This listing was supposed to be a straightforward auction of a 3,400-mile 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1—a high-performance beast decked out in Sebring Orange and equipped with all the bells and whistles. Instead, it turned into a firestorm of comments, accusations, and a swirl of speculation about the integrity of the bidding process on BaT. Let’s break down what happened.

Timeline of Events

1. Auction Details: The car, loaded with top-tier options, was listed on BaT by a high-profile seller with a stellar reputation. It had previously been sold on BaT in 2023, and the car was acquired by the current seller in 2024.

2. Auction End: The ZR1 sold for $226,000 Wednesday, after a handful of bids with the final winning bid placed by a user named @clh0520.

3. The Comments Start Rolling In: Almost immediately, sharp-eyed community members noticed something fishy. The bidder @clh0520 and another user, @TheJingMan (allegedly his son), were caught bidding against each other, which led to accusations of shill bidding. The comments section exploded with speculation about whether this was a genuine mix-up or an orchestrated ploy to drive up the price.

4. Explanations and Accusations: @clh0520 explained that he had recently gone through a messy divorce where his collection of 40+ cars and 20+ bikes was put on the market. His son, not knowing his dad was also bidding, tried to surprise him by buying back one of their prized cars—the ZR1. The bidding snafu was chalked up to a miscommunication between father and son. While this was happening, other commenters remained skeptical, calling for BaT to investigate potential shill bidding.

5. Seller’s Reputation Comes Into Play: The seller, @1600Veloce, who’s one of BaT’s top sellers, defended their position and clarified that they had no control over who bids. They reassured everyone that their transactions have always been above board, and they noted that BaT was aware of the situation. Quite frankly as soon as I saw this note from the seller, I was straight away reassured.

6. BaT’s Silence: BaT itself didn’t chime in publicly, which left some in the community feeling a little uneasy. But given the circumstances—a top seller, a well-known buyer with a clear (if complex) explanation, and a sale that had already gone through—BaT likely decided it was best to let the matter rest and not keep the conversation going. They probably weighed that the sale was legitimate, the explanations were clear, and the parties involved were reputable, so further involvement would only fan the flames.

7. Community Divided: Comments continued to flood in with a mix of support, skepticism, and heated exchanges. Some buyers sympathized with @clh0520’s personal story, while others remained firm in their belief that something didn’t add up.

Lessons Learned

1. Transparency is Key: The main takeaway here is that trust in the auction space is fragile. Even the appearance of impropriety can stir up a storm. For sellers, it's essential to maintain transparency, and for auction platforms, clear, enforced rules about bidding conduct are non-negotiable.

2. Expect Scrutiny: BaT’s community is passionate and eagle-eyed; they don't miss a beat. Any irregularities, whether accidental or intentional, will be called out. Sellers and buyers need to be prepared for public scrutiny and, when necessary, to clarify their actions immediately.

3. Communication is Crucial: If @clh0520 and @TheJingMan’s story is true, it highlights how miscommunication, even within a family, can lead to a public relations nightmare. Clear lines of communication between parties, especially when significant amounts of money are at stake, are crucial.

4. Reputation Matters: The seller’s strong standing on BaT helped contain some of the fallout.

5. Platform Engagement Could Help: While BaT’s decision to stay silent might have been a calculated move, a quick response or statement can sometimes defuse tensions. Acknowledging the concerns—even if just to reaffirm the legitimacy of the process—could go a long way in maintaining community trust.

In the end, this saga serves as a reminder that the auction world is as much about the story behind the car as it is about the cars themselves. For every dollar bid, there’s a tale of passion, sometimes drama, and often more complexity than meets the eye.

Now, this is no ordinary Benz. This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL is a full-blown Trasco 1000SEL limousine, stretched to perfection and dripping with 80s opulence. Originally built for the European market, this car was whisked away to Bremen, Germany, where Trasco—renowned for building limos for royals, heads of state, and VIPs—worked their magic. We’re talking a 100cm stretch, power-operated partitions, a plush beige leather interior with heated bench seats, and enough tech from the era to make any 80s tycoon feel at home.

The seller’s laid it all out: this car once belonged to Harry Helmsley, the guy who owned a quarter of Manhattan, including the Empire State Building. It’s the kind of provenance that sets this Trasco apart from the rest. From Saudi princes demanding it be called “1000SEL” because it was twice as good as a standard 500SEL, to appearing in Jackie Chan flicks, this limo has seen it all.

Add in the Euro-spec bumpers, rare Centra wheels, and a fully loaded rear cabin that’s basically a mobile VIP suite, and you’ve got a car that’s not just a piece of history—it’s a legend on wheels. Current bid at time of writing is $20,000, and honestly, where else are you going to find a stretch like this? This isn’t just another limo; it’s a masterpiece of 80s excess, ready for its next chapter.

Here we go again—another car that didn’t quite make the cut on its first run and is now taking a swing on a different platform. This 1986 Alfa Romeo GTV 6 is back in the ring after topping out at $22k last time around, and honestly, I’m surprised it didn’t move. It’s got all the right stuff: that legendary Busso V6 under the hood, a 5-speed manual to keep things engaging, and a recent glass-out repaint that shows someone cared enough to do it right. Plus, it’s mostly unmodified—just an ANSA cat-back exhaust to give it a little more growl.

Right now, bids are stuck at $10k, and the question is whether the seller is finally ready to get realistic. We’ve seen this before: you try one place, it doesn’t go, so you give it another shot. But after this, there’s probably nowhere else to go, which tells me we might see some flexibility here. If the seller wants this thing gone, now’s the time to strike.

Enjoying The Daily Vroom?

Pay it forward by sharing this newsletter with an automotive aficionado in your circles. Your endorsement allows us to accelerate our growth.