71 Centurion for sale

[scottrod]

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I've decided to put my convertible up for sale. I'll probably regret it but I need the room. Never listed on eBay before and have a ton of pictures that I wasn't able to add. Its frustrating because only the older pictures loaded. I have closeups of the problem areas if anyone is interested. This has been a K.C. car all it's life and I think I'm the 3rd owner. It certainly isn't perfect but is a good car that doesn't need much. I have the original air cleaner assembly and other things. I may jump back into Centurions because they are such a good value but I'd want a coupe next time. Too much time chasing squeaks and rattles in the convertible. I'm a little disappointed with the low price on the green convertible (Pottoroff?) on eBay. That is a great buy at that price.

Here are a couple of pictures I couldn't get to load.

[Smartin]

Are you going straight to ebay, or offering for sale here? If so, I...I mean WE would be interested in checking out some of the problem areas you mentioned:D

[Boscoe]

I'm a little disappointed with the low price on the green convertible (Pottoroff?) on eBay. That is a great buy at that price.

Wow, Scott, so you really decided to sell her. She sure is a beauty. I hope you get a good price for her. Maybe Adam's ready for another convertible!

Are you really that disappointed by the price for Potteroff's convertible? It doesn't seem that low to me. Yes, it's a low mileage original in showroom new and show winning condition, but without a/c and a tilt wheel, to me it leaves something to be desired in the driveability department. Besides, who knows how high it will go before the auction ends tomorrow night?

Even though your car can't match it on condititon or low miles, your car is still a beauty and, with a/c and tilt, should fetch a good price. BTW, now that I've bought one, feel free to start suggesting to Hemmings that they need to do an article on these overlooked jewels!

Best of luck with your sale!

[Smartin]

I'd be willing to bet we'll probably see close to $18k for the Potteroff convertible.

I did just find Scott's car on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buick-Buick-Centurion-1971-Buick-Centurion-convertible_W0QQitemZ120139283357QQcmdZViewItem?ha sh=item120139283357

[Smartin]

I guess I'll start things off:Brow:

[scottrod]

I'd be disappointed if anyone didn't check it out. I'm at my home computer right now but I'll send you the pictures I have of the problem areas tomorrow. Since you're only 3 1/2 to 4 hours away, you're welcome to come see it. I might even meet you in Columbia if you'll bring the Coupe for me to see firsthand. :beers:
Also, let me know if there are specific pictures you want and I'll send them.

Scott

[scottrod]

Are you going straight to ebay, or offering for sale here? If so, I...I mean WE would be interested in checking out some of the problem areas you mentioned:D

Ok guys, here are some additional photos of the good and bad. It doesn't look like this sale is going anywhere (thanks to my botched listing) but there are 44 people watching it. Probably 43 of you guys on the Forum and me. Oh well, I love to drive in the fall anyway.

The chrome is all very good except for the piece over the taillights (very common). The stainless is all there but will need to be removed and reattached with new clips to look better. The glass is all good. I spent quite a bit getting the RR regulator fixed and getting the glass to fit better. I truly don't think it needs anything mechanically. Starts,idles, and runs great. I'm down to the cosmetic issues. Some paint areas (shown below) and the rocker trim are the biggest issues. There are no dents or rust issues. Here are the pictures.
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[Boscoe]

Hi Scott,

I don't see anything botched about the listing. The only people who'll know the latest pictures wouldn't load are the people you tell. If I hadn't already bought mine I'd be very interested. In fact, I'm getting the shakes just looking at it [Hmm, how many silver and black `71 convertibles were made, and can I afford to buy them all? I can see it now, The Great Silver Fleet (with apologies to American Airlines)].

Don't despair, your car is beautiful, the repairs it needs shouldn't put off anyone who wants a `71 Centurion convertible, and the auction has a ways to go. Plus, there might be a few people here willing to shill for you. :Brow:

I'd like to hear about your repair of your right rear window. Mine needs a little help to get started when raising and lowering it. Our cars really are nearly twins.

I hate to see you sell the thing, but good luck with the auction!

