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A Simple Fix to Elevate Collecting Cars
The Daily Vroom
Hey Vroomers!
A big welcome to all our new readers who hopped on board over the weekend! You're about to dive into daily content that covers everything—data, revenues, industry news, behind-the-scenes stories, and much more about the rapidly growing online auction market.
See you tomorrow,
Sam
Ferrari Thrills
There's an auction for a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta that's more than just a listing—it's a compelling story intertwined with a legendary car. This particular Daytona is one of only 33 ever finished in the striking Rosso Dino color, making it exceptionally rare and noteworthy.
What truly grabs my attention is the car's rich history and the circumstances surrounding its sale. It was purchased back in March 2023 for $755,000 by the current owner's late husband. Tragically, he passed away shortly after acquiring it. Now, the car is up for auction again, and the comments are filled with heartfelt condolences and memories, highlighting the impact he had on the car community.
I'm particularly interested to see whether it will fetch more or less than its previous price. Given its rarity, impeccable restoration, and the emotional narrative behind it, there's a real possibility it could surpass the earlier figure. This auction isn't just about selling a car; it's about honoring a legacy and recognizing the profound connections we have with these machines.
This auction for a 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS really stands out, not just because of the car itself but because of how engaged the seller has been throughout the process, which we think as normal, but in a lot of auctions this is not the case.
The car is a classic—finished in the iconic Rosso Corsa with a beige interior—and has been with the same owner since 1997. It's largely original, with just a few subtle updates, and has 57,400 miles on the clock, a great buy for someone.
What truly makes this auction noteworthy is the seller's active participation. They've been incredibly prompt and friendly in answering questions, providing detailed information, and making the entire user experience seamless. This level of engagement is exactly what a seller should be doing. It builds trust and gives potential buyers confidence in both the car and the transaction.
The auction ends today, and the seller's responsiveness could make a big difference in the final outcome. By being approachable and informative, they're giving themselves the best chance for a successful sale. It's a perfect example of how effective seller engagement can enhance an auction, and it’s great to see it done right.
Here's the scoop on this 2024 Ferrari Purosangue up for auction: the seller seems to be aiming for a quick flip, mentioning a "change of circumstances." Normally, I'd be skeptical of that line, but this time I believe him—he's already put 3,500 miles on it. If he bought it just to flip, he wouldn't have racked up that kind of mileage.
Now, about that Ferrari clause that supposedly prevents you from reselling within 18 months—we all know there's always a way around it. But typically, people who flip these cars don't do it so openly, especially not in a public auction where all their details are out there. The fact that he's selling it publicly and has actually driven it suggests he genuinely intended to keep it but now needs to sell.
So, if you're looking to get your hands on a nearly new Purosangue without the long wait, this might be your chance. It's finished in the stunning Verde Zeltweg with a Cioccolato leather and Alcantara interior, loaded with all the high-end features you'd expect. Given the mileage, it's clear the car has been enjoyed. This could be a great opportunity for someone ready to jump in.
Maybe, just maybe, I'm leaving the best for last with this 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT, and with the auction ending in just a few hours, this is one to keep a close eye on. The seller’s already taken care of the essentials, like swapping in brand-new Michelin XWX tires, but what really catches my attention is their honesty about those typical Dino quirks—especially the notoriously finicky oil pressure gauge. As any Dino owner will tell you, sometimes it just needs a little flick to come back to life!
The seller isn't cutting corners either—they’ve ordered new oil temperature and oil pressure gauges from DinoParts.com and even arranged for the new pressure gauge to be installed later this week. So, you’re not just buying a car; you’re getting one that’s been cared for by someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
This Dino was completed in March 1972 and originally lived its early life in California before moving to Florida in 2016. It underwent a full refurbishment in 2018, including a stunning Rosso Chiaro repaint and a fresh black leather interior. And here’s where it gets interesting—since that refresh, it's barely been driven, adding just 100 miles under the seller's ownership. It’s been kept in top shape but hasn’t seen the road much in the last five years, which means it’s practically begging for someone to take it out and enjoy it again.
Packed with everything you'd expect—triple Weber carbs, the iconic five-speed gated shifter, power windows, A/C, and those beautiful 14" Cromodora wheels—this Dino is as classic as they come. Plus, it comes with all the paperwork, tools, and reports you'd want, including a Marcel Massini and Matthias Bartz report. With all this going for it and only a few hours left on the clock, the question is: will this be the one to break through in the final bids?
Collecting Cars: One Key Improvement Needed
While the engaged seller in the Ferrari auction got me thinking about how an excellent user experience can make a significant difference, over on Collecting Cars it's not quite the same, and let me explain. But before I do, I have to say that most user experiences on the Collecting Cars site are excellent. They've gone through some big changes in the last year over the look and feel of the site, some of which I've mentioned here before. However, the one area that does let them down and hasn't seen any improvement is the comment section.
Now, I know their response might be that in non-US countries the comment section is not used that often, which is true (I don't know why that is, but it's just a matter of fact). Nevertheless, the comment section is stale, doesn’t look great and it's a bit unclear who the seller is and how the replies correspond with the comments. This is an easy fix for them, and even if it's a section that's underused, maybe that extra 1% of improvement here can have a positive effect on some auctions.
An engaged seller who responds quickly and effectively to questions can greatly enhance the user experience, as we saw with the Ferrari auction. It builds trust and gives potential buyers confidence in both the car and the transaction. By improving the comment section,(small fix) Collecting Cars could facilitate better communication between buyers and sellers, potentially increasing engagement and boosting the success rate of their auctions.
In a competitive market, every small improvement counts. Enhancing the comment section might seem minor, but it could make a significant difference in user satisfaction and overall auction performance. It's a simple change that could yield substantial benefits.
AutoTrader Auctions Catchup
We often expose the glaring shortcomings of major and minor auction platforms, and while many of these sites suffer from significant issues—be it poor design, mismanagement, or abysmal user experience—none come close to the disaster that is AutoTrader Auctions. I haven't discussed them for a while, hoping they'd have cleaned up the catastrophe that was their introduction. But absolutely nothing has improved. The site is atrocious, the user experience is beyond dreadful, engagement is virtually non-existent, and there's a complete disregard for the end user. It's baffling that they're still operating—it defies all logic. They need to pull the plug and stick to their core business.
In the broader market, this is a recurring theme. When a company is distracted by other revenue streams, the effort invested in their online auctions is pitiful. The reality is simple: if you want any chance of success in this market, your focus must be 100% dedicated to it.
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