Market Insights, ICON's Chevy & A Very Special Jaguar

πŸ‘€ PLUS: My latest opinion on what's going wrong with Hagerty

The Daily Vroom


Energized and ready to roll, Vroomers! ✨

Today, I've decided to switch gears. Typically, I'm pouring over 1500-3000 words, but today was set for a brisk sub-1000 word narrative. That was until a standout car piqued my interest at 11.30 in the evening!

What are you doing at 11.30?

I'm excited to introduce a fresh segment to all of you. If you're vibing with it, trust me, there's more in store! πŸ“ˆπŸš—

Today & tomorrow I'll be diving deep into two platforms that are hitting some speed bumps, each having its own unique journey. Strap in and stay with me! 🧐🌊

MARKET LEADERBOARD

πŸ’° The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc..

I only include websites that have sold 5+ cars in the chart below. Which means Hagerty, PCarMarket, Hemmings and many others did not sell 5 cars yesterday!

Sales performance yesterday paralleled the previous day, with vehicle transactions amounting to just over $5.5m. My mandate is to diligently analyze these results, report on our sales performance, and provide you with salient insights and emerging trends. I am invested in collective success; robust sales figures give me more data to analyze, and diving deep into data is my passion.

However, today's report necessitates that I shine a spotlight on one platform that is currently underperforming, tomorrow I have another platform to highlight all for the wrong reasons!!

Let's start with Hagerty. At its inception, my assumption was that Hagerty would tackle this venture as they traditionally do: aggressively, with momentum, and with a goal to rise to the industry forefront. Surprisingly, they initiated on a subdued note – a strategic decision that can be wise. But their growth trajectory in recent months has raised concerns. While the market dip is a universal phenomenon and many platforms are grappling with lower sell-through rates, Hagerty's decline is notable. Given their expansive customer base, it's perplexing that they haven't leveraged it to bolster both buying and selling. For context, last week they registered sales of 7 cars, valued at $94,301 – not the kind of figures one would anticipate from them.

The critical questions arise: Where's the bottleneck? Is it in acquiring quality listings? Does their technical infrastructure require fortification? Or perhaps, is the issue in attracting enough visibility to their auctions?

It's evident from their aggressive advertising campaigns (samples provided below) that they're actively pursuing engagement.

But here's the silver lining: Hagerty possesses the potential for a turnaround. While I haven't had a direct conversation with their team (an interaction I'm open to), it's challenging to pinpoint the exact hurdles they're facing. Why this stagnation in sales? Regardless, I genuinely hope they can recalibrate and regain their momentum. Wishing the best to the Hagerty team.

Where do you think Hagerty is facing challenges in their sales performance?

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TOP 5 SALES OF THE DAY

By clicking on the image it will take you directly to the auction.

SALE OF THE DAY

πŸš— ICONic 1953 Chevrolet 3100 Transformation! An exemplary creation from ICON.

Link to auction here.

πŸš€ The Sale: This astounding 1953 Chevrolet 3100 ICON Derelict TR #19 sold for a whopping $322,500.

πŸ§ͺ The Build:

  • Heart of the Beast: A roaring 6.2-liter LS3 E-Rod V8 engine! πŸŒͺ

  • Gears to Play: Tremec 6-Speed Manual Transmission for those thrilling drives! πŸ› 

  • Dazzling Exterior: Faded turquoise paint with an exquisite wood bed floor. ⭐

  • Comfy Interior: Luxuriously re-trimmed in tan silicone, featuring Vintage Air AC & JL Audio Bluetooth setup! 🎡

  • Safety & Power: Brembo Disc Brakes + Power Steering ensures smooth and safe rides! πŸ›‘

  • Mileage: A mere 2,800 miles shown, a fresh beast on the road! πŸ›£

πŸŽ‰ The ICON Effect: ICON's meticulous touch transforms vehicles into masterpieces. Just as Singer reshapes Porsches, this 1953 Chevrolet saw an unparalleled rebirth.

πŸ“‰ Historical View: A nostalgic throwback to the 1950s era, this American beauty was redesigned to perfection in 2022 by ICON.

πŸ” Where Does It Stand?: Beyond the impressive build and features, this truck was designed as the 19th example of the ICON Derelict TR β€œOld School 5-Window” series.

πŸ”₯ Final Thoughts: An automotive artwork like this doesn't come around often. Cheers to the new owner, and hats off to ICON for another stellar transformation!

ALUMNI CATCH-UP

Today, we're introducing a fresh segment where we revisit past auctions to track how their values have fluctuated over time. πŸ“ˆπŸ“‰ I’ll be adding a ⬆ or ⬇️ next to it to showcase whether price has gone up or down.

⬆

First up is this Japanese Kei coupe, 1993 Autozam AZ-1 Mazdaspeed 5-Speed that was originally sold for $15,800 in 2020. Yesterday it was sold for…. $27,250.

⬇️

1995 BMW M3 Coupe 5-Speed bought for $21,750 in January and sold this week for $21,500.

⬇️

1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 bought for $126,000 in Dec β€˜22 and sold this week for $101,250.

Would you like to see more of these?

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AUCTION OF THE DAY

1966 Jaguar XKE-Series I Coupe: A Blend of History & Modern Upgrades πŸš—πŸŒŸ

This is a car that I LOVE. One day…

Link to auction here.

Overview:
Up for grabs is a pristine 1966 Jaguar XKE-Series I Coupe, an emblem of Jaguar's legacy in sports car design. Initially sold in Copenhagen, Denmark, this beauty later graced the US roads, spending over four decades under the meticulous care of a single California family.

Color & Aesthetics: πŸŽ¨
Dressed in its original "Opalescent Silver Grey", this car exemplifies the Series I allure with its glass-covered headlights, quaint front grille, and split chrome rear bumper. A prior modification that introduced a Series II-style front was artfully reverted, ensuring its authentic look. Its gleaming finish owes to a thorough rotisserie repaint in 2016 by Images Autobody of California.

Interiors: πŸ–€
Step inside, and you're greeted with a rich black leather ambience, accompanied by matching carpets and a vintage three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel. From lap belts, classic Smiths instrument dials, to an upgraded Clayton Classics air conditioning system, the cabin promises comfort fused with nostalgia.

Performance & Upgrades: πŸ
Under the hood lies a 4.2-liter XK inline-six engine, jazzed up with triple SU carburetors, a high-output alternator, and a modern CoolCat aluminum radiator. The original transmission has been replaced with an advanced Cosworth 5-speed manual, promising smoother rides. The car also benefits from an upgraded adjustable suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, ensuring a balance of power and poise.

Historical Tidbits: πŸ“œ
The Jaguar E-Type (or XKE as known in the US) remains one of the most iconic cars of the 1960s. Its unveiling in 1961 was met with acclaim, with Enzo Ferrari calling it "the most beautiful car ever made". It wasn't just about looks; its performance made it a favorite at races, setting numerous records.

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