OOPS: Bogus high-dollar 442 @ Barrett-Jackson

[BobPalma]

'Just found this on the Buick V8 Forum:

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?264693-B-J-325-000-70-442-w-30-ragtop-w-forged-documentation

Where's Jackie Gleason when we need him to confront these guys that "are in a heap-o trouble, boy?" BP

[63 R2 Hawk]

Amazing what you can do with a good painter, a set of metal number stamps, a document scanner, a greedy car seller and a naive buyer....

[Bob Andrews]

Authentication is a big part of what I offer in my business. Some cars are easier than others.

There are two parts to authentication: First is that the numbers are correct and match what is claimed. Second is determining if the verified numbers are original to that individual car. That gets VERY complicated.

I can research numbers and position, but most high-end buyers have already done that. I am called upon to physically verify that those numbers are actually there along with specific equipment; and give my experienced opinion as to whether I feel they are legitimate as claimed. I am careful to be clear that in most cases all I can offer is my expert opinion on the latter; to do otherwise would be taking on a risk that would make no sense for me to do.

On TV we see nouveau riche douches slopping drinks and showing off for the camera; but in my experience, most high-end buyers do their homework and know what they're doing. They just use me for hands-on verification and handling the buy for them, whether with the seller or at auction. I didn't look to deeply into this story; I wonder which type of buyer this was?

[duncan1951]

"caveat emptor" .... "let the buyer beware"