Hi Folks,

Newbie here in need of some FB on a dealer called Gullwing Motorcars Inc. in New York. Anyone ever dealt with them or had any past experiences with them, especially sight-unseen deals?

Need some FB quick cause I'm ready to jump on a deal.

What better place to find out info than at the 356registry where there's a wealth of information!

Much appreciated!!

They are a well known company with a good reputation, although I haven't dealt with them personally.

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My two cents:
1) Don't do a "sight-unseen" deal
2) There is rarely a need to "jump" on a deal, particularly at a dealer. there is always another deal

There are plenty of 356s to buy in the market at all times, and the possibility of a mis-pricing that you need to "jump" on is quite low - particularly at a dealer. They know what they have and price it accordingly. Take your time - do your homework.

Good luck.

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Jim Harrison
1962 356B S-90 coupe
1965 356C coupe

Lotas a real rough cars. Look before you leap

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Just Google Peter Kumar and see what comes up. I believe he is the owner - always 'phishing' for cars here.

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This may violate the rules on the forum, buy here is what I know about the company/gentleman in question. I was not a party in this transaction but was aware of all the details as the transaction transpired.

I have a local friend who's hobby is to buy and sell 356s on a fairly rapid pace. He had a C coupe for sale that had water damage and was quite rough, but was advertised as such.

The NY company was buying any and every 356 they could get their hands on and ended up buying this car from my friend over the phone.

It was up for sale by its new owner immediately with no work done to the car. The description of the car was not as "detailed" as my friend's was and there was a hefty profit in the new sale price.

Now, please no hate mail as I do not dislike dealers, and certainly do not begrudge anyone a profit IF THEY HAVE ADDED SOME VALUE to the car before reselling it. That value can be anything from merely doing a proper inspection and advertising the car as truthfully as possible to completing a full restoration, and anything in between.

Anything less than that and all you are dealing with is a locating service, and that you can do yourself.

If you believe some value is added, then good on 'ya, if not, find one yourself. There are more of these cars out there than you think.

I hope this helps,

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Sebastian Gaeta
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab

Hi John,

I just looked their website and inventory of 356s for sale. I also see in your profile that you live in California. I have no axe to grind with GMC at all. I do not buy and sell cars so I have not used them, but you asked for opinions and I am being brutally honest with mine.

There are several dealers in California that are quite well known and are active in the Registry.

I'd be looking a bit closer to home.

My 2cents

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Sebastian Gaeta
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab

So, if a dealer sells a car for more than he paid for it because he has developed a presence in the market place and because he is operating from a real building and with real expenses and therefore offers his customers a feeling of confidence and service after the sale then you think that is bad because he added no value??? Are you out of your mind? Have you ever run a business and made a payroll? Did this dealer use a gun to get the car from your friend? Was your friend happy before he realized that the dealer was making a profit? Why did you friend think that a dealer would want his car? I have no knowledge about this particular dealer so I can't vouch for him but I certainly hope that he is making money in exchange for offering something that your hobbyist friend is unable to offer. If the dealer has ripped off one of the readers here then I hope that c2convert will get an email privately.

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Cliff Murray

 

'55 Cabriolet Racer

'57 Speedster

'59 Sunroof

'63 Coupe Pushrod GS 2133

'67 911 S

Wait Cliff, have you seen the inventory of 356's on Gullwing Motors website?

What I think Sebastian is trying to say and still play nice within the rules is "C2Convert" should really.. really do a PPI before buying. Maybe Sebastian is a little more expressive by using an example about his feelings, but my opinion is that the O.P. should really step back and evaluate what he is really buying and what he has to put into a resto before he is happy.

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Hi Cliff,

I hope all is well and thanks for taking the time to respond.




Thanks for hearing me out Cliff, and I hope all is well after last years accident. BTW, what became of that car? It was pretty scary what you and your wife went through but I am glad no one was hurt.

Regards,

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Sebastian Gaeta
Registry #8339
'65 C coupe
'64 C cab

Cliff,
I didn't read Sebastian's comments that way at all.
I make no comment about Gullwing, but covering the costs of running a reputable business is necessary but not sufficient; none of that yet adds value to the customer, only cost to the owner.
To pick the first one that comes to mind, Bob Campbell knows 356s, buys at what he hopes will show a profit on sale and adds his knowledge of what is a good 356 and advertises where he knows he'll find customers *based on that knowledge and reputation* (call it a 'brand') to make that profit. AND pays the costs of business.
The buyer's security based on that 'brand' is a value; Bob's costs are his problem.

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The transaction Sebastian mentions is not the only one that may be considered questionable regarding how this guy does business.

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It seems that 'Gullwing Motors' has changed ownership and the company no longer has the reputation it once enjoyed.
Not too long ago they were highly regarded but it was brought to my attention that the company has resorted to selling low end cars at high end prices. certainly 'look before you leap!'

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Sebastian

Gullwing Motorsports may or may not be a crook. Negative or positive comments as to ethics and honesty are fair game. I just re-read your original post and your only point was that the car was not improved and that the price had increased. As for "value added", there are many ways that a business adds value to a product. As much as you may have a reason to not like Gullwing, you have no reason to complain that a vehicle was sold for more than they paid for it even though they did not improve the car. That is exactly what dealers of anything new are doing and exactly what many dealers of used items do. I am not just talking about vehicles. Without profit your local merchants do not exist so what do you do then? Your story has nothing to do with business practices of Gullwing. As for the condition of the car that you referred to I suggest that not 1% of 356s have led a kind life. We are not talking about a 2009 Benz with water damage that is being hidden.

I can't believe that you have run a car dealership after hearing your protest that a profit was made on your friends car. When a dealer buys a car they accept the liability of any problems that surface. Often you don't know until you own it. Look at the yellow car that Gullwing has and note that the nose of the car fell off on the first drive in NY! Then when the dealer can not get his price and he loses money, will the person that he bought the car from write a check to cover the losses? A dealer must attempt to hit a home run(limited by the market and not as much as you think) on every sale so that the losers don't sink the company. You win some and you lose some. It sounds to me like you should have bought your friend's car and sold it on Ebay for a modest profit. You have heard of Ebay?

I would rather hear from a wronged customer of Gullwing or one that likes them.

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Cliff Murray

 

'55 Cabriolet Racer

'57 Speedster

'59 Sunroof

'63 Coupe Pushrod GS 2133

'67 911 S

C2 Convert, I know nothing about the dealer in question but I suggest that you take the money your going to spend on shipping the car fron New York to Ca. and hire a good knowledgable 356 person to go with you and look at any 356 you want before parting with the hard green stuff. I have helped several people look at Classic American Iron before buying and a extra set of eyes and knowledge can be priceless. Good luck on your search and welcome to the Registery.

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George E Walling