him, especially with that nerdy guy with the black glasses. He really knows his stuff.

 

Cool Mini 308
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I'll comment on this car...because it was mine. Sorry this post will be long but I hope I can provide some insight about the auction.

I came onto another thread in the 348/355 section where I was going to comment. But then before I could, I read some posts that I thought suggested there was something fraudulent about the transaction. The specific words were someone thought there was a "rat". Someone else agreed. So I hung back to see if they would say anything more about what exactly they meant. I wasn't upset or anything, I just didn't understand the comment and thought I wouldn't get an answer if I disclosed the car was mine.

As I mentioned in the other thread, what happened in my opinion was two buyers became emotional about my car. I'll admit, I was rather surprised at the final hammer price. The buyer paid $60,500 including fees. One of the losing bidders told me afterwards that he saw me start smiling on stage as the bidding shot up. Guess I shouldn't play poker.

People asked me flat out what I thought the car would bring. I probably should have kept my mouth shut but I'm just not the evasive type. I told people I thought the car was worth mid $40s and that I'd be happy if it crossed $40 but quite disappointed if it sold in the $30s and that no one saw the value in the work I had put into the car.

I was told by some bidders after the fact that there were several reasons my car went higher than the 95 348 Spyder directly in front of me. I don't want to get into all of it because I would just be repeating someone else's opinion and I have no personal knowledge about the facts of the other car.

In my opinion, what made some of the difference was the time I spent next to the car during the whole auction. I stood by my car for 3 days (Wed-Fri) for between 8-10 hours a day. I talked to anybody who would listen about the car's story and was EXTREMELY honest, probably to a fault. Some people didn't want to hear about the work I did on the car myself and I probably turned them away because I'm just some average Joe who loves cars and not a name brand shop. But I wanted to be 100% honest and frankly I was extremely proud of how the car looked and showed. I am 99.9% sure the gentleman who bought the car is someone I had a nice time talking to earlier in the event and I think he bought a great car that I hope he drives frequently and enjoys.

This is my first auction, but I read and heard from seasoned pros that the car is sold outside, not on the block. I worked my butt off on that car every day for several months and I wanted to take every opportunity to tell anyone who would listen. Sure I could have thrown it on eBay or autotrader, but I didn't want to deal with tire kickers and low ballers for months. I firmly believed my car was worth more than the other 348s I had seen sell in the 30s and I wanted a stage to tell and show why I felt that way. It was a huge gamble. These are no reserve auctions. I just had to believe in the old saying at auctions, good cars bring good money. That was a good car.

I told everyone who expressed interest in my car where every other Ferrari at the auction was sitting. I specifically pointed out where the 348 Spyder was because I figured they'd like both cars and I told everyone I thought it was a beautiful car they should look into it. But every time I walked by that car it was closed up and dirty and no one was to be found to talk about the car. The car wasn't opened and cleaned until a few hours before it went across the block. Aside from me taking a few nervous walks every now and then, I stood next to my car, including eating my lunch there, to make sure I didn't miss one opportunity to talk to someone who may be interested.

I have to believe that had at least something to do with the outcome.

 

Why did I sell? The reason for selling so quickly was I found my calling in life with this project. I've always loved cars, but had a completely different career. This auction was very bittersweet. I loved that car, but needed to move on because I want to start a business washing, detailing, and restoring cars.

Why didn't I come on here before to talk about the auction beforehand? Well honestly, I was embarrassed. I truly loved that car and have been dreaming about owning a Ferrari since I was a little boy. My screen name "B4-40" was a little nod to a personal goal I set when I saw a Testarossa as a teenager and told myself I'd have a shiny red Ferrari in my garage before I was 40. Then my dream comes true and I turn around and sell the car in 3 months.

I'm not some high roller and I felt like a lot of people on here couldn't relate to having to give up something in order to get something else. I'm going to need every dollar I can come up with to start my own business. But this auction confirmed for me I should go after this dream. Someone, make that two people, saw that much value in the work that I did that they were willing to part with their hard earned money in this economy.

I believe in myself and my business plan and also believe there will be another Ferrari in my garage one day. I hope no one on here feels like I've been deceitful or unappreciative of the wealth of information you all provided. Sorry for the long post. I hope it added something to the conversation.

