Why now is the time to sell some of the cars in our collection

I’ve been talking about this for a while, but with the purchase of our newest project car, a 1975 Dino 308 GT4, we’re finally going to do it. It’s time to thin the herd.

The reasons why are probably typical.

Out of space.

Too many engines to keep running. 

Maybe it’s time to play with something different, too. 

And in all honesty, to negotiate the procurement, I had to promise my wife that this transaction would be cash neutral.

So I have decided to sell not one, or even two, but five vehicles. And I realize that choosing which cars to sell is definitely a first-world problem. The choice was not an easy one, but I had to actually come to grips with reality–something I thankfully rarely have to do–and make some decisions.

First up on the block is our 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE coupe. We bought this one as an upcoming project car nearly a decade ago. We keep bypassing this car as we find seemingly more intriguing projects, like our ’65 Mustang race car, our Elva Mk VI sports racer, and now this Ferrari. While still a project, this four-speed sunroof coupe in the lovely, original color combination of a Blue Gray body with a White Gray roof and a cranberry red interior, is in very good condition.

Next up is our longtime Triumph TR6 project car. It’s an early car with a November 1968 build date that looks striking in its Laurel Green original color–close to British Racing Green–with a tan leather interior. We love this car, and it has had everything done to it, including a five-speed conversion plus engine and suspension improvements. I guess there are just other cars in the collection that we have come to love more, so we made the hard choice to put this perfectly running and driving car up for sale.

How about a different kind of roadster? A few years back, we built a 2005 Mazdaspeed Miata into an off-road vehicle, first for the Gambler 500 event here in Florida, and then for rallycross work. We think this thing is cool as heck, and it’s an absolute terror off road. However, subsequent events that we wanted to attend have always conflicted with other dates on our schedule, so the car hasn’t been used much lately. 

Another car that doesn’t get as much use as it should: a Volkswagen Rabbit with a story to tell. About six years ago, we picked up a 1984 VW Rabbit GTI with mostly original paint, a clean interior and the ultimate option, a Callaway turbo kit. While we wrote about the experience and got the car nicely cleaned up, we just don’t use it nearly as much as our E30-chassis BMW 318is. This Volkswagen could be perfect for events like Radwood. 

And finally, at least for the foreseeable future, the final vehicle getting the axe is a 1975 Honda CB400F motorcycle I have owned for 25 years. I love this mostly original, low-mileage piece of Honda history, but I have another bike I like better–a Triumph.

About a decade ago, we did a cover story comparing two sides of the Triumph badge: one of the brand’s new Bonnevilles versus our TR6. I wound up buying the bike that Triumph loaned us and haven’t really ridden the Honda since. Every few years the Honda gets a new battery, but I’ve decided it needs to find a new home as well.

Photography Credit: David S. Wallens

Any time you decide to sell something, you have to decide when and how. There are so many options, from Facebook Marketplace to live auctions like Mecum and Barrett-Jackson and of course Bring a Trailer.

For me, the decision was a bit tough. What it really came down to: I wanted everyone who has inquired about our project cars to get a fair chance. So I decided to work through Hagerty Marketplace. Hagerty is a longtime supporter of our publications, and its fees seem fair: nothing for the seller and just 7% for the buyer. 

So, starting Monday, February 3, these cars will be listed at the Hagerty Marketplace site: hagerty.com/marketplace. All of the lots will be sold at no reserve. I may or may not maximize dollars with this method, but I felt it would be fair and open to all who may have interest.

I would love to hear from you about your selling decisions. What did you sell? How? And perhaps something I shouldn’t ask: Did you regret the sale later?

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