While in Scottsdale this year for the January auctions, I was asked by a client to perform an inspection on this 2005 Aston Martin Vanquish S being offered at Bonhams’s. The car was in the auction catalog with an estimate of $50,000 to $60,000, but that was before a disclosure announced on the car of an off road event that caused substantial damage. I checked with the auction office and there was nothing to support the repairs, service history, ownership, or even the off road event, however according the auction, the repairs were substantial. In any event, I went over the car thoroughly and my inspection uncovered inconsistencies in the paint and evidence of the prior announced repairs, however it appeared to be well done. During my inspection, I was under the rear of the car, when a group of bidders, led by a market expert and writer for one of the online publications, approached the car. The market expert was giving an auction tour of selected vehicles and discussing the cars, the market, and adding his wisdom and insights. In this particular case, the wisdom and insight shared was all positive on this one owner, meticulously maintained, perfect original example, in his words. He continued to discuss the market and stated it was a steal at the auction estimate and soon to be a $100,000 car. The part that made me chuckle was as I crawled out from under the car, paint meter in one hand, flashlight in the other, was all of the members of the group had bidder credentials hanging around their neck. Later that day, the market expert was right, and the car did become a $100,000 car. I can only speculate that his inspirational speech may have influenced one or two of the bidders he was addressing. The morale of the story is, inspect the car, the paperwork, the history, or have me do it for you.
I preform Car Appraisals and Pre Purchase Inspections on all types of special interest vehicles throughout the United States with our regular service area being Florida, and the Southeastern United States. I travel extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. If you are considering the purchase of a special interest car, contact me to inspect the vehicle for you. Our inspections can be performed in most cases within 48 hours. Contact us today at 772.621.2622 to discuss your needs or use our online Pre Purchase Inspection Request Form.
