RE: [Chrysler300] 300G manual trans

["John Lyons" <John@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Wayne and club,

 

The car that is referred to here is my car and I felt that I should let the
posts run their course before responding and/or commenting.

 

The $160K bid was real.I was the one standing on the stage introducing my
car and feeling rather stupid that the car was not there (as it was supposed
to have been).  The bidding was real.a phone bidder (who I spoke with before
and after the sale) was the high bidder and was ready to go higher had
someone in the audience advanced the bid (which did not happen).  The
auction company did the ethical thing and passed the car at that moment
rather than 'shill-bidding' it so the phone bidder paid my reserve.  Why
didn't I sell the car post-block to the phone bidder?  I almost did but
decided that I would rather have a shot with it live.that bidder will be
back.

 

A couple of clarification about the car itself:

1.	The car is an original mardis gras red car.
2.	I have all of the documents with the car.
3.	It is 100% numbers matching and correct.

 

I don't disagree with Wayne's comments about the reasons for rarity.whether
it is color, cost, or some other option that was odd, some just did not
sell.  Why didn't the F Special or the G 'code 281' sell?  Why didn't the
two-tone C sell?  Maybe no one wanted them..maybe the cost of the option (in
this case: manual transmission) priced people out of the market.  I can't
speak to the F Special because I am not familiar with the original pricing,
but a G stick car cost roughly $3,000 in today's dollars for the heavy duty
stick shift vs the 727 Torqueflight which was standard equipment in those
days on the letter car.  I can say that it is a widely known fact that many
'clone' G stick cars exist as does at least one F Special that was mentioned
right here on the server a few weeks ago.so someone must have liked them
enough to pay 'tribute' to them..

 

I am a purist and prefer manual transmission cars.but if I had to pay a 3K
premium today, I would likely opt for the automatic ..

 

I can think of another Chrysler that did not sell.it had a super powerful
motor that was impossible to keep running, a transmission that was balky, a
clutch that constantly failed, horrible build quality, terrible resale
values and in 1971, Chrysler (Plymouth) could only manage orders for a
meager 10 or so..it was called the hemi 'Cuda.

 

I spent the day yesterday with someone who is very very familiar with the F
specials and also has owned several period and correct Facel Vega's.he
indicated the Pont-a-Mousson transmission was a very fussy unit prone to
break down under hard driving treatment which is why Chrysler went to the
in-house unit for '61.  There was a long dialog a few months back in Old
Cars Weekly about the '60 4-speed and how one car kept coming into a dealer
in the mid west for transmission repairs.

 

The in-house unit was only offered on the 300 G as I understand it.  Other
Chrysler models received a medium-duty version that looked identical but
carried a different stamping on the housing and different model number from
the manufacturer.  I believe the model used in the G is the T-87 (this is
from memory and might invite a lot of chatter if I am wrong..).  the A 745
was used on many Chrysler family of passenger cars but not the letter cars.
Why would Chrysler offer the A 745 as standard equipment on many cars, but
as a $300 (1961 dollars) option on a G?  It does not make sense even for a
strange Chrysler corporation in 1961.  The $300 got you the upgraded T-87
tranny and a heavy duty clutch.

 

The fact is; either car, driven correctly, is a fabulously performing
automobile.  Finding one of either 'in the weeds' today is enough at this
point to generate significant national automotive media attention.  Only a
hand full of each exists, and one cannot find them no matter how hard they
may look!

 

Andy, you gave me an interesting idea when you noted the failed efforts of
the G at the '61 Flying Mile..maybe we could get a G stick and an F stick
together for track testing and see if one of the mags would do an article
(no, this is not a challenge for a race) with the track results...I would be
willing to have my G participate.  It certainly wouldn't hurt the interest
in these cars..

 

I do respectfully ask that this reply be posted on what ever lists the
original post appeared on (Chrysler 300 Club Intl and ForwardLook email
lists) because it called into question the actions and integrity of a very
well respected and highly regarded auction company.

 

Many thanks.

 

John

 

  _____  

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Wayne Graefen
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 9:56 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: [Chrysler300] 300G manual trans promo GARBAGE

 

The Feb. '07 issue of Hemmings Classic Car has a plug in its p. 100 Auction
News about a 3 speed manual trans 300G hardtop coming up at World Wide
Group's Houston auction next May. I have to assume that this article is a
press release from www.thewwg.com auction company.

I went to their website to send them a comment on the overwhelming falsehood
with which they are promoting this car. On their site, the car is presented
as "Mopar's Holy Grail!". There are NO email links in WWG's web site and no
phone numbers for the company. There are links to forms and nothing else.
They give no way of contacting them other than to consign your car or
purchase a $50 catalog!

In the Hemmings car/auction promo, it says that the car was "virtual bid" to
$160,000 while not even present at their Hilton Head, SC, auction in early
November and that "you can throw your value guide out the window for this
one".

This is totally ridiculous. It is shameless. This is auction company
shenanigans at their worst and severely damages the hobby when believed and
acted upon.

A stick 300G is absolutely no big deal. Granted they only built 14 but
because no one wanted them. A stick G has a standard 375HP engine. The
manual trans was grossly inadequate for the HP and torque of that engine and
probable to break. The only thing desirable about the particular car
promoted is that it is red, if you like red, and I wonder whether even that
documents as original. A lot of cars get painted non-authentic "Resale Red"
to attract attention at auctions.

I would hope that every reader of this post understands there is a great
deal of shill bidding that goes on at auctions. Bids with no real money
behind them. Phony bids. Bids placed by people who work for the auction
companies in MANY cases. I've watched many auctions in person and I would
estimate 40-50 percent of the bids taken by the auctioneer are completely
false and are used strictly to pump up the price until it meets reserve so
the car can sell or to pump it up to the level the auctioneer feels the car
deserves to sell at. Phone bidding is the most obvious questionable
practice! Or shill bids are placed by friends of the seller or the seller
himself! Most states allow and protect the use of shill bidding under law!

Yes, I could look up the company's phone number and try talking to them.
They have negated their integrity in print. I'd rather inform you of the
problems with this auction company and car so that you can tell your friends
and this car can miss its reserve by $100,000 or more with a suitable bid
for what the car truly is - just another G among many.

Be an informed buyer at any place and any time that you make an offer or bid
on a car. To not do so can have dire financial consequences.

Wayne Graefen
(Owner of a documented 300F Special with 400HP and Pont-a-Mousson full
synchro 4speed manual trans that truly is rare (1 of 9) and is truly
considered by many to be "the holy grail" among Chrysler 300 Letter Car
collectors)

Sent to the Chrysler 300 Club Intl and ForwardLook email lists and a few
friends

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