Auto Flip Insider #3

Good morning, Flippers!

If you're into finding awesome stuff and turning it into cold, hard cash, you're in the right place. Our weekly newsletter is your ticket to uncovering awesome opportunities for automotive flipping across the country. From hidden gems to trending items, we've got the inside scoop on how to make money and how to have fun doing it.

Ready to dive in? Let's make some serious dough together!

Warning - Some elbow grease may be required.

• 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280SL - Mountain View, CA - $17,650

• How often do you come across a European market, 5-speed manual Mercedes Benz convertible with color matched Ronal Penta wheels and a Zender widebody kit? How often do you see one listed for under $20k - that’s an even better question.

• The seller mentions over $10k in maintenance work that was performed on the car recently, and highlights the functionality of the air conditioning system (very impressive for a 41 year old German car). From the looks of it, there’s not much left to replace on this particular car. The recently rebuilt suspension system will turn an arduous cross-country journey home into a walk in the park. Now buy the plane ticket!

• Several of this timeless german convertibles have have sold on BringATrailer over the last six years. The Euro-market 5-speed examples typically sell for a premium, closing between $22,000 and $41,000.

  

  How are you going to say no to a “resale red” Mercedes convertible?…

• 1973 BMW 2002 SCCA Rally Car - Fort Lauderdale, Florida - $15,750

• A description that’s written entirely in capital letters can sometimes be a bit intimidating. It’s always an ordeal to hand over $15k in cold hard cash when you’re simultaneously thinking that the recipient of said cash might start screaming in your face at any second.

• The BMW 2002 is known for its lightweight construction, nimble handling, and good looks. This example is likely lighter weight & better handling than it was in its factory form, but it certainly doesn’t look any better.

• The build quality of this custom should probably be questioned. However, the bodywork appears to be well done, the hard rear cover is very unique, and the price seems very reasonable for what it is.

• Hundreds of BMW 2002s have exchanged hands through the BringATrailer auction site. They’ve historically sold for between $2,700 (for a very rough project) and $105,000 (for a Baur Cabriolet model). Most nicely modified examples have gone for over $25,000

  

  We never said that our newsletter didn’t involve a little bit of gambling…

• 1985 Honda Elite 50E - Post Falls, Idaho - $650.

• The price alone makes this one stand out from the crowd - it’s hard to find any running, driving, titled scooters for under $1000 nowadays.

• A bit smaller than its counterpart the Elite 80, the Honda Elite 50E was powered by a single-cylinder two-stroke engine and a simple CVT transmission. If cruising through your downtown bike lane at 30mph is your thing, this just might be the vehicle for you.

• Only one of these have sold on BringATrailer, but the final selling price of $3,100 makes that single sale pretty hard to ignore.

  

  The scooter craze doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, any time soon…

• 1972 Honda Trail 70 - Bozeman, MT - $2,500

• With low indicated miles and a few easily-remedied problems, this classic Honda is a perfect flip-candidate. If you’re not familiar with the Trail 70, check out this article.

• Don’t let the lack of a title scare you - Montana makes the title acquisition process relatively simple & easy. Check out this article from the Bozeman Journal for a guide on how to do this.

• A few of these bikes have been sold on BringATrailer.com, fetching at least $5000 each time.

  

  Bring a helmet and some ratchet straps, this one looks like an easy flip…

• 1968 Volvo 144s - Seattle, Washington - $2,500

• The predecessor to Volvo’s incredible 240 model, the Volvo 144S was an economical family-sedan that could safely and reliably get you from point A to point B, whilst having just as much with comparable BMWs and Mercedes of the era..

• In 2024, the W124 chassis was the quintessential vehicle for an environmentally-conscious DIYer who lives near the Autobahn and wishes he grew up in the 80s. Can you name another RWD sedan with a roomy leather interior, a 3-decade long reputation for reliability, a range of 580 miles on a single tank of diesel, and enough torque to rip smoky donuts in your favorite country club’s busiest parking lot.

• There have been 42 Volvo 140’s to cross the auction block on BringATrailer, selling for between $250 and $50,000.

  

  It’s tough to ignore a such a cheap car with THAT much character…

• You’re telling me that there’s a 1997 Toyota Pickup with a Mercedes OM617 (legendary turbo diesel inline-5) engine located less than 1 hour from the West Entrance of Glacier National Park? Now THIS is a spontaneous road trip idea that even your wife will agree to!

• The Toyota Pickup is an excellent truck, and the Volkswagen ALH turbo diesel engine is an excellent power plant. The main benefit here (versus the factory drivetrain) is torque, gas mileage, transmission feel, and turbo noises. The cost of trying to figure this swap out for yourself would very likely exceed the asking price of this truck.

• We know - it’s downright hideous. However, if you can swallow your pride for a few short hours, the only time anyone will actually SEE you inside this car is when you first arrive at the local tint shop. Once they’ve installed the 5% ceramic tint on this car, you’ll be able to enjoy 68mpg and a top speed of 113mph in utter bliss.

• Also, name another sub-5K two-door hatchback with a manual transmission that can reliably get you from Bozeman, MT to Seattle, WA while using only $30 worth of regular unleaded gasoline… in 2024!

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