Ted Vernon Specialty Automobiles Sale of misrepresented vehicle to an Australian buyer Miami Florida

Hi  

I came across this site by accident. I am in Australia and  I would like to add the tale of my unfortunate purchase of a 1962 Buick Special Convertible from Ted Vernon after checking out his old website back in 2007 . This vehicle was described as "Drives Great" and had a list of new replaced suspension components  as well asa new water pump.   I phoned up and enquired about rust and was told it was ok . I then went ahead with the purchase .Ted spun me a yarn over the vehicle being a father son project and the  12yo  son had died, he asked me if it was ok to leave a photo  in the glove compartment  of the boy fishing to keep his spirit with the vehicle to which I agreed ,  Ted even commented by email on how people admired the vehicle whilst it was being detailed prior to shipping.

I still remember that Australian Spring morning  when the vehicle arrived on a tilt tray outside my home. Looked nice from my front window . The closer I got the worse this vehicle was.  I felt sick when at eye level I  was looking at  not too old paint over a vehicle afflicted with rust . The RH rocker panel had been "repaired" at some time by simply folding it under and stitch welding to the under floor totally mismatching to the other side with the correct appearing spot welded lip.    The brakes were shot ,one front  brake drum  had a busted off lug stud.  The rear bumper was beyond economical repair ,the trunk floor totally rusted out.  The body channel for the tunk sealing rubber has sections eaten away as well as the rear deck underneath the stainless trim below the convertible top .  All floor pans are  rotten having previously been overcoated with fiber glass that just pulled away . The front qtr vent window frames had rusted along the lower edges and the resultant "wheat bixing"  had caused expansion thus cracking the glass.

The exhaust system was in two pieces joined simply by an unclamped sleeve.  The trunk incidently had some junk bits and pieces  like old carby ,horn ring ,  fuel can and old perished rubbers inside

None of the so called "new parts" had ever been done.    I had to purchase items on line from a US supplier later on.

Rear qtr panels are rusted  for and aft of the wheel wells . One of them I have already replaced  by fabrication . The original LH side had over an inch of Bondo covering  a pop rivetted repair.

I could not bear looking at this vehicle for a long time. It is still in storage not on the road yet .

Thankfully a 69 Camaro rear bumper comes close to being a replacement for the use less original . Things like tail lights are another future problem for when I get around to finishing this mess .  The original lenses are cracked and faded,the metal surounds  are pitted.

What gets me is that when I contacted Ted and expressed  disappointment he simply said that the description of the vehicle was what he was told it was and I should have had it appraised. He would give me a discount on my next purchase .

Yeah sure,after that experience ? .    By the way. There was a glove compartment lid but no glove compartment for the so called photo he was going to place.  And what sort of "detailing" went on? The faults would have been obvious.

I have sent emails to so called testimonial suppliers particularly to another so called Aussie address.   No responses.