Smith Cadillac Collection Auction in Longview, Texas

[G Pennington]

No personal interest.
200+ Cadillacs, mostly 50s.  Most are parts cars; he does have a 58 Brougham that looks restorable.

http://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/auction/the-smith-cadillac-collection-auction/

[Chuck Swanson]

FYI, this is today.  You can bid on some stuff online.  Chuck

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

The 1958 Eldorado Brougham went for $36,000......looks like somebody got a decent deal.......

http://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/catalog/?auction=2189

Mike

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Don't people know that no matter how rich the owner is, rust is still rust? Neglect is still neglect? How many wives are going to sleep tonight (alone) after saying, "You paid HOW MUCH for that?"

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Don't people know that no matter how rich the owner is, rust is still rust? Neglect is still neglect? How many wives are going to sleep tonight (alone) after saying, "You paid HOW MUCH for that?"

Boy, I distinctly remember the Customs and Quarantine Officers utter those exact words when they opened up one of my containers years ago following a buying trip.

Bruce.

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

yep these would have been alot better.......

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/cadillac-eldorado-broughams/6564482764.html

$36K wasn't bad.....

Mike

[D.Smith]

I wanted to go to the auction but I didn't get my tetanus shot in time.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Probably a lot of Queen Snakes and Gully Cats lurking around as well... When I first saw what became the '41 pickup truck there was a "Queen Snake" skin resting on the rear bumper valance. I looked at the car very carefully.

[BJM]

In my opinion those auctions are fun to go to.  Whether I bid or not, it's finally live action that results in a sale.  While some may see emotions get involved and raise the price, typically most folks bid with their heads so results are reflective of true market value.  Unlike - craigs list finds we see where the seller is fishing and puts a way too high price out there or silly reserve auctions on ebay.

Plus it's just fun.  I usually end up talking to folks, providing advice when I hear a question thrown out or a statement that's not right. 

Also, I find it interesting to see what pops up a few weeks or months later on CL.  I went to an auction 18 months ago where I waited to bid on a 1920 Buick touring and passed over several 60's boat convertibles that went very cheap, lots of Corvairs, and some Opel GT's at give away crusher prices. 

I did not get the Buick, and could kick myself for waiting and passing.  I have not seen ANY of those cars on CL or for sale.  They have disappeared off the radar, which may be good. 

Will these cars that are restorable in the Texas auction gets restored or will they pop up months later?

[M. Bankes]

There are already several of them for re-sale on e-bay....

[Chuck Swanson]

Yeah and a lot were saved by Browne Auto Salvage in TX   I believe he bought 34.   Chuck

[BJM]

That's all sad and I believe - commentary on the state of the RESTORATION hobby and old car hobby circa 2018.

R.I.P. 

[Chuck Swanson]

Bryan, not sure what you mean.  Hardly any were crushed and hardly any parts crushed.  The guy selling was retiring.  Many of these stories end with the vehicles going to crusher.  My chrome guy attended and he said it was a buying frenzy.  Hardly anything was going to crushers except those parts that were way beyond repair (as he said at end of auction).  Only scraps were left, so good news.  He got tons of bumper cores too, vs them being scrapped.   Also, Browne's Auto Salvage is not crushing, they sell the parts off of the cars they bought.  Chuck

[BJM]

Well that’s good Chuck.  Most auctions have a starting bid which is determined by the price the local crusher will pay.   

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

I really thought the Eldorado Brougham was going to go for $40K plus so I laid off it and put in a really decent online bid on the 1953 Skylark.

Well I got run over on the Skylark.........it sold for $40K and the Brougham sold for $36K......coulda...woulda...shoulda stayed on the Eldorado............I wish I could have that one back again.

Mike 

[BJM]

Mike
That happens.  I always figured the money would run out in these auctions on early cars.  So I too would wait and see interesting cars purchased.