Hello Rich,
- How to determine the car's fair value (I have checked out the coralsnake website on car values btw)?
I would look at the Hagerty valuation tool for starters.
https://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools Because Hagerty insures these cars, I have confidence they keep a close eye on true valuations and since they are neither buyer or seller, the values should be unbiased. Be honest with yourself about the condition of your car when evaluating if it is 1-5 condition on the Hagerty scale.
You say the car is a "survivor." If it has NEVER been painted and still wears the original, factory paint, has the hoses, belts, exhaust system etc that it came with the day it was delivered, that will add to the value of the car. If it has had just one or two owners, that will add. If all the fiberglass and body panels have never been replaced or damaged, that will add. If the drive train is what came in the car on the day of delivery including the carb, exhaust manifolds, transmission, that will add.
- Whether it makes sense to use an agent/intermediary?
If you do not want to advertise your car, field phone calls, talk to buyers, make appointments to show the car and get the car cleaned up for viewing, an agent is a good way to go. Expect to pay for this service though. When I am a buyer, I very much prefer working directly with the seller (you) to learn the history of the car, what work has been done, get a feel for how the car has been taken care of, why is the seller letting it go. A lot of that information does not get passed on when working with an agent.
- Is using a site like bring-a-trailer or ebay a good idea?
ebay is probably the cheapest advertising to reach a ton of potential buyers that there is. You almost certainly will NOT sell your car through the auction. However, you will have people contact you because they saw the auction and arrange to come look at the car. Set your opening bid at a price you would be happy with. If someone bids that price, you are on your way. But again, almost no one buys a car sight-unseen through the auction. They will get in touch though.
Cars-On-Line.com is about $45 to run an ad for ever and also reaches a lot of buyers.
Hemmings will run an ad in the magazine and on-line
Advertise on this SAAC website! (you may already be getting inquiries just from this post)
- What to do to prepare the car to get the best sale price?
*Clean, clean, clean.
*Take outstanding pictures or your car! Make sure you get shots of the engine bay and make sure you have a number of shots showing the underside of the car. You will most likely be selling this car to a national audience and the pictures are the most helpful way a distant buyer can start to evaluate your car. Some sellers are posting videos of their car and that is helpful too if you know how.
*Take care of any leaks and other small maintenance items. Replace any funky after-market stuff with correct items, for instance take of the cue ball shift knob and find a correct shift knob. Are any important parts missing? The carburetor or the gauges for instance? Try and find correct parts if possible.
These are just a few thoughts to get you started. Best wishes with your sale. It sounds like you have enjoyed your Shelby and hopefully it finds a great new home.
Jeff