1977 COLONY PARK Grand Marquis Station Wagon - $2000 (Santa Maria)

THANKS, KRASH KADILLAK!! Much appreciated that you added the photos.

 

Kasandra,
Thanks for the response. You guys have a good car, for it's age. However it is only worth what someone is willing to pay, sentimental value is only good for the owner.
If you will indulge me, I will tell you my thoughts on how to better market this wagon. I don't mean to come off as blunt, but just want to be sure you don't waste your time with folks that say nice car but can't write the check. This forum is one of the best out there for advertising wagons, it has been around a good while and it where I come (since 2008) when looking for a wagon. It is better than Google search as it has ads pretty much from all over the country when the cars come up for sale.
Another great place is EBAY. I promise you will get the car in front of anyone at any given time looking for a 77 Mercury wagon. Cheap to do it and then you will know what it is worth. Yes, ebayers can be a pain but for the most part I have done well over the years both buying and selling there.
Ok, a couple facts about your car, as I see it from the buyers point of view.

1. Value has to be based on current condition, not what a similar car that was perfect sold at Barrett Jackson auction, this goes for anything. The cost to get a car up to "like new" varies with every car.
2. It is again, worth what the market will pay, not what has been spent on it recently or how much it was liked.
3. You really need to talk about and show pictures of any negatives, such as rust, bad tires, broken tail lights. You also need to really talk about the positives, for example, if it has no rust or very little rust, that is huge when looking at an ad for the buyers, especially a 38 year old car.
4. Unless I missed it, I don't see any reference to motor size? Again, very important to someone, say, looking for a cool tow vehicle for his hotrod (me).
5. Cleanliness is next to Godliness! The under the hood shot right now proves the car has sat a long time with out much attention to detail. A cheap detail would pay off in spades in your case. By looking at the pictures I can tell the car has not been modified, abused or messed with and is mostly original. That is huge too, but a little cleaning would really really help your cause.
6. You are IMO at the very top, or maybe a bit over Retail for your car. Nothing wrong with that, but just know the higher the price the slower the sale. If it is over priced, a buyer really isn't going to care if there is a deadline date for the crushers. I see you said in your last post that maybe that isn't going to happen, and that is good. It would be a shame to crush it, however, crushing will absolutely not bring $2000.
7. In my opinion, for whatever that is worth, your car will probably sell to someone not local to you. You guys have great selection of cars out there that are in good shape regardless of age, so unless you just happen upon someone wanted that particular model, it will be a tough sale there. Again, eBay is your friend.
8. My thought on the price was $1400, and part of that was based on shipping cost back to Tennessee. However, it seems the other recent offer confirms my evaluation.
Good luck with the sale, you do have a good car. I do hope my ramblings help you in your quest.
Bill Howell

 

I agree very much with what bill said and I'm very sorry for your loss, Kasandra.

To ad, you have the hub caps so put them back on for photos, it will make the car look 10 times better.

Don't really need to detail the engine compartment IMO, it's not a show car but a nice car. Just a wipe down of the dust on the air cleaner would spruce up the engine pic big time.

You have mentioned it 'may" go for scrap if not sold in a reasonable amount of time... I'm glad you didn't mention that in your sales ad and I strongly suggest don't mention that to any potential buyer. Using myself for this example, If I was looking to buy a $2000 car/truck to find out it will be scraped if not sold in "x" amount of time I would only offer at max just a little over scrap value. As a matter of fact I did just that this spring, saw a wagon under a car port that was last stickered in 2000, car was not listed for sale but the house was. The realtor contacted the son of owner, who was selling the house. Son already knew that any scrap hauler where I live will pay $100, that's it and no more unless the car is loaded to the max with more scrap metal witch you mite get a extra $20-$40 (been there done that before myself with scrap cars) Well I paid $200.... and there were 2 reasons for that, yeah I wanted it for a parts car and the extra $ was so the son would not fill it up with scrap metal and destroy the interior. Seller now had a pile to get rid of some other way and I guess I paid for that.

In another thread todays scrap values were talked about, what is being paid today for scrap car/metal by the ton in various US states and nobody is getting even close to $100 a ton, scrap metal prices have dropped huge. And no scrap car hauler is going to drive to you, tow a car and pay you full scrap value as they have to make $ also.

I hope the wagon finds a good home, I really like it and especially Ford's gold interior from that era. And I know it's hard but you have to leave sentimental value completely out, that will not sell the car.

Best wishes to you and your Mom

 

Kasandra, since you are trying to do all this from far away, this might be a situation where a consignment used car lot could help. They handle the cleaning of the vehicle, and showing it, in exchange for a percentage of the sale price. They also might be able to get a bit more for it, since they would have the ability to arrange financing for anyone who might need it. Do a Google search for 'Consignment used car lots, Santa Maria, CA.' and you should get a few choices.

Marshall

 

Good idea Marshall. We had an older Chevy van that I used to move to Florida with then used as an RV and family sedan seven years. It was still decent so I put it at a local consignment lot so I didn't have to fool with it. Even that small lot along a main highway worked out well. Sold in about a month.
If this 77 Colony Park wagon weren't so far away I might have been interested.

 

Hi again,
Thank-you all for the suggestions and condolences. I will be over there tomorrow to remedy some issues with it.
As for the rims, we thought the original rims were the ones we found IN the wagon, that those were the ones my Dad told us about, however they are for a Ford, smaller rim, we have no idea what car they go to....14 inch rims. We know we have the originals but they are in a box, among a sea of boxes. It will take time to locate them. No one more disappointed than me regarding the rims because I know the wagon would show better with them.
I am dealing with an (almost) 80 year old lady so I am doing the best I can given the circumstances. None of my siblings have helped my Mom with these cars, to the extent that I am, so I am dealing with the limitations as best I can. She will not agree to consignment or a broker. She has decided to not donate it, or send it to the crusher. So that is good news. Did I mention she is elderly AND stubborn? Sometimes I just have to say, IT IS WHAT IT IS.
I will work on her with the price. Please, if anyone out there is remotely interested, please private message me. As I mentioned before I have a lot more photos and can take more tomorrow (Monday).
Also, if this is the wrong forum for this, then someone needs to tell me. This is all new to me.
Thanks again.
Kasandra

 

Kasandra you are doing fine. As a 76 year old male I understand stuborn. We are moving and I hate to think of the things I need to do with my cars and parts. but there are times we just have to let things go.
Good luck.

 

'77 Mercury Colony Park Wagon Grand Marquis

Hello,
Thanks ModelT1, and all for the encouragement and suggestions. Will keep you posted. Cheers.
Kasandra

 

Price drop to $1500 and more photos. As suggested previously by Tedy, putting the wheel covers on it would add a lot to curb appeal.

http://santamaria.craigslist.org/cto/4830113120.html