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Title: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘57 Chevy Bel Air Is on eBay Right Now
Source:
Yahoo News
URL Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/bruce-sp ... en-57-chevy-bel-213037915.html
Published: Dec 15, 2016
Author: Will Sabel Courtney
Post Date: 2016-12-15 22:04:29 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 2123
Comments: 6
Looking for that perfect gift for the New Jerseyite who has everything this holiday season? Well, look no further: the very first car Bruce Springsteen ever owned is up for sale on eBay right this moment. That’s assuming, of course, you’re reading this article somewhere between the moment it was published and 11:50pm Eastern Standard Time on Monday, December 19th. It’s also assuming the statement for whichever bank account is connected to your PayPal ends in a whooooole bunch of zeroes: As of this writing, the high bid for Springsteen’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible currently stands at $200,100—and the reserve hasn’t even been met yet. (For what it’s worth, the car was reportedly valued at $850,000 a few years back.) So yeah, not cheap. But if you happen to be a Springsteen fan (such as, say, your humble author is), you’d be hard-pressed to find a better piece of memorabilia than this classic chunk of Detroit iron. According to the eBay listing, written by seller and Springsteen historian Michael Crane, The Boss purchased the car for $2,000 on May 21, 1975, at the age of 25—three months before the release of Born to Run. He sold it a year later, reportedly because the yellow drop-top was a little too conspicuous for the suddenly-famous rocker. While the body and frame are unchanged—note the rust on the driver’s side door— the drivetrain has been fully revamped, with a customized General Motors 350 cubic inch V-8 plopped under the hood and the four-speed manual gearbox rebuilt. The brakes, radiator, gas tank, and exhaust have been upgraded, and a new heavy-duty alternator has been installed to handle the electrical needs of the car’s massive aftermarket stereo system. The car has been featured in both the temporary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City and in the actual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, as well as in Time, Newsweek, and Playboy. (Copies of all three magazines are included with the car, as is Springsteen’s old registration and insurance.) It was also briefly occupied by tiny billionaire Michael Bloomberg, as this Getty photo from 2008 proves. 
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#1. To: All (#0)
(Edited)
Personal Note: Ah, such pleasant memories this bring back. I bought a new ‘57 Chevy Bel Air Convertible (color red, of course) while I was stationed in Florida. It was the second most enjoyable car I ever owned. The first most enjoyable car I ever owned was a ’55 Austin Healey 100S (color red, of course) I purchased new in Paris while I was stationed in France.
Why would he sell this? Doesn't make sense. A car like this has real personal memories for a man. If I could get my old Maverick back from the late 70s, I woulds, but it has crumbled to rust powder by now. Still, he must be experiencing financial hardship. This is not the sort of thing a man just up and decides to sell.
Actually, the story gets quite involved and hard to follow. The car is not owned by Springsteen, it is owned by Springsteen historian Michael Crane. This is at least the third owner of the car who is selling it. It was sold once before in an online auction for $468,000. Before that….I know not.
The car is not owned by Springsteen, it is owned by Springsteen historian Michael Crane. This is at least the third owner of the car who is selling it. It was sold once before in an online auction for $468,000. Before that….I know not. Ok, well, THAT makes sense. Crane wants to make some money. I can't imagine SPRINGSTEEN selling his car like that. Crane probably hopes Springsteen will buy it.
Has anybody, ever, aspired to someday live in New Jersey?
Sure. Somebody who lives in, say, Tijuana.
#2. To: Gatlin (#0)
#3. To: Vicomte13 (#2)
Why would he sell this? Doesn't make sense.
#4. To: Gatlin (#3)
ctually, the story gets quite involved and hard to follow.
#5. To: Gatlin (#0)
#6. To: Hank Rearden (#5)
Has anybody, ever, aspired to someday live in New Jersey?
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