GTA Junior Prices/Marketability

[wmeastman]

Hi all!

This is my first attempt to use this forum. If I commit some social faux pas, please do give me a gentle heads up. Thanks...

Anyway, I have been thinning the herd for a couple of years now and have a ways to go. One of the next in line is a car I have had since 1986, or so: a 1968 GTA Junior Corsa. These probably don't trade hands every day, and my feeble attempts to gather meaningful data has fallen somewhat flat.

Thus, I figured that a group guess as to value might at least be a useful reality check.

This car was ordered through Carl Block Motors in Oakland, California by Ken Awes. It was prepped by Autodelta and raced successfully for a couple of years on the Left Coast. Maybe some of you old-timers have period photographs! [Is Sid Gage in here?]. Bobcor got the car, ruined the exterior with a thick coat of cheap red paint and used it a couple of times before it disappeared into a garage in NE Portland in about 1972. It has not been used since, but has been stored in a dark, dry, heated vault.

It was never driven on the street. It has never even been rained on. Absolutely, positively never, ever any corrosion of any kind.

Except for a couple of small items, it is all there. The red paint has been removed [very, very carefully] and AR013 white Glasurit paint has restored the original color. All the components have been cleaned, inspected, and rebuilt where necessary. Reassembly has begun.

Total mileage from new is 3,507 Km.

Though I have tried to keep it something of a secret, the word is leaking out and I have received several calls from folks interested in acquiring it. I, thus far, am reluctant to name a price -- though it certainly could be bought. The truth is I just don't know. I suspect that it might be one of the best in the world, but then, everyone thinks their kids are special, don't they?

Like I said, I am thinning the herd!

What would a skilled marketer do? Ideas? Comments?

Thanks,

Bill Eastman
Stumptown

[alfa-sport]

Please post pictures - they are worth a 1000 words or more.......

Is the engine the original with Lucas injection?

[alfa-sport]

......................

[smestas]

Bill,

Welcome aboard.

I cant wait to see some pics of this sleeping beauty.

[smestas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmeastman What would a skilled marketer do? Ideas? Comments?

[wmeastman]

Having sold my business, and being in the middle of a transition to a new shop, everything is in storage. The rain is coming down pretty hard and so even if I could easily roll this thing out of the garage, I would be reluctant to do that.

As I said, or implied, I am not actively trying to sell this thing -- yet. Thus, it is not assembled nor has it been placed in a setting conducive to enhancing its desireability. It is, in fact, in a temporary holding spot waiting for shop space.

I am afraid that it is something of a barn find for the right person. For the potential buyer, however, there is a fly in that particular ointment; and that is that I am reluctant to sell below a high market value. Much of the car will require reassembly before it can be gracefully shipped. So, I will factor that labor into any offer.

Having restored several dozen cars, and after running a commercial auto repair place for 20 odd years, I have seen a bunch of cars come and go. This vehicle is in remarkable original condition. Except for exterior paint, all the pieces simply need to be reinstalled. Nothing really needs to be restored.

Nevertheless, your point is well taken. Photos will apparently need to be made. Sadly, I will not be able to do that adequately for some weeks as there are other consuming priorities already in motion -- not the least of which is finding a new accountant as corporate returns are due in little more than a month. But, that is another subject for another forum...

I will make a quick snap shot and see if I can master? the technology necessary to post it.

BTW, it has carbs: 45 DCOE 14s, I believe...

Bill

[italcarguy]

Very nice looking car! White GTA/GTA Jr.'s are cool Do you have a chassis number?

[wmeastman]

The chassis number is 10559.775465. The manufacture date is given as March 12, 1969, and the delivery date as July 31, 1969. Since it was ordered in 1968, I suppose that Autodelta had it sitting around for those three or four months...

Bill

[Biscione]

Bill

Great car. You mentioned above that it was prepared by Autodelta; can you describe (photos?) what special parts it has? As these will help in arriving at the value of the entire package.

Biscione

[Insoc]

$65,000 to $120,000... That is the range I remember having seen GTA's move in this Century. I am sure yours is nowhere near the low end, as that is reserved for Stradale's, not Autodelta prepared GTA's...

There are experts who can tell you what it is worth in the current market. Below is an example.

http://www.oldcarpricing.com/home.html

A little reseach will dig up more. If you look at some of the previous GTAs at auction (by searching here on the BB you will find several) an idea of the value might be given. You also should gather all the racing history this vehicle has and have it professionally documented, that will only add to it's value and will be worth your time. This is a special vehicle and professional appraisels should be used to determine it's value. The best place to sell it would be at a Major Auction of Vintage vehicles as previously mentioned because people are there to watch or buy the cars advertised for the auction. Cars do not always sell for what they might be worth, but a sale is based on what buyers are willing to pay. Or advertise in a professional international journal of car sales, once a value is determined, a car like this will be wanted world wide. I cannot stress enough the importance of documenting it's racing history, this adds tremendous value...

I cannot fathom the mentality required to sell something like this... It would be so precious to me, unless conditions exsist that require it must be so.

I wish you luck, and beware of fly by night quick lowball offers of cash on this...

[kengta]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmeastman Hi all! Bobcor got the car, ruined the exterior with a thick coat of cheap red paint and used it a couple of times before it disappeared into a garage in NE Portland in about 1972. It has not been used since, but has been stored in a dark, dry, heated vault. Thanks, Bill Eastman Stumptown

[lowmileage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmeastman Comments? Thanks, Bill Eastman Stumptown

[hagen111]

I have seen a lot of GTA race cars sell via VSOC (www.vsoc.nl) in the Netherlands over the last 2 years...also a recent one. They should be able to provide you with good feedback on how much GTA's go for in Europe (for what it is worth).

Banks family is also a great source for GTA knowhow...www.alfaholics.com

Success. Beautiful car btw.

[alfazagato]

Max has just noted that he has a client looking possibly for £100k for a GTA, albeit a brilliant racer and well restored! 1300 GTA is a prettier shape... though less power, more wins etc, you will have to make a decision as to value!