[scottrod]

There is a small, plastic roller in your regulator assembly and it is very common for them to come apart or break with age and use. A good glass shop should have no problem replacing it and I think he told me they weren't too hard to find. I'm sure GM put them in every car they built for years. I had him align all my glass as they weren't even close to lining up with the top up and windows up. There was, and is, a little issue of glass aligment since all the door rubber was replaced and it makes everything a little too tight in places. I think I paid around $300 for the repair and other window work so it wasn't too bad and gives me a fighting chance at a car wash. I only tried it once with predictable results. Both the car and I were clean afterwards. I haven't tried it since the repairs.

[Boscoe]

Thanks for the info about the roller, Scott. You're braver than I am running the car through a car wash. I've been thinking I better be careful about turning a hose on her when she needs a wash. Actually, I'm hoping that bikini-clad high school girls will be out washing cars to raise money for a school trip like they do every summer!:Brow:

[Boscoe]

Just bumped the old girl up to $5,100.00 ($5,500.00 max bid). Maybe that will stir some interest. With the green and red Centurion convertibles and the off-white (Adobe beige?) LeSabre convertible on at the same time, maybe there's too much competition for bidders' attention. If it doesn't reach your reserve, list it again in a couple of weeks. List it over at the V8Buick forum, too. Not everyone over there is looking for a Skylark/GS!

[dewbers]

Hey Scott, what did you decide to do? I'm haping you're keeping her....

[scottrod]

Hey Steve,
I have agreed to sell it to a guy in the Carolinas but I haven't seen any money yet so who knows what will happen. He plans to send a truck after it but it bothers me that he hasn't seen it. I'm selling for a little less than I have in it but I knew it would be tough when I got the bill to rebuild the 455. We're in the process of trying to find a way for both of us to be protected in the sale. All I know to do is to have him wire the money to my bank and FedEx him the title. I know it won't go on the truck without a cashier's check here. Not sure what else to do to protect him. Any suggestions from you guys that have sold one???

Scott

[dewbers]

Scott - it's a leap of Faith for one of you. That's the biggest problem you have to deal with. Since you're not using eBay, neither of you is really protected. Unless you can do it in person, then one of you will have to blink. You can count in him having the same stress you are over this b/c he's writing a check (a sizable one at that) so someone he doesn't know! The best advice I can give is this: use a shipping company that will coordinate the transaction for you. Meaning, they bring you a certified check from him. You then handover the title and keys. If that doesn't happen, then I wouldn't move on this. (As a buyer or as the seller) Unless someone else here who is smarter than I am has a suggestion, I think this may be your best bet.
When I bought mine, I did it through my credit union to ensure I had some protection. But, I was dealing with a dealer, not an individual. Once I had the car, I transfered the funds from the savings account at the CU to the note and paid it off....... at least this way I there was a trusted third party handling the transaction.

Hope this helps!

Still sorry to see you sell her......

[Boscoe]

Hi Scott,

Would your bank agree to hold the money in escrow until the buyer recieves the title? That protects the buyer. Of course, all it does for you is assure you that the money is there. The buyer still has to release the money when he gets the title.

[scottrod]

Yeah, I suggested that and am waiting to hear back from the guy. I can't see any better way for both. My bank is willing to do it but we'll see. If it doesn't work out, I'll just keep it and start on the cosmetic needs. Too hot to take it out much these days anyway.

[Boscoe]

I hope the guy comes through with the $. However, if he doesn't, and you take care of the cosmetic flaws, I bet you could get a lot more for the car.

There's been an orange `73 Century wagon on eBay twice in the last week or so that I think would be fun to do up as a "GS wagon". It first a BIN of $4k and no one bid on it. Then they BIN was cut to $3k and still no one bid on it. It's supposed to have a Gear Vendors overdrive unit behind the turbo 350 trans. That alone is worth $2k. It needs some body work and repairs, but doesn't look too bad. If I had a place to put it I'd have bid on it. Take a look: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=009&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190131690190&rd=1,1

Like my grandmother from Bonner Springs often said, "It's too bad we weren't born rich instead of so gosh-darn good looking". Somehow, I missed on both counts.

Good luck with the sale, Scott. Have a good weekend.

[Robroy]

Scott,
The dollar is currently very low, if you will end up listing it on Ebay again those European buyers might go higher this time. The bad part in your case is the distance to the closest port to ship from which I assume would be Houston Texas.