Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Keeping busy with...
This year I opted to go to Bloomington Gold instead of Barrett Jackson in Orange County. Bloomington was disappointing though the weather was nice. There were only about 200 cars for sale at the auction compared with the usual 400 cars. The attendance was way down too.
The quality of cars was average to poor for the most part. There were still some exceptional cars for sale. I think this is a sign of the times. Maybe people are keeping their cars instead of taking losses in this lowered economy. We still managed to buy 3 cars. A 1954, 1972 big block convertible and a 1969 small block coupe.
The judging fields were busy as usual. This year they also introduced the muscle car survivor display which was popular. Hopefully next year things will improve.
Last December I was elected to the Southern CA Co-Judging Chairman position. A lot more work than I was expecting. My first meet was our local Chapter Meet at the Big Bear airport. Unfortunately it rained so we had to cancel the show half way through.
My second event was the South Western Regional in Sacramento CA. Our Chapter was in charge of judging, so I was very busy the whole show. The weather was great and a very successful show. 33 cars were judged and a fun time was had by all.
We took possession of our new building at the beginning of August. In 30 days we gutted the whole building and turned it in to what it is today. That was an experience I wouldn't wish on anyone. Trying to run a business and remodeling at the same time definitely took a toll on me personally as well as our business. Looking back now, it was all worth it. Everyone that has visited our store has had nothing but good things to say about it. I have to laugh though, every foreigner that has passed through has always brought out their camera. I guess my new found hobby of buying gas memorabilia is a hit. Check out the photos on our web site.
I am glad to say business is back to usual and happy to say doing well. Lets hope next year brings more of the same.
The quality of cars was average to poor for the most part. There were still some exceptional cars for sale. I think this is a sign of the times. Maybe people are keeping their cars instead of taking losses in this lowered economy. We still managed to buy 3 cars. A 1954, 1972 big block convertible and a 1969 small block coupe.
The judging fields were busy as usual. This year they also introduced the muscle car survivor display which was popular. Hopefully next year things will improve.
Last December I was elected to the Southern CA Co-Judging Chairman position. A lot more work than I was expecting. My first meet was our local Chapter Meet at the Big Bear airport. Unfortunately it rained so we had to cancel the show half way through.
My second event was the South Western Regional in Sacramento CA. Our Chapter was in charge of judging, so I was very busy the whole show. The weather was great and a very successful show. 33 cars were judged and a fun time was had by all.
We took possession of our new building at the beginning of August. In 30 days we gutted the whole building and turned it in to what it is today. That was an experience I wouldn't wish on anyone. Trying to run a business and remodeling at the same time definitely took a toll on me personally as well as our business. Looking back now, it was all worth it. Everyone that has visited our store has had nothing but good things to say about it. I have to laugh though, every foreigner that has passed through has always brought out their camera. I guess my new found hobby of buying gas memorabilia is a hit. Check out the photos on our web site.
I am glad to say business is back to usual and happy to say doing well. Lets hope next year brings more of the same.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Market Update as of June
My how time flies. I check my blog and realized it's been since September since my last update. I apologize to everyone for not being more attending.
As far as the corvette market, last year finished off well. I an economic down turn/ recession, there have been many businesses that have gone. A lot of my friends have lost all they have. I am so great full that even though times have been hard that we are still even here unlike many others. Many thanks to all for your support through the good and bad times.
Arizona in January was a good indication of the classic car market in general. After 3 years of hard times and up and down prices, I think we have finally had our market correction. All the auction prices finally reflected the real retail market value of classic cars across the board. All the prices were down, but at least realistic. There were a lot of bargains out there for the retail buyer.
Reports from my off shore buyers show that the export market seems to have slowed down a lot. Even though the US$ is still very weak in world currency, I think that the frenzy of overseas buyers taking advantage of their strong currencies and cheaper car prices has saturated their our countries with our cars. If you compare overseas advertised vehicle prices today for the same time last your, they are down at least 20%. A lot of their buyers are experiencing what we have and a have lost money on their cars.
On the home front sales for the first half have been up and down, but over all reasonable. The auction seen seems to also be steady and hold their prices. Next week is Barrett Jackson in Orange County and Bloomington in St Charles. Bloomington will be a good indication for the corvette market. This year I will be going to Bloomington.
In December I was appointed to the position of Co-Judging Chairman for NCRS, Southern California Chapter. That was a great achievement for me.
Since then we have had a chapter meet and 2 judging schools. We will be holding judging schools every 2 months in the future if anyone wishes to attend. We basically mock judge cars to help new judges learn the ropes faster. We also have another chapter meet coming up in Big Bear and a regional meet in Sacramento. Next year we will have the nationals in San Diego. Busy, busy.
Finally, I would like to announce that we are moving again. Third and last time. We are buying a building here locally in Costa Mesa and should begin our move in July. Check the web site for details.
Signing off for now.
John
As far as the corvette market, last year finished off well. I an economic down turn/ recession, there have been many businesses that have gone. A lot of my friends have lost all they have. I am so great full that even though times have been hard that we are still even here unlike many others. Many thanks to all for your support through the good and bad times.
Arizona in January was a good indication of the classic car market in general. After 3 years of hard times and up and down prices, I think we have finally had our market correction. All the auction prices finally reflected the real retail market value of classic cars across the board. All the prices were down, but at least realistic. There were a lot of bargains out there for the retail buyer.
Reports from my off shore buyers show that the export market seems to have slowed down a lot. Even though the US$ is still very weak in world currency, I think that the frenzy of overseas buyers taking advantage of their strong currencies and cheaper car prices has saturated their our countries with our cars. If you compare overseas advertised vehicle prices today for the same time last your, they are down at least 20%. A lot of their buyers are experiencing what we have and a have lost money on their cars.
On the home front sales for the first half have been up and down, but over all reasonable. The auction seen seems to also be steady and hold their prices. Next week is Barrett Jackson in Orange County and Bloomington in St Charles. Bloomington will be a good indication for the corvette market. This year I will be going to Bloomington.
In December I was appointed to the position of Co-Judging Chairman for NCRS, Southern California Chapter. That was a great achievement for me.
Since then we have had a chapter meet and 2 judging schools. We will be holding judging schools every 2 months in the future if anyone wishes to attend. We basically mock judge cars to help new judges learn the ropes faster. We also have another chapter meet coming up in Big Bear and a regional meet in Sacramento. Next year we will have the nationals in San Diego. Busy, busy.
Finally, I would like to announce that we are moving again. Third and last time. We are buying a building here locally in Costa Mesa and should begin our move in July. Check the web site for details.
Signing off for now.
John
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