Selling a kit car.......

[Danny_HUFC]

Ive built a few kit cars on and off for the last 10 year and never lost any money on 1 yet. Infact the 1st 1 I sold I made almost £10,000 on! (One of the 1st Ferrari 360 spider replicas before DNA where about! Think it was a dynamic performance kit.) Anyway, I've normally went down the route of trying to replicate a car as much as possible and now with my kobra I think I've messed up! I tried to stay away from the classic style cobra and make a more unique modern look which I think I've done ok?! But as for selling it? Doesnt seem anyone is interested!
I've have it advertised on and off the past few month around the £12k mark hoping for close to £10k. Had a little interest but nothing much materialised from anything. I tried it on trusty ebay the other week and set the reserve to what it cost me to build. The car only made £5,300 at auction! I've jut tried it again and it did make a better £7,550. But still a little shy from my reserve.
Now I'm not in no real rush to sell it but in all honesty, I've lost interest in the car and would just settle for my money back!
Idealy the car should have small classic style cobra whees and big tyres and be painted blue with the stripes. I havnt done that! So what now?
Whats my best option for selling?
Should I be looking at changing the wheels? I could probibly do this at no cost as what I would pay for new wheels (2nd hand) I would get back off selling the 1s thats on.
What else can be done? I'd like to hear your thoughts even if its some harsh criticism. Go for it!

Thanks! Danny

[WorldClassAccident]

Paint it blue and add stripes?

Sorry, slightly tongue in cheek.

You need to think what you plan to do with the car after you have built it - yes, i know it is too late now - but you are a serial builder rather than a one-off building your dream (what I did). If you are building to sell then you have to build what sells. Blue for Cobra, Red for Ferrari etc.

I reckon your best bet is to drag it around the car shows with a for Sale on it*. When people actually see it then they will 'get it'. When you are just looking at photos on eBay it disappears behind all the others.

Another ploy is to ask questions about how to sell the car on as many relevant forums as possible. That way, all the people who are interested in that type of car will look at it, assess it more than a simple advert and either give advice or make an offer.

My 2 pence worth. Good luck

*mine didn't sell when parked at Beaulieu autojumble witha £20K asking price so this may not always work

[Paul L]

Danny - Why not try a specialist garage who would sell it for you on a commission basis?

E.g.

http://www.totalheadturners.com/

I think seeing a car in a showroom full of other nice cars makes it look better.
( More at "home" so to speak. )



Also if there are other "traditional" Cobra replicas there, yours would stand out as being unique.

Good luck, Paul.

[Lucky@LeMans]

Ebay probably isn't the place , everyone is looking for bargains so not the place for a one off. I would think you could try some of the "Classic Car" mags or shows ( bit late now ). Some cars I've sold over the years have gone in a matter of days , some a year or more . I would think your car Kobra might appeal to the Retro Classic Magazine fans, namely modified classic cars.

[Roadster]

Danny - the kobra looks great but Ebay isn't the place to find its next owner.
Maybe Pistonheads or Car and Classic.co.uk

Its going to go to someone that has never thought of a kitcar and just wants a toy.

[Jaguartvr]

I think you are right that most Cobra purchasers are after blue with white stripes and lots of chrome.
I think the Tribute version appeals to people who want an easy budget build with no IVA. When it comes to reselling i'm afraid I can't see them getting anywhere near a decent Cobra kit.
However as yours is different you may well be lucky but will have to wait for the right buyer.
Ebay is a great place to sell, sell as a classified advert with the price you want and put no offers. Auctions never get a decent price unless it is extremely rare and desirable.


I would fit a black mesh grill, it sort of looks unfinished without one and that could put a buyer off. Good luck.