 

Sounds like you earned your payday : ) PB

 

Yes I was quite happy, but I was also quite nervous. It could have easily went the other way with the wrong crowd. I was mentally prepared to move on no matter what, but it was a very rewarding experience.

 

Very cool. Thanks for the inside look at the auction. My guess is that your business will be a success based on the passion you put into your car.

 

Congrat's B4-40!

You dont have to feel embarrassed at all. You did good, Your hard work paid off and you should feel proud of how you accomplished your sale. I think the bidder's must of been impressed with you and your knowledge of the car, and being honest and genuine is easy to see.

Good luck on your new business venture and I hope you make a lot of dough to get yourself into another Fcar very soon.

By the way how many miles did she have?

Cheers!

 

Thank you. Some people who know me and how much time I like to spend on the little details think there won't be enough people who are willing to pay for the extra time it takes to go above and beyond average service. This experience has shown me they are out there. I guess I'll find out whether or not there are enough to support a business!

 

Thank you! I've been dreading these first posts and the reaction I would get. I felt like I was telling a girlfriend I cheated on her.

My car had 27,608 (or so when it crossed the block, but who was counting?)

The 95 Spyder in front of me had roughly 10k less from what I remember.

 

This tread has that "good feeling" that makes me come back to this "favorite" on my computter.B4-40,with your work ethic you will fine success,I have no doubt.Thanks for sharing.

 

I hope everyone isn't getting annoyed with me kicking this thread back to the top every time I hit reply to say "thank you"...but thank you again for your kind words.

Now I feel silly for expecting a negative reaction.

 

Hi B4-40,

Attention to detail makes a world of difference in the Ferrari market, you are the sort of person who goes too great lengths to show this!

I hope you and your business get all the success you deserve in the future.

Best regards,
Phil.

 

Well sold, probably due to bidders getting good vibes from the owner.

 

Thank you Phil. Sorry for hiding behind a screen name, my name is Tom.

"Attention to Details" is a great business name. I'm actually flying out west for a week to train with a man who uses that business name. I'm hoping to learn the business from one of the best.

You all have been very kind. I should probably stop replying to each comment. Let me just say a big THANK YOU for all your encouraging words.

 

Agree, your effort made all the difference in the world, thanks for letting us have an insight as to the workings of the auction.

 

Thanks for sharing!!!


PDG

 

Thanks again for the compliments everyone. I thought I'd share an interesting little update. The buyer just called me. I could tell right away it was someone I had talked to for a long time just by his voice.

Turns out he came by on one of the first days, well before the car actually sold. I remember him clearly because he was taller than me and we talked about him probably not fitting too well in the car. Even though I thought it would be the end of his interest, I encouraged him to get in and see how it felt.

Well it was a tight fit and he didn't look to comfortable, with his knees against the wheel. My first thought was what a shame, he really seemed like someone who would have enjoyed the car. Then I remembered the targa took up some room and asked him if he wanted to try it without the top in back. That extra room made all the difference to him.

We probably talked for an hour about everything I had done to the car and all the things I had learned on websites like this and my348.com. We started it up and sat there listening to sound of the exhaust at one point. I told him all the good and the bad that I knew about the model and I encouraged him to log on and get involved.

This gentleman is a hard core collector. My car was just one of the many he bought. But he drives them all and I love it! It is probably not my place to divulge all the cars he bought that day, but let's just say he went home with some of the gems of that auction. He still seemed thrilled with his purchase and excited to add the Ferrari to his collection. I'm sad to see it go, but it definitely went to a good home.

On a related note, somone cracked a piece of my ashtray cover off while I was there. Probably one of the auction employees making sure I didn't leave anything in the vehicle. I know they are flimsy and I had done my best to reinforce the cracks, but apparently I didn't do enough. The buyer hasn't received the car yet and I'd like to send him a new ashtray before he sees it so the vehicle is in the same condition it was when he sat in it. I'm having trouble with Ricambi's site. I thought there was a dropdown menu by vehicle? Would anyone happen to know how I can navigate that site to get a new ashtray for the buyer quickly?

Thanks, Tom