AT THE REDLINE PLANNING AHEAD Eventually, there comes a time when our beloved car collections are ready to be sold, and in many cases, the decision to sell a car collection also extends to myriad other collectibles that accompanied the vehicles in their garage or display space. Guitars, models, wall and ceiling signs, and even vehicular literature are commonly added to private collection lineups at auction and have historically been very well received by bidders. JOHN KRAMAN John found career success as a sales manager of autos and then aircrafts, and he is a licensed Federal Aviation Administration pilot and mechanic. He joined Mecum in 2006 and is now the director of company relations and the company spokesperson at public events. As the supervisor of Mecum’s on-air talent, John further utilizes his skillset as a commentator and analyst for the televised coverage of Mecum auctions on MotorTrend and MotorTrend+. He enjoys tending to his personal car collection, spending time with his wife Christine, four grown children and five grandchildren, and also performing in the classic rock trio, Redline 7000. Over the past 35 years, Mecum Auctions has grown to become the world’s largest classic and collector car auction company, and now, with dedicated tractor, motorcycle and Road Art divisions at full strength, it is possible to present a wide range of entries with proven strong sales results across the board. Our experience and market leadership helps boost and reinforce the halo effect that forms around any well-promoted collection, a fact that leads to both enhanced interest and a subsequent rise in sale prices. With the knowledge that an eventual sale is inevitable, there are some things that every collector can and should be doing in order to keep their vehicles and items organized and well-cared-for to ensure that when the day comes and it’s time to sell, the process will be as simple, streamlined and stress-free as possible. For starters, it pays to be diligent in keeping an accurate and up-to-date inventory of everything within a collection, and naturally, the list should be edited whenever a new purchase or sale happens. Next, it helps to keep all vehicle titles easily available, making sure that the actual VIN on the vehicle exactly matches the one listed on the title. In addition, the title must be in the seller’s name and be considered clear and negotiable in order to complete a sale. Any associated documents, including window stickers, owner’s manuals, brochures, show awards and even extra keys, should be kept in a known and safe location. The mechanical and cosmetic condition of the vehicles or collector items should be maintained as well. 54 // MECUM.COM
