The show Pawn Stars just aired an episode featuring a 1915 "Taxi" where their "Expert" Danny gave it a glowing review of the restoration and estimated its value at about $29k; they bought it or $21k.
It had a modern 4 cylinder Chevy engine in it, modern turn key ignition switch, ~5 gauge dash with what looked to be a AM/FM/CD player built in, modern hydraulic brakes. But the really important thing Danny said was the frame appeared original.... He also said there really aren't that many like it out there any more. That last statement I definitely agree with. Entertainment yes but not a good endorsement for the History Channel.
Forgot to mention it also featured an Ooga Horn next to the driver. Everyone knows all Ts had those; at least now they think they did. ;-)
LOL Mike........that's a rerun and I saw it the first time around.
I think it was even a bit more ridiculous watching it the second time........"aren't many around".........riiiiiiiiight
I'd sure like to know what they got for it though.......
I think this gentleman may have had a hand in that transaction.
It is morally wrong to let a sucker keep his money."
It is fake. Entertaining, but fake. There was no taxi for sale, no money exchanged hands. Everything is staged. All the interactions are fake, in fact they pull items already purchased from their inventory, and have a spectator "sell it" back to them on camera. These shows start off with real interactions, but quickly spiral into a clever charade. Poor Chumlee always getting picked on, complaining he works too hard for little or no pay, blah blah. Everybody on that show is very wealthy now, in fact they do not even work at the pawn shop anymore. Per Celebrity net worth:
Rick-5 Million 25k per episode(per week)
Old Man- 3 Million 25k per episode(per week)
Big Hoss- 1.3 Million 25k per episode(per week)
Chumlee-600,000 25k per episode(per week)
Ed
I can't believe anyone would think otherwise.
Sorta like thinking Troy on swamp people is just a poor alligator hunter.
In fact, it sold at Barrett Jackson in 2011.
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=3 45.1&aid=424
How well does it handle at speed with the original steering column? i drove a '15 once and it was really twitchy, too highly geared even by model T standards.
Lightly modified? Thats the understatement of the decade
Sold for $29,700.......I wouldn't have bet 10 yen they'd make money on that thing.......
Craig,
They did not make much, if any on the deal. The buyer paid $29,700, the sales price was $25,826 and the seller got $23,760 after commissions. That leaves $2,760 of profit before you take out any storage, transportation, transfer, taxes and fix up cost.
Jim
Jim......I'm just amazed they didn't lose their collective asses on that deal.
I wonder if they've learned something since...... ;)
I agree with you guys about the condition of the car but if you listened closely the expert referred to it as a resto-mod which is exactly what it is. As to what it sold for later on? I refer you to two recent posts concerning "originality". Some body thought it was cool.
I think we all agree 'Pawn Stars' is an un-reality show but it's still more entertaining (at least to me) than 'Joisey Shore', The Kardashians, Ice Road Truckers, or those 'Swamp and logging shows with all their stupid, scripted, angry, emotional conflicts.
Amazing the negativity here sometimes ....
I stopped by about (10) days ago, went inside
for a quick look, bought a t-shirt in a mug for $15.00 ....
Of course the cannot work the counter anymore:
@ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/12/pawn-stars_n_1339667.html
If any of you know anything at all about old town
Las Vegas, you would appreciate the tourism and badly needed revenue the show has brought to the
locals ....
I noticed a fair amount of new construction in the area ....
Good for Rick !
I like the show, I view it as entertainment and
good entertainment at that.
Jim
In the Barrett-Jackson link above, they mention a C-4 transmission (which I believe is a Ford) and a "4-cylinder quad tech engine." Does anyone recognize what kind of engine this is? Here's a pic:
"License to Pawn" is Rick's book and it's very interesting. Kind of a bio but it involves every one on the show.
Mike - that sure looks like a GM Quad 4 engine to me....
Most of those reality shows are so stupid and where in the h*ll do they find those people.
Down here in Florida, all you have to do to watch a reality show is to set out on your front porch or go to Walmart.