Car-Obsession.com
It's All About The Cars...
First off, thanks for taking the time to visit this site. So, who's driving?
I'm a North Carolina transplant with a lifelong love of automobiles, and a particular passion for 1950's and 60's American cars and car culture. This site was created as a way to express that interest, and to connect with others who share the "car-obsession". I'm also passionate about saving old cars from the crusher! Forty or more years of memories, beautiful design, and history should not end up as part of a $29 "made in China" barbeque grill from Walmart !
I'm a North Carolina transplant with a lifelong love of automobiles, and a particular passion for 1950's and 60's American cars and car culture. This site was created as a way to express that interest, and to connect with others who share the "car-obsession". I'm also passionate about saving old cars from the crusher! Forty or more years of memories, beautiful design, and history should not end up as part of a $29 "made in China" barbeque grill from Walmart !
I've collected artifacts and memorabilia from the past (mostly American 1940's to 1960's) since I was a kid. It's a leap to go from buying comic books or metal lunchboxes to a 3500 lb, 50-year old Chrysler (!) but the thrill is pretty big too, once you take the plunge!
I've always had to do all my collecting on a small budget, which, of course, makes every thing more challenging. I've also always been a big believer in the concept of "win-win"--- the best deals, in my opinion, are the ones in which everyone gains something and walks away happy. I try to extend this philosophy to all areas of my life. Another area of interest is in finding creative ways to solve problems. In our fast-food, instant-fix, disposable, look- to-someone-else-for-the-answers-society, we've lost sight of how to use the other 90% of our brains.
Currently, I'm exploring ways to combine this list of interests-- cars, the win-win deal (business arrangements where all parties get something they really want), creative problem-solving, and collecting fun or necessary items on a budget. One way to further them all is through a revival of the practice of BARTER. Once a common way to do business and meet life's everyday needs, barter has given was to funding the salaries of the CEOs at Walmart , Zip-Lube, Auto-Zone, and "the big box stores". Nowadays, you look in the Yellow Pages online or off, overpay strangers for poor service and unsatisfactory goods--- because the larger society tells you that's your only option. I'm gradually finding a network of individuals who're meeting many of their needs through barter. You may be cash-poor at the moment, but possess talents or items someone else is seeking. In return, they may be able to offer you a better deal than you'd find for cash, on something you're looking for. More info on the return of bartering can be found here.
So, you're into cars & car culture and you'd like to check out this barter idea--- perhaps you've always had a specific "dream car" or project car in mind, but you've let the notion slip away, because you thought you could never afford that car, or it's not possible to find it in your geographic area. Or you can't find a restoration part, at least not affordably, and you don't have time to spend hours a day on the hunt. Or, you want to promote your business or sell your car, but don't want to spend a mint on paid ads.
I research cars and parts every day. All over the U.S and beyond. At the moment, I have time to do that, and it's a passion. Think creatively---- might there be an intersection of your needs & mine?
SOME OF THE ITEMS AND SERVICES I HAVE TO OFFER, IN TERMS OF BARTER:
* PARTS LOCATING-- Can't find the right obscure part at an affordable price? No luck finding it in your area? Drop me line. I may be able to find it.
* CAR LOCATING-- Ditto. I spend many hours a week researching cars. Someone should benefit from that... .
Note: My area of NC is the birthplace of NASCAR, and is loaded with Muscle Cars. If you live in an area with a shortage of these cars, maybe we can work something out--- this is Nova, Charger, Challenger, Chevy II, Torino, Cutless, Firebird, Camaro, TransAm country!
* An AD on this website. Promote your business, sell your car, etc.
* WEBSITE BUILDING for your business or personal use.
* ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN OR OTHER LONG-DISTANCE BUYERS: Are you considering buying a car located in North Carolina, Virginia, or nearby areas, sight-unseen? Often sellers are more than happy to provide detailed info and photographs--- but what about the cases in which they aren't? What do you do if you're in California or Sweden, the car sounds like a bargain from the ad description, but it's impossible to tell for sure, the photos don't tell you enough, and the seller is vague and/or hard to contact? What might it be worth to you to have a local agent see the car in person and take photos for you?
I'm roughly 4 hours from the ports of both Norfolk, Virginia & Wilmington, North Carolina, and could assist with shipping arrangements, in addition to checking the car out for you. Could also travel to other areas, depending on the situation.
Again, think creatively. Think of what you want, what it might be worth to you, and of what you might have to offer in exchange. Cash is great, but it isn't the only way to obtain goods and services. Perhaps there's a project car for sale in my area, for less than my services might be worth in cash, if you're in Europe and need assistance with finding or shipping a car. You get dozens of detailed photos of the car from a person who was onsite and asked questions, possibly plus shipping assistance---- and I get a project car.
