VIN Secrecy in 911 Dakar Sale – Fair Play or Foul?

The Daily Vroom

Good Morning, Vroomers!

The Tesla Cybertruck listed on Cars & Bids has certainly sparked a firestorm of opinions. Kudos to the listing for drawing an impressive crowd and significantly boosting site traffic. The comments and Q&A section are turning into quite the spectacle – from the perspective of an outsider, it’s quite entertaining to observe. As we head towards the auction's conclusion on Friday, it’s shaping up to be an intriguing week watching how this all unfolds..

MARKET LEADERBOARD

💰 The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc… All online auction sites are analyzed to put this leaderboard together.

I only include websites that have sold 5+ cars in the chart below.

Yesterday, we clocked in sales just a tad under $6 million, which, for a Monday, isn't too shabby—it's somewhat above what we usually see. But a quick glance at the leaderboard, packed as it is, reveals a bit of a dip in the sell-through rates for many. A little nugget of wisdom for those looking to list their vehicles: Monday might not be your golden ticket. There's a mix of factors at play, but the trend suggests there are better days to make your move.

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

Congratulations to PCarMarket who had the top two most expensive sales yesterday.

Click on the cars to be taken directly to the listing.

2024 Porsche 911 Dakar $350,000

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS $340,000

1984 Ferrari 512 BBi $300,000

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG $276,000

2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 6-Speed $239,000

One Spiky Auction

This was a fun one to watch. I hope the buyer went through with the sale.

Let’s first get to the car and then I’ll explain what happened.

A 90-Mile 2024 Porsche 911 Dakar just smashed expectations, zooming from its $249K MSRP to a jaw-dropping final bid of $350,000. This isn't just any Porsche; it's a limited-edition powerhouse, one of only 2,500 made, inspired by the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally. Dressed in sleek GT Silver Metallic and packed with off-road racing goodies like a variable-height suspension, underbody protection, and those iconic Fuchs-style wheels, this 911 Dakar is ready for anything.

Inside, it's just as exquisite, with a Black leather and Race-Tex cockpit, dialed up with carbon fiber touches everywhere you look, from the sport seat backrests to the GT Sport steering wheel. It's got all the bells and whistles – heated 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats, extended stitching, and an interior that screams luxury.

Under the hood? A beastly twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six engine delivering up to 473 HP, ensuring this beauty isn't just for show. And with less than 100 miles on the clock, it's practically brand new.

The Controversy

The comment section around the 2024 Porsche 911 Dakar auction turned into quite the battleground, sparking fiery debates and a whirlwind of opinions.

From discussions on the car's value and exclusivity to speculation about future models and market trends, the exchanges were as varied as they were spirited. Amidst this, the conversation veered into the territory of the vehicle's VIN, its availability, and the implications of its disclosure—or lack thereof. This stirred a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and a bit of conspiracy theory flair, making for an engaging read.

Instead of diving into every detail from the comment section, I’ve pulled together a few key excerpts to give you a flavor of the discourse. Selling a car on any platform, as it turns out, comes with its fair share of hurdles and complexities.

Today’s Auction To Watch

Today, we’re highlighting just one very special car amongst the many across the ever growing number of auction platforms.

Clad in the stunning Aquamarine Blue Metallic, this 1956 Porsche 356A European Coupe is more than just a vehicle; it's a piece of art on wheels. The meticulous restoration it has undergone is nothing short of breathtaking, with every detail crafted to perfection. From the luxurious gray leather upholstery to the pristine condition of its body, this car speaks volumes of the dedication and care invested into it.

Under the hood lies the heart of this masterpiece, a replacement 1.9-Liter Flat-Four engine, which is a testament to the vehicle's blend of original charm and enhanced performance. The comprehensive documentation accompanying the car, including a vast array of refurbishment records, a copy of the Kardex, and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, offers undeniable proof of its authenticity and the high standards maintained throughout its restoration.

The car's return to the auction, steered by 911r, a seller renowned for their exceptional presentation and community engagement, sets the stage for an auction that's more than just a sale. It's a celebration of automotive heritage and craftsmanship. With the seller's unparalleled approach to showcasing this Porsche, they've turned the auction into a premium event, drawing eyes and sparking conversations across the community.

