Vintage Cars: 1976 Cadillac convertible value, high quality photographs, factory paint

Question
My friend asked me to help him sell his car. Since I sell things on ebay, he thought that mightt be an option. He is the original owner of a 1976 Cadillac covertible with 8000 original miles and in near mint condition. He has kept it in a storage building for all of these years.

Do you have any suggestions about the best way for him to sell it? I am not sure that ebay would be the best option.
Thanks, Dot


Answer
I would first recommend going here http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ and talking to people who know Cadillacs.  You can get a ballpark idea of its value at http://www.nadaguides.com  If you think you have something special, I would recommend getting a PROFESSIONAL appraisal done on the car.  You can start looking for an appraiser here http://www.autoappraisalnetwork.com/nada1.html and other sites.  If this car is truly what it sounds like, it will be worth the cost to do it right.  You didn't mention what model or where it is, but you can probably find a professional in your area.  Don't be cheap on the appraisal, and get all the paperwork on the car that you can find (title, maintenance records, ownership history, original dealer sales paperwork, original window sticker, etc).  The appraiser can probably tell you what helps increase a car's value.  Have the car inspected by a good automotive technician, preferably one that knows Cadillacs like this one.  Find out what is wrong with it.  Document any modifications from factory that may have been done.  Replace all normal maintenance and tuneup parts with genuine factory parts to the maximum extent available (belts, plugs, wires, filters, etc).  Have it detailed by a professional if the paint is in excellent condition.  If not, you may consider getting it painted to the factory paint spec.  Remember to keep its value in mind.  I would then take high quality photographs of the vehicle from all angles including underneath.  Write up a good description of the vehicle describing its condition in terms of both mechanical and how close it is to factory build.  The more original it is and better its condition, the better the price.  If you can find original tires, have them mounted.  Collectors love attention to the minor details.  After all this is completed, then look at your sales options which may include ebay.  Your appraiser may be able to help.  Good luck.  I looked up a two door Deville on NADA and the high value for a plain one was about $10K and an Eldorado was about $22K.  Special factory packages raise the value.