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Some of you know me, perhaps from posting on the PCS forum for 12 years now. That time has come to an end, however, and a little intro here isn't bad.
Everyone has that one particular coach that makes them feel warm and fuzzy, right? For me that means a '60 Crown Royale. Acquiring one in limo form has turned into a long term game unfortunately, so enjoy these twists:
1. Upstate NY. 1995? One picture was sent to me via snail mail after running a wanted ad in Hemmings about a '60 Crown in a junkyard with NO contact info for the yard. By the time the guy got back to me via snail mail also wanting a finder's fee for the picture, the yard had scrapped the coach. Actually, the yard told me the coach had been scrapped the previous year. That one was white over black, albeit with forward hinged rear doors.
2. 1998. An artistic photograph of one on eBay turns up. The b/w print was hand colored pink, so the coach has to be white or light grey. Coach was missing skirts, had limo tinted windows, mag wheels, and a broken rear passenger sider window. eBay seller was cordial, took the picture out of state while on vacation in Mississippi. By the time he found the contact info for the USED CAR LOT it sat on it had sold. Of course I left my contact information and asked to have it forwarded to the buyer but never heard back!
3. 2001. Sold my '64 S&S Park Row to finance the purchase of a '60 in SLC, Utah, owned by an aftermarket Harley shop. White (light blue maybe - lost the pic in an old computer), missing skirts, ran well, light bodywork started, no rust. Interior was in shambles. Had an agreement for $4500. Offered to send a deposit with the balance in a little over a week - when my coach sold. "Just send the money when you have it." Forwarded the eBay link to the guy in Salt Lake to check my coach out. He watched the auction, saw how much it realized, renigged on our deal - bumping the price to $6500, over what mine brought because his was 'older'. No thanks! A month later he put it on eBay himself and it brought around $7100. Grrr. Shot myself in the foot there inadvertantly. Hasn't turned up since.
4. 2004. Horrid purple '60 running that a certain noted hearse seller was trying to sell me. One excuse after another...led to 6 months! Finally got her on the phone. She didn't own the coach, which is why she couldn't answer questions or send more pics. Tried to use my money to front her buy and profit. I offered her a standard 10% finder's fee, not knowing location or price. The information was turned over. Then found out the coach was a mere 5 1/2 hours away in Louisville, KY for $3k! Called IMMEDIATELY. Number disconnected with no further information. Sent a friend that lived there out to look for the coach in the area. They had moved. I could have strangled that money grubbing seller.
This coach resurfaced in 2008, and was purchased unchanged by the same hearse reseller. She in turn offered it to me for a "discounted" price close to $10k. Without suicide doors and needing restoration? Pfft.
5. Winter, 2005. '60 near Grand Forks, ND but was actually across the border in MN. The owner was a farmer who had 150+ cars. Motor had stuck from sitting. Was complete, all glass good. I had sent him a $500 deposit (out of $3500) awaiting more pics/thaw. Old car dealer swooped down from ND and purchased 30+/- of his cars - and had to have that friggin' '60 as part of the deal. Farmer gave my deposit back. Not the way I do business however~
Last I heard the coach was on eBay and went over $9-10k, as seen here. Somehow missed it.
6. Summer, 2007. Dieter Obeji near LA had one. It was white over black. Rear side windows were out as he used those large irreplaceable moldings that held them in for another coach. Motor was either missing or incorrect as he was including a 390 from a '59 limo. The price was fair for a local sale but not to ship cross country. Plus it was a major incomplete project.
7. Fall, 2008. Really nice original '60 that has been on eBay at least 5 tims now goes on the market outside Chicago. I had a chance to purchase before eBay but could not come to any sort of middle ground. Pleasant owner wants $24k. Haven't seen that coach bring over $11k reserve not met yet...
Additional info on any of the aformentioned is welcome. Keep in mind that I'll *gladly* pay a 10% finder's fee if/when I buy one! Perseverence will pay off. =)
For the time being I'll enjoy my '57 and keep hearse hunting pre-'65.
