Com-Central.net

Chris might have some details, but I saw a blurb on FB about the MkIV from the MVTF not actually changing hands after $2.5M had been paid for it. Now it's in legal limbo. What's the deal with that? (keep discussion in the bounds of good taste that don't make difficulties for Com-Central website).

OK, edit to add: This is just weird.

www.latimes.com/nation...story.html

Update....

www.mercurynews.com/pe...nk-portola

I just found out about it today. I had no idea that any sort of transaction had or had not taken place. The PzKpfw IV was one of three vehicles that were not sold due to reserves not being met. The others were the Jumbo and the Amtrac. They're still at the MVTF while most of the auction vehicles have been shipped out.

Michael Green thinks that it is a big misunderstanding...

Ought to be fun watching this one get sorted out.

Big egoes & big bank accounts battle it out. I can hear the sound of gleeful lawyers rubbing their hands.

- the_shadock

Michael Green thinks that it is a big misunderstanding...

I agree with Mike on this. Ultimately, I think this whole thing will fall squarely on the head's of the auction company.

- toadmanstankpictures

- the_shadock

Michael Green thinks that it is a big misunderstanding...

I agree with Mike on this. Ultimately, I think this whole thing will fall squarely on the head's of the auction company.

That's a good "follow the money" clue. Auction companies only make money when a transaction is complete.

what I understand is that someone at the Auction company thought it was still for sale. She was not aware that Rob Collings finally changed his mind and wanted to keep the Panzer IV, because the result of the auction sales reached the target of 10 millons $.. the question is : was the person at the auction company authorized to sell the Panzer IV after the end of the auction, without Collings Foundation consent?

P-O

One thing that will more than likely come up in the court case is that for sometime after the auction ended, the vehicles that did not sell were still listed on the Auctions America website as being available. Included with the listing was info on who to contact at AA about the vehicles. IIRC, those vehicles were listed as available for at least 1 or more weeks after the auction.

well, I didn't know.

Pierre-Olivier

In any case, 2,5 millions for this empty and badly preserved vehicle is far too expensive. I wonder how many Shermans you could buy with so much money..

P-O

you only need one person who is willing to pay such an amount of money, that is sufficient
And no one is willing to pay 2,5 million for a Sherman ...... whatever state it is in


To get back to the subject.
I think this could get nasty between the AA and the foundation.

Strictly AA sold a vehicle after the auction period, however that was because the minimum price was not reached.
Shortly after the period some-one wanted to pay the 2.5 million price and it had been up for sale, so ........ understandable that AA sold it.

On the other hand, according the San Jose article, the foundation did not have the attention to sell the Pz 4.
However it was listed as being for sale and I don't believe the fact that no one at the foundation staff didn't notice that.

And now that they reached the magic 10 million, some-one figured perhaps it's better not to sell the Pz 4 and backed of.
However it turned out that some-one actually just boughted the Pz 4 for the asking price ..... and now they all have a problem

Whoever owns it, please restore it !!!

- the_shadock

Whoever owns it, please restore it !!!

I am afraid they would restore it to a WW II, German configuration, loosing the features typical of the Syrian, ex-Czechoslovakian, Pz IVs.
I was already disappointed to see that happening in Lesany.

Massimo