1957 FJ25 Land Cruiser RM Auctions Auburn, IN. Fall 2018

[Indygbd]

A 1957 FJ25 just ran across the auction block near me. Incorrect engine, trans., master cylinders, battery location, horns, wiper motor, license plate holder, ect... still brought $50,000.00 I have to say if I were to sell one of these, I would not have them do it! Auburn is one of the largest collector car auctions in the country. You would think they would have some idea about what they are selling.
RM Sotheby's - 1957 Toyota FJ25 Land Cruiser | Auburn Fall 2018

 

[Indygbd]

Here is the video link of the auction.
YouTube

 

[Indygbd]

Pics

 

[Indygbd]

More pics.

 

[1969FJ]

A 1957 FJ25 just ran across the auction block near me. Incorrect engine, trans., master cylinders, battery location, horns, wiper motor, license plate holder, ect... still brought $50,000.00 I have to say if I were to sell one of these, I would not have them do it! Auburn is one of the largest collector car auctions in the country. You would think they would have some idea about what they are selling. Clueless!!!
RM Sotheby's - 1957 Toyota FJ25 Land Cruiser | Auburn Fall 2018

Why would you not use them ? Seems it was a pretty good price ?

 

[Bear]

I think the concern is the lack of knowledge on both the part of the owner and the auction house for a very rare vehicle.

To an authentic restorer/collector: the cutting of corners is inappropriate; to a flipper of Central and South American Land Cruisers: just about anything goes; to an uneducated eye: this one looks very nice; to an investor believing this is 100% original restoration: well.............

I would hope that the auction house did not misrepresent this as truly as-original.

 

[Indygbd]

They started a very rare early Land Cruiser just fully restored using all oem parts. The buyer had no clue that it is not all original. That is my concern. If you are going to auction off something, you have an obligation to find out information about what you are selling. I didn't have the heart to tell the buyer what was incorrect. Just smiled and took some photos.

 

[1969FJ]

They started a very rare early Land Cruiser just fully restored using all oem parts. The buyer had no clue that it is not all original. That is my concern. If you are going to auction off something you have the obligation to find out information about what you are selling. I didn't have the heart to tell the buyer what was incorrect. Just smiled and took some photos.

Maybe the Auction house did not know parts were not original ? It takes some Education to discern what is not exactly OEM. Also, I believe a 1957 would be hard pressed to get all OEM parts anyway ?

 

[Indygbd]

Maybe the Auction house did not know parts were not original ? It takes some Education to discern what is not exactly OEM. Also, I believe a 1957 would be hard pressed to get all OEM parts anyway ?

My 1958 will be all oem original parts. I have spent 2 years tracking them down all around the world. If your going to do it, do it right! If they don't have the answers or knowledge they have an obligation to find someone with the knowledge. If they were selling artwork they would know all about it.

 

[Bear]

Yes, a 1957 would require much searching, much luck, much money, and much time to do correctly--if that is your intent. If not, and looking for a fairly quick flip, so be it. The auction house, which is receiving a huge commission usually from BOTH the buyer and the seller, should do due diligence to either represent what IT knows as factual( and not misrepresent just because the seller says so) or be quiet about the authenticity of what is being auctioned. That is their responsibility to the public. Otherwise, and frequently, they are just simple hucksters and greedy middlemen. The buyer, for his part, should be well-enough informed to know what he is buying, regardless of who is representing the "facts."

But this is all the nature of buying and selling anything and relying on the OPINION of someone else other than your own personal knowledge. It is a nice looking FJ25 and hopefully the buyer is satisfied with what he purchased.

 

[1969FJ]

My 1958 will be all oem original parts. I have spent 2 years tracking them down all around the world. If your going to do it, do it right! If they don't have the answers or knowledge they have an obligation to find someone with the knowledge. If they were selling artwork they would know all about it.

Well, if it took you 2 years , and you know what is needed, others may not be so lucky. I am not sticking up for the seller, buyer, or auction house, but I do know how hard it is to find OEM parts pre 1969. So many things have gone obsolete, one has no choice but to get as close as possible. On your 1958, are there any parts that are re makes from various vendors ? OEM means OEM. I know early hubcaps are being made, and other weather-stripping and so forth. I have seen many early vehicles with machined parts because the OEM ones were gone. Actually, the OEM company was gone. The Auction house auctions hundreds of vehicles in a day, and , getting experts on every one that is "restored" with OEM parts would be a daunting task. I remember A Barrett- Jackson Auction a few years ago when a Corvette purist purchased a 1967 and when he got it home, he inspected the starter and found out it was not OEM. He was appalled and I never found out if he got his money back. The other choice for a buyer , if he inspected the vehicle, is to do a low bid.
Another issue is older vehicles that are not 100% OEM are popular even so.