Everyone has that one particular coach that makes them feel warm and fuzzy, right? For me that means a '60 Crown Royale. Acquiring one in limo form has turned into a long term game unfortunately, so enjoy these twists:
1. Upstate NY. 1995? One picture was sent to me via snail mail after running a wanted ad in Hemmings about a '60 Crown in a junkyard with NO contact info for the yard. By the time the guy got back to me via snail mail also wanting a finder's fee for the picture, the yard had scrapped the coach. Actually, the yard told me the coach had been scrapped the previous year. That one was white over black, albeit with forward hinged rear doors.
2. 1998. An artistic photograph of one on eBay turns up. The b/w print was hand colored pink, so the coach has to be white or light grey. Coach was missing skirts, had limo tinted windows, mag wheels, and a broken rear passenger sider window. eBay seller was cordial, took the picture out of state while on vacation in Mississippi. By the time he found the contact info for the USED CAR LOT it sat on it had sold. Of course I left my contact information and asked to have it forwarded to the buyer but never heard back!
3. 2001. Sold my '64 S&S Park Row to finance the purchase of a '60 in SLC, Utah, owned by an aftermarket Harley shop. White (light blue maybe - lost the pic in an old computer), missing skirts, ran well, light bodywork started, no rust. Interior was in shambles. Had an agreement for $4500. Offered to send a deposit with the balance in a little over a week - when my coach sold. "Just send the money when you have it." Forwarded the eBay link to the guy in Salt Lake to check my coach out. He watched the auction, saw how much it realized, renigged on our deal - bumping the price to $6500, over what mine brought because his was 'older'. No thanks! A month later he put it on eBay himself and it brought around $7100. Grrr. Shot myself in the foot there inadvertantly. Hasn't turned up since.
4. 2004. Horrid purple '60 running that a certain noted hearse seller was trying to sell me. One excuse after another...led to 6 months! Finally got her on the phone. She didn't own the coach, which is why she couldn't answer questions or send more pics. Tried to use my money to front her buy and profit. I offered her a standard 10% finder's fee, not knowing location or price. The information was turned over. Then found out the coach was a mere 5 1/2 hours away in Louisville, KY for $3k! Called IMMEDIATELY. Number disconnected with no further information. Sent a friend that lived there out to look for the coach in the area. They had moved. I could have strangled that money grubbing seller.
This coach resurfaced in 2008, and was purchased unchanged by the same hearse reseller. She in turn offered it to me for a "discounted" price close to $10k. Without suicide doors and needing restoration? Pfft.
5. Winter, 2005. '60 near Grand Forks, ND but was actually across the border in MN. The owner was a farmer who had 150+ cars. Motor had stuck from sitting. Was complete, all glass good. I had sent him a $500 deposit (out of $3500) awaiting more pics/thaw. Old car dealer swooped down from ND and purchased 30+/- of his cars - and had to have that friggin' '60 as part of the deal. Farmer gave my deposit back. Not the way I do business however~
Last I heard the coach was on eBay and went over $9-10k, as seen here. Somehow missed it.
6. Summer, 2007. Dieter Obeji near LA had one. It was white over black. Rear side windows were out as he used those large irreplaceable moldings that held them in for another coach. Motor was either missing or incorrect as he was including a 390 from a '59 limo. The price was fair for a local sale but not to ship cross country. Plus it was a major incomplete project.
7. Fall, 2008. Really nice original '60 that has been on eBay at least 5 tims now goes on the market outside Chicago. I had a chance to purchase before eBay but could not come to any sort of middle ground. Pleasant owner wants $24k. Haven't seen that coach bring over $11k reserve not met yet...
Additional info on any of the aformentioned is welcome. Keep in mind that I'll *gladly* pay a 10% finder's fee if/when I buy one! Perseverence will pay off. =)
For the time being I'll enjoy my '57 and keep hearse hunting pre-'65.
Lat I heard, I think Frank Redmond has her coach, and she is living in Oklahoma...
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