Okay, so there is a little bit of the story I failed to mention...I sort of bought this car sight-unseen. You see, the seller posted the car in a magazine that is more focused on hot rods and European sports cars. As I recall his ad read, "first $XX takes it." I slept on it for a week and then I called him. I asked for photos and he said he would mail them to me. I almost fell on the floor. I realized that I had something interesting here so I went through my own PPI (now that I am an expert-kidding.) When the guy read off the exact measurements of the alignment and said he would warrant that he has not wrecked it, I asked him for the VIN. That was like pulling teeth - but I did. I ran the Carfax-super clean. I called all the area dealerships - got what I needed.
Now, I was down to dealing. He was asking the equivalent of a built motor with a turbo and a case of Two Brothers Domaine DuPage beer. Do I make an offer on what is already a ridiculously low number or do I just say, "I'll take it." I remembered a saying in my business about hogs getting slaughtered so I asked if I could overnight him a cashier's check...at full ask. He agreed.
Here is where it gets interesting.
I don't know this guy from Adam, he is off the grid (really, no cell phone, address was a mail center in a nearby town, would not give me any account info.) I ran searches on him and found a block he lived on (Google Map even showed the car.)
So, he gets the check and takes it to his bank. Not mine. The check gets stamped, "Stop Payment". Mind you this is a Cashier's Check. The money is already out of my account. I am going nuts about the money and maybe losing the car. Then my cynical side kicked in and I thought I was being scammed. Worse still, the car hauler guy showed up a day early and spooked the guy. I am worried that the old guy thinks I am some slickster from Chicago trying to scam him. Or, was he scamming me?
Not to be outdone by him, I do my research on the guy some more and believing that people are generally good, I cut another check and overnight it. And I insisted that he cash the check at my bank. Now, he has the cash equivalent of TWO built motors with turbos, etc and three cases of my favorite beer. I sit and wait. This time, I sent my bank the check via pdf (copy) and told them to have that much cash on hand so that my man can walk in, produce two forms of ID and walk out with a stack of hundreds. They comply and my car carrier guy is waiting at the end of the block within minutes.
Not done yet.
Car is enroute and I get a call from someone claiming they had a right of first refusal. I listened politely and point out that if they had a valid ROFR, then the car would be headed to them and not me. We both laughed at that and agreed to remain friends...but no, he could not have the car at what I paid. Besides, my first Cashier's Check was...wait for it...still outstanding. I asked the seller to cut it in half and put it in the little space behind the passenger seat. The check arrived tonight about three hours ago along with the car.
The car appears to be completely original (or repaired with original parts) right down to the kit int he trunk and the unused spare tire. The car is so original, the glove box light still works and the chime still makes a nice noise.
If you are still reading and are interested, I will take detailed photos and post later. Right now, I am whipped I am so tired.
- - - Updated - - -
Oh, and if you are wondering about those snail mail photos...they came after the second check was sent. When they arrived, I handed the envelope to my wife and asked her if she would do the honors. She looked at the photos and proclaimed it a very nice looking car.
She was right. And Jim, you are right as well. She is a saint for putting up with all the junk thus far. I just hope she never sees the above post...I sort of left most of those details for my memoirs.