As we count down to the end of this auction, the anticipation builds: will this car exceed its previous sale price of $190,000 in 2021? Given the car's impeccable condition, rich history, and the stellar reputation of 911r in presenting such gems, we're all keenly watching…

The Parts Business

We're all pretty familiar with BaT, along with sites like Collecting Cars & PCarMarket, which offer more than just wheels to their audience. Beyond vehicles, they've got everything from exclusive luggage sets, neon car signs, to all sorts of memorabilia. Honestly, I've glossed over these bits and bobs in my analyses, never really diving into that side of things until recently.

And you know what? There's something pretty interesting going on there. BaT, leading the pack, manages to move about 8 of these 'extras' daily. What's more, each sale is a sure bet for them since they're all No Reserve – meaning, BaT's pocketing some cash regardless. I had it in my head that their minimum fee was somewhere around $500, but it turns out it's just $250. Doing a bit of napkin math here, they're pulling in, on average, around $4k a day. That's not chump change, adding up to almost $1.5 million in fees annually from just a handful of listings.

This strategy? It's not just viable; it's gold. And it's definitely something Cars & Bids could get in on.

Then there are those standout days when a 'part' is really something special, commanding fees way above the norm. Take, for instance, a Ford 427ci SOHC Cammer V8 Crate Engine that fetched $140,000.

I also can't help but think about the user experience on BaT. They've got a filter for parts, sure, but there's room to make browsing even smoother, helping folks zero in on exactly what they're after—or not, depending on their preference. But that's a topic for another chat.

Your Feedback

Yesterday, we put some polls out there, and now it's time to dive into where things stand and what you've been saying.

Kicking off with our burning question: 'How much do you reckon the 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series will rake in over at Cars & Bids?'

Turns out, most of you are betting on the sweet spot of $200,000-$250,000. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how it unfolds… And here's a taste of what you've been sharing:

We sold one in Dallas at Manheim under the ‘GiveMeTheVin.com’ banner, 3 weeks ago. It sold for $244k to Miami, FL dealer. We sold another 2 sold a week later for $195k and $191k.

It will probably be similar to the Deloren. Collectors only.

Everyone knows these are going into mass production and it would be crazy to spend more than 150-175K right now. Even that much is a stretch.


Then we turned the spotlight on buyers, asking, 'What's your take on using Bring a Trailer's Verified Checkout for your auction buys?'

Next will be the issue of IRS Form 1099 to the seller. Check that out, Sam. Thank you.

Finally, peace of mind with my purchases. This service adds so much value by simplifying the whole process. It’s about time we had something like this!

It's a game-changer for online auctions.


Finally, we threw a curveball at the sellers, asking them, 'What's your take on having to use Bring a Trailer's Verified Checkout if your buyer opts for it?'

Interestingly enough, the bulk of the feedback was tinged with concern, with many voting that they're worried it might complicate the selling process.

Now, I'm not in the trenches selling, so my perspective is more bird's-eye, but I had pegged this feature as a surefire win for sellers. Goes to show, there's value in every viewpoint, and I respect the diversity of opinions out there.

I'm all for innovation, but this feels like it's fixing something that wasn't broken. The beauty of BaT was its simplicity, and I'm concerned we're moving away from that.

As a BaT Local Partner, we see this as a positive addition to the auction process. Many of our clients aren’t familiar or comfortable with the transfer of funds post-auction, and winning bidders are often the same. Working with a Local Partner has traditionally offered some level of professional assurance, but for the broader market that handles their own auction(s) this is a big deal. The fact that additional services such as title transfer and registration are also included is a solid value-add (I mean, who actually enjoys a trip to the DMV?).

Definitely have to wait and see.. I've had no issues doing it on my own after selling 40+ cars now. Perhaps it will help but adding another wheel into the mix seems like more of a potential headache for both seller and buyer. – one thing for me, handling it myself gives me a bit more of a connection with the buyer which has resulted in some wonderful conversations and ongoing dialogue.