 

[Indygbd]

Well, if it took you 2 years , and you know what is needed, others may not be so lucky. I am not sticking up for the seller, buyer, or auction house, but I do know how hard it is to find OEM parts pre 1969. So many things have gone obsolete, one has no choice but to get as close as possible. On your 1958, are there any parts that are re makes from various vendors ? OEM means OEM. I know early hubcaps are being made, and other weather-stripping and so forth. I have seen many early vehicles with machined parts because the OEM ones were gone. Actually, the OEM company was gone. The Auction house auctions hundreds of vehicles in a day, and , getting experts on every one that is "restored" with OEM parts would be a daunting task. I remember A Barrett- Jackson Auction a few years ago when a Corvette purist purchased a 1967 and when he got it home, he inspected the starter and found out it was not OEM. He was appalled and I never found out if he got his money back. The other choice for a buyer , if he inspected the vehicle, is to do a low bid.
Another issue is older vehicles that are not 100% OEM are popular even so.

There is a difference between 1 starter being incorrect and 50% of the vehicle all while saying its restored using all oem parts. Its very misleading and when your paid huge commissions to sell something its your responsibility to know.

 

[1969FJ]

There is a difference between 1 starter being incorrect and 50% of the vehicle all while saying its restored using all oem parts. Its very misleading and when your paid huge commissions to sell something its your responsibility to know.

I am not saying that is the only non OEM part, But for a purist , one is to many. You never answered if your 1958 has any reproduced parts ? Because, technically , if it does, you cannot say you have all OEM parts either. It seems like splitting hairs, and really it is.

 

[Indygbd]

I am not saying that is the only non OEM part, But for a purist , one is to many. You never answered if your 1958 has any reproduced parts ? Because, technically , if it does, you cannot say you have all OEM parts either. It seems like splitting hairs, and really it is.

No my 58 will not have one reproduced part. I am missing 2 pieces and will not complete it until I find it.
Again, my problem is not with the person who took the easy quick flip restoration route. The auction company that mislead the bidders is my problem.

 

[1969FJ]

No my 58 will not have one reproduced part. I am missing 2 pieces and will not complete it until I find it.
Again, my problem is not with the person who took the easy quick flip restoration route. The auction company that mislead the bidders is my problem.

I am not trying to second guess you, but were you able to find OEM upholstery and OEM exhaust ? Also, how about hardware ? To me it is one heck of a thing to have all OEM parts. I have a 1969 and I cannot get OEM upholstery anywhere ?

 

[Indygbd]

I am not trying to second guess you, but were you able to find OEM upholstery and OEM exhaust ? Also, how about hardware ? To me it is one heck of a thing to have all OEM parts. I have a 1969 and I cannot get OEM upholstery anywhere ?

You have not looked hard enough then. I even found a new oem factory soft top for a fj25. Or, maybe you just don't want to spend the money.

Either way, there is a huge difference between new fabric on a seat or a bolt not being correct versus incorrect engine, transmission, transfer case, wiper motor, front drivers seat, front pass seat, rear seat, master cylinders, horns, spare tire carrier, lines plate frame, horns ect....

Not every vehicle needs to be 100% accurate, however if you represent it that way, that is a problem.

 

[1969FJ]

You have not looked hard enough then. I even found a new oem factory soft top for a fj25. Or, maybe you just don't want to spend the money.

Either way, there is a huge difference between new fabric on a seat or a bolt not being correct versus incorrect engine, transmission, transfer case, wiper motor, front drivers seat, front pass seat, rear seat, master cylinders, horns, spare tire carrier, lines plate frame, horns ect....

Not every vehicle needs to be 100% accurate, however if you represent it that way, that is a problem.

I look but not 24/7. Also, if new OEM upholstery is 3,000 dollars, I also will pass. Are you saying all of those you listed are wrong for this FJ25 ?

 

[Indygbd]

I look but not 24/7. Also, if new OEM upholstery is 3,000 dollars, I also will pass. Are you saying all of those you listed are wrong for this FJ25 ?

Yes, all those things are wrong plus other things on this fj25. That is why I take issue with it

 

[whitey45]

This rig is wrong in so many ways, surprised it has the correct instrument cluster. It’s sad, but the buyer needs to be educated what they are buying,or they just don’t care that it’s misrepresented. This is like selling a 1970 ls6 Chevelle with a crate 454 and a Saginaw 4 spd, and a 10 bolt!! It all appears ok but is way wrong!

 

[nuclearlemon]

Again, my problem is not with the person who took the easy quick flip restoration route. The auction company that mislead the bidders is my problem.

so you hold a company that is brokering a sale between a buyer and seller, not the person who lied while representing the vehicle they are selling?