[Healeys] [O/T] Beverly Hills Car Club

[Bob Spidell]

"... BHCC did exactly what I feared they would do:  quit advertising the 
VINs ..."

Doesn't speak well for the company. It also means buyers of used cars 
would do well to get the VIN for a car before laying down the cash. I 
don't know if LE reports the VIN of stolen cars to the DMV, but it seems 
like an easy way to cut down on car theft. But, from what I hear, 
'desirable' cars--Camrys, Priuses, etc.--are headed to a chop shop 
before the owner even knows it's gone. Exotics are on a boat to Russia.

CA used to provide the ownership records of cars for a small fee ($5 
IIRC). My dad always kicked himself in the butt for not springing $5 for 
the provenance of his '65 Mustang, which was bought new by Alice 
Faye--old time singer/movie star; sold to 'Mrs. Phil Harris' (he did 
have the sales receipt)--before the DMV quit providing the service. 
These days, you can get at least some of a car's history from CarFax or 
similar.


On 8/8/2022 4:30 AM, BJ8Healeys via Healeys wrote:
>
> Austin-Healeys are not mentioned in the story, but there is one 
> particular one involved.
>
> In 2006, a previous owner of HBJ8L/40136 sent me an inquiry into 
> whether I had any record of the car.  I did not.  He said it had been 
> stolen from him in 1970 and never recovered and he was searching for 
> it.   I put the car into the BJ8 Registry with the note about its 
> history and the contact info for the victim.  In 2012, I saw it come 
> up for sale on BHCC and notified him.
>
> I requested that in his efforts to recover the car from BHCC that he 
> not mention the BJ8 Registry or my name.  BHCC had been very 
> accommodating to me with info about BJ8s they were offering up to that 
> point, and I did not want them to quit advertising the VINs of the 
> BJ8s they had for sale.
>
> He was successful in recovering the car, and BHCC did exactly what I 
> feared they would do:  quit advertising the VINs.
>
> Steve Byers
>
> HBJ8L/36666
>
> BJ8 Registry
>
> AHCA Delegate at Large
>
> Havelock, NC   USA
>
> *From:*Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] *On Behalf Of 
> *Ray Juncal via Healeys
> *Sent:* Sunday, August 7, 2022 8:12 PM
> *To:* Bob Spidell; Richard Collins
> *Cc:* Healeys
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] [O/T] Beverly Hills Car Club
>
> Funny thing, there was just an article in the front section of the 
> Sunday L. A. Times news paper today. It was kinder than the Jalopnick 
> piece but said be careful.
>
> I did a survey there for an Australian buyer a few years ago. They 
> were very accommodating and put the car on a lift and I got a thorough 
> look. The test ride was brief as the brakes were marginal and the 
> engine was very rough. I did get through all the gears and a listen to 
> the rear end. It was not a drive it home car. The car was destined for 
> a complete restoration so matching numbers and frame and body 
> condition were more important.. I didn't know the price he was quoted 
> but I thought the buyer would get more for his money through one of 
> the clubs. After the survey the buyer made the deal and BHCC arranged 
> the shipping. I think he knew what he was getting and got what he 
> expected.
>
> NOTE: "Never buy a pig in a poke." You or a trusted advisor should 
> take a hard look at a car before you make the deal. BHCC is just like 
> the want adds or a used car lot sometimes good sometimes not. It's up 
> to you to make sure what you are getting or no bitching later.
>
> That's my.....
>
> Inline image
>
> http://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=c16e98ca-641a-4324-8c9e-073cb3f400dc
>
>
>
>
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