Cars & Bids Overrides Its Own Guidelines to Increase Sales | Carscoops

      Doug Demuro's online auction platform has begun accepting classic vehicles from before 1981, launching with listings such as a classic Corvette and a restored Bronco.

      Cars & Bids has expanded its offerings to include pre-1981 cars, venturing into the classic car auction market.

      Currently available on the platform are a vintage Corvette, a Mercury, and a refurbished Bronco.

      Previously, older vehicles were not permitted due to the establishment of the 17-digit VIN standard in 1981.

      As the online car auction sector grows, several platforms are emerging to serve car enthusiasts, each trying to differentiate itself. Cars & Bids has gained popularity as a site for buying and selling enthusiast vehicles. However, different from its larger counterpart Bring a Trailer, it had previously restricted listings to vehicles from 1981 and onward. This restriction has now been lifted, giving classic car buyers another option.

      Doug DeMuro, the founder of Cars & Bids, explained that the initial cutoff was due to practical reasons. Following 1981, all cars had to use a standardized 17-character VIN, making it easier to track a vehicle’s history and run Carfax reports, thus facilitating the verification process for both buyers and sellers.

      There’s also a simpler reason: the site likely aimed to appeal to a younger demographic. This strategy distinguished it from Bring a Trailer, which has traditionally attracted a broader, often older collector audience for classic car auctions.

      Desperate Measures in Challenging Times

      Since being acquired a few years back, Cars & Bids has encountered difficulties keeping pace with Bring a Trailer’s growth. The company has undergone several rounds of layoffs recently, reflecting the challenges it faces. As per The Daily Vroom, which monitors online auction platforms, Cars & Bids recorded average sale prices in March ranging from $23,000 to $27,000, noticeably lower than the broader market average of $42,000 to $50,000. This discrepancy indicates that high-end buyers still prefer competing platforms.

      The difference in volume is even more significant. Recently, The Daily Vroom reported that Bring a Trailer was selling around 120 to 130 cars daily, while Cars & Bids managed only 20 to 25. This gap highlights the considerable distance Cars & Bids and similar platforms need to cover to catch up to Bring a Trailer in terms of scale and buyer confidence.

      Source: TheDailyVroom

      Nevertheless, while excluding cars produced before 1981 simplified operations during its early days, it meant that Cars & Bids was forgoing a substantial part of the classic car market in which some competitors were active. In the end, this shift is beneficial for both buyers and sellers, fostering increased competition among auction houses.

      What's Being Offered?

      Cars & Bids has launched its pre-1981 category with three classic car listings. The first is a restored 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible featuring upgrades such as a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine, a five-speed manual transmission, Wilwood brakes, and Vansteel coilovers.

      Next up is a 1970 Mercury Cougar, showcasing a vibrant blue color and retaining its original 5.8-liter Cleveland V8, producing 300 hp. This engine is paired with a three-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels, and the odometer shows 96,800 miles (~155,700 km), indicating it has been well maintained over the past 55 years.

      Additionally, a restored 1969 Ford Bronco is on offer. This vehicle is also blue and features a new Edelbrock intake manifold, a 3.5-inch lift kit, a roll cage, and 15-inch Mickey Thompson wheels fitted with 33-inch BFGoodrich tires.

      John Halas contributed to this article.