Indeed, Mr. “Buizillia” has a good point. Posting the VIN numbers on our website ahead of time would greatly assist in potential buyers to properly engage their due diligence and research. Although we have initiated this practice of providing VIN’s in our Monterey and Florida Catalogs, posting them on the website will be something I will look into and will work to initiate this feature as soon as possible.
Mr. Xplantdad is also correct in his astute assessment…something that YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY, paceme and PeteLeathersac seem to miss:
I have spent a lot of time in this hobby in several high profile positions. My candor and honesty have, many times been misunderstood by my fellow enthusiasts but no one can ever say that I did not “tell it like I see it” or that I have ever lied to anyone. Sometimes people don’t like what I have to say or how I say it… I understand that and have made my peace with it.
It always amazes me how people try to find the “gray” area of things, particularly when the hardest one to be mad it is yourself. I have spoken honestly and candidly for many years about things that no one else does. I state the facts as I see them and render my opinions from my perspective. I don’t hide behind pseudo login names or hide behind the anonymity of the Internet. If you notice, I sign in with my name and sign my name to every post.
You may agree with some of my opinions, you may not. None of these opinions will ever compromise the facts. The facts of responsibility and obligations. Responsibilities and obligations we have by contract. Ones we have as fellow enthusiasts. The ones we have as human beings to each other. Or the facts that the idealisms under which we buy and sell these old cars are great until we encounter the brutal realities like re-bodies, re-stamps, forgeries, blah, blah, blah…
The facts are simple and trying to squeeze the “gray” area out of situations is the reason we have lawyers. In the many years I have been producing collector car auctions (and the many more before that with which I participated in them) there is not a story I have not heard. Most times, things get “twisted up” because some one failed to fulfill their duty. Failed to accurately disclose some relevant issue about a car. Failed to properly research the history, numbers, or documentation. Failed to clearly understand the obligations to which they were bound entering into a transaction. Failed to check the numbers. Failed to read and understand a description clearly. Maybe not for what it said, but sometimes more importantly what it DIDN’T say. But most often it is the result of someone NOT doing something THEY should have and THEN trying to blame some one else for it afterwards.
In the end, I produce the highest caliber of auction event I can possibly conceive. I have a great staff that work to provide the best experience and service I can imagine. I do this because I really enjoy the hobby and the people attached to these cars. I have been fortunate enough to have a nice collection that I can enjoy the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts through racing, shows, rallies, etc. I most certainly do not do this because I HAVE to… This changes things a bit I think. I believe it allows me the luxury of being more candid with what I say and in many ways infinitely more honest. I am not out to please everyone. That is impossible. I am not everyone’s ‘best friend’ nor am I anyone’s “Mommy” or some “Cop” of the hobby. Some folks like me – some don’t. And hey, that’s ok…
As Xplantdad says: “For good or bad… Drew just tells it like he sees it” – to me that equals one thing: Integrity.
I will talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere. I’m not hard to find.
[email protected] lands directly on my desk. Sometimes in my position I have to make some tough calls. Most of the time it is really lots of fun. And isn’t that what it’s really all about? Fun is the common denominator that binds us all. No one is living and dying over these old cars. No starving children in third world countries are being fed. Me, Craig, Rob, David, Dana, all the rest and every old car on the plant could instantly vanish tomorrow and no one would even blink.
Drew Alcazar