Risky business
I'm still in the middle of an run of bad luck in buying cars at the moment, so when the bloke selling this car contacted me about it I was a bit nervous. He was asking a bit much and dropped a bit too quickly when I haggled. It did look in good condition in the pictures he sent me but it didn't feel right for some reason. He then mentioned wanting to sell it quickly because he was emigrating to Canada at the end of the following week. By now alarm bells were ringing loudly in my head. It was for this reason that I didn't send the letter containing the cheque off to him for a couple of days - until my girlfriend found it and posted it!! I couldn't get annoyed it was my own fault for leaving it lying about :( I didn't expect to receive the car. There was no contact from the seller, despite a number of e-mails, for a few days. I was amazed and relieved when it turned up. I think my scepticism is because I've become used to the 'cosy and safe experience' of dealing with other TC members and through eBay.
It's in very good condition, with only a couple of small bits missing e.g.motor mount plate. It appears to have only been used a few times and the only non standard things on it are the wheels, It's even got the main propshaft in it (hooray). I've become resigned to this part being missing whenever I get an Avante type chassis, this is the only one I've bought with it installed.
I do like a happy ending to a story :)
Comments
kontemax
Hi, Have you bought this car in Italy? I ask this because I know the model hobby shop 'Solo Mini' in Belluno city. Maybe someone that raced in the model track I think.
Cheers
Massimo
Spike
Hi Massimo. Thanks for the info' about the origins of the 'Solo Mini' decals on the car - I had no idea they were from an Italian model shop!! I think you may be right, either the car or the decals have travelled a long way because I bought the car from a bloke in Southampton (in the South of England)!
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