Maybe you are a car hauler or you know someone who is and you can transport a car on an open trailer to my area in NC, in exchange for locating a car for you, or assisting with a long-distance purchase. (The ideal situation is a truck that's already heading this way, running empty on this leg of the trip, or with an empty spot on a multi-car hauler).
Smaller deals might be as simple and inexpensive as I find you a used 1940's flathead engine, call to make sure it's still available & get some additional info for you, connect you to the seller, and in return, I get a small finder's fee. My bartered fee does not have to be cash, and can be anything---- something from your garage or attic that you haven't used in years, your $3 flea market find, a custom-embroidered shirt or cap --- with a car design of course --- from your sister's embroidery business, Remember "trading" to get what you wanted as a kid? A peanut butter sandwich for the other kid's fruit cocktail, marbles & a pocket knife for a coveted baseball card? It was a good system then, and still works today! In any barter deal, remember to consider options beyond what you have or can do, directly--- perhaps a friend or family member has a service or item that you can obtain cheaply.
Maybe you need a large photo ad for your business, or you'd like a website built but don't want to pay a website designer $500-$600 for a one-page site (that you still have to pay a professional to update every time you need to make a change). If you , a friend, or a relative is in the business of building those lightweight aluminum carports (retail value $500-$600, actual cost far less if you're an installer or dealer!), we may have a win-win deal!
Some of the items & services I'm SEEKING or might be interested in, re BARTER:
* 1950's & 60's Memorabilia & Automobilia (ads, signs, kitsch, furniture, metal lunchboxes, toys etc)
* Retro items (some of the fun stuff is reproduction or just retro-styled)-- got a cool t-shirt, a metal sign you no longer use?
*Coke or other soft drink collectables
* CARS! Including rough "needs major TLC" cars or pickup trucks 1940's-to-70's. It may not look salvageable to you...Never hurts to ask. High on my current wish list is a 1940's to mid-70's running or close to running car, cosmetics unimportant. And no, I don't care "how many doors it has". ;)
*An aluminum carport
* Gravel ! If you're in NC with access to 15 tons of gravel and a truck... .
I've always had to do all my collecting on a small budget, which, of course, makes every thing more challenging. I've also always been a big believer in the concept of "win-win"--- the best deals, in my opinion, are the ones in which everyone gains something and walks away happy. I try to extend this philosophy to all areas of my life. Another area of interest is in finding creative ways to solve problems. In our fast-food, instant-fix, disposable, look- to-someone-else-for-the-answers-society, we've lost sight of how to use the other 90% of our brains.
Currently, I'm exploring ways to combine this list of interests-- cars, the win-win deal (business arrangements where all parties get something they really want), creative problem-solving, and collecting fun or necessary items on a budget. One way to further them all is through a revival of the practice of BARTER. Once a common way to do business and meet life's everyday needs, barter has given was to funding the salaries of the CEOs at Walmart , Zip-Lube, Auto-Zone, and "the big box stores". Nowadays, you look in the Yellow Pages online or off, overpay strangers for poor service and unsatisfactory goods--- because the larger society tells you that's your only option. I'm gradually finding a network of individuals who're meeting many of their needs through barter. You may be cash-poor at the moment, but possess talents or items someone else is seeking. In return, they may be able to offer you a better deal than you'd find for cash, on something you're looking for. More info on the return of bartering can be found here.
So, you're into cars & car culture and you'd like to check out this barter idea--- perhaps you've always had a specific "dream car" or project car in mind, but you've let the notion slip away, because you thought you could never afford that car, or it's not possible to find it in your geographic area. Or you can't find a restoration part, at least not affordably, and you don't have time to spend hours a day on the hunt. Or, you want to promote your business or sell your car, but don't want to spend a mint on paid ads.
I research cars and parts every day. All over the U.S and beyond. At the moment, I have time to do that, and it's a passion. Think creatively---- might there be an intersection of your needs & mine?
SOME OF THE ITEMS AND SERVICES I HAVE TO OFFER, IN TERMS OF BARTER:
* PARTS LOCATING-- Can't find the right obscure part at an affordable price? No luck finding it in your area? Drop me line. I may be able to find it.
* CAR LOCATING-- Ditto. I spend many hours a week researching cars. Someone should benefit from that... .
Note: My area of NC is the birthplace of NASCAR, and is loaded with Muscle Cars. If you live in an area with a shortage of these cars, maybe we can work something out--- this is Nova, Charger, Challenger, Chevy II, Torino, Cutless, Firebird, Camaro, TransAm country!
* An AD on this website. Promote your business, sell your car, etc.
* WEBSITE BUILDING for your business or personal use.
* ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN OR OTHER LONG-DISTANCE BUYERS: Are you considering buying a car located in North Carolina, Virginia, or nearby areas, sight-unseen? Often sellers are more than happy to provide detailed info and photographs--- but what about the cases in which they aren't? What do you do if you're in California or Sweden, the car sounds like a bargain from the ad description, but it's impossible to tell for sure, the photos don't tell you enough, and the seller is vague and/or hard to contact? What might it be worth to you to have a local agent see the car in person and take photos for you?
I'm roughly 4 hours from the ports of both Norfolk, Virginia & Wilmington, North Carolina, and could assist with shipping arrangements, in addition to checking the car out for you. Could also travel to other areas, depending on the situation.
Again, think creatively. Think of what you want, what it might be worth to you, and of what you might have to offer in exchange. Cash is great, but it isn't the only way to obtain goods and services. Perhaps there's a project car for sale in my area, for less than my services might be worth in cash, if you're in Europe and need assistance with finding or shipping a car. You get dozens of detailed photos of the car from a person who was onsite and asked questions, possibly plus shipping assistance---- and I get a project car.
Maybe you are a car hauler or you know someone who is and you can transport a car on an open trailer to my area in NC, in exchange for locating a car for you, or assisting with a long-distance purchase. (The ideal situation is a truck that's already heading this way, running empty on this leg of the trip, or with an empty spot on a multi-car hauler).
Smaller deals might be as simple and inexpensive as I find you a used 1940's flathead engine, call to make sure it's still available & get some additional info for you, connect you to the seller, and in return, I get a small finder's fee. My bartered fee does not have to be cash, and can be anything---- something from your garage or attic that you haven't used in years, your $3 flea market find, a custom-embroidered shirt or cap --- with a car design of course --- from your sister's embroidery business, Remember "trading" to get what you wanted as a kid? A peanut butter sandwich for the other kid's fruit cocktail, marbles & a pocket knife for a coveted baseball card? It was a good system then, and still works today! In any barter deal, remember to consider options beyond what you have or can do, directly--- perhaps a friend or family member has a service or item that you can obtain cheaply.
Maybe you need a large photo ad for your business, or you'd like a website built but don't want to pay a website designer $500-$600 for a one-page site (that you still have to pay a professional to update every time you need to make a change). If you , a friend, or a relative is in the business of building those lightweight aluminum carports (retail value $500-$600, actual cost far less if you're an installer or dealer!), we may have a win-win deal!
Some of the items & services I'm SEEKING or might be interested in, re BARTER:
* 1950's & 60's Memorabilia & Automobilia (ads, signs, kitsch, furniture, metal lunchboxes, toys etc)
* Retro items (some of the fun stuff is reproduction or just retro-styled)-- got a cool t-shirt, a metal sign you no longer use?
*Coke or other soft drink collectables
* CARS! Including rough "needs major TLC" cars or pickup trucks 1940's-to-70's. It may not look salvageable to you...Never hurts to ask. High on my current wish list is a 1940's to mid-70's running or close to running car, cosmetics unimportant. And no, I don't care "how many doors it has". ;)
*An aluminum carport
* Gravel ! If you're in NC with access to 15 tons of gravel and a truck... .
Under Construction!
Please excuse our mess. We're updating, and will be much more presentable by February 1 ! Thanks for your patience.
Sample of PROJECT CARS & PARTS Available
December/January
(Not mine, but I can connect you to sellers)
1938 Oldsmobile Sedan $1000
1962 GMC Pickup $1000
1982 Porsche Turbo 924
(with rebuilt motor) $1500
Another '82 924 available for parts car $ 800
1984 Porsche 944 $1250
1965 Ford Ranchero $1500
1946 Chevy sedan $1000
1955 Chevy Pickup Stepside $1200
1959 Impala- No motor, no trans, no title $1000
1971 Nova Grill $65
1979 T-Bird Engine 302 $250
1968 Chevelle Front Bumper $15
1969 Chevelle Rear Bumper $15
1969 Mustang Bumper $50
(new chrome)
Please excuse our mess. We're updating, and will be much more presentable by February 1 ! Thanks for your patience.
Sample of PROJECT CARS & PARTS Available
December/January
(Not mine, but I can connect you to sellers)
1938 Oldsmobile Sedan $1000
1962 GMC Pickup $1000
1982 Porsche Turbo 924
(with rebuilt motor) $1500
Another '82 924 available for parts car $ 800
1984 Porsche 944 $1250
1965 Ford Ranchero $1500
1946 Chevy sedan $1000
1955 Chevy Pickup Stepside $1200
1959 Impala- No motor, no trans, no title $1000
1971 Nova Grill $65
1979 T-Bird Engine 302 $250
1968 Chevelle Front Bumper $15
1969 Chevelle Rear Bumper $15
1969 Mustang Bumper $50
(new chrome)
