I am writing this letter in regards to a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, from Vanguard Motor Sales located at 15100 Keel Street, Plymouth, MI, 48170. The phone number of this business is (248) 974-9513. I paid $62,000.00, which is a lot of money for this car. I spoke with Tom Photsios on 3 different occasions, plus looked at Internet pictures of the 1957 Chevy. He assured me each time that the car was in excellent condition in everyway so, I believed him. It was a horrible surprise when the car was delivered it was not acceptable and told the person who was delivering it he told me I had to speak with Tom.
The list of things I noticed just upon arrival were: 1. Transmission fluid leaking everywhere 2. Car got hot on test drive of 1 mile. Then would not start. I told the delivery driver to take it back, but he wouldn’t do so. I tried calling Tom; I got no answer then spoke with another person the said he really couldn’t help that I had to speak to Tom. So, since I had paid for the car I signed the Deliver Paper but shouldn’t have. Finally after chasing Tom down because he wouldn’t return my calls or anything and finally when I spoke with him he proceeded to tell me, He could not help me at all since I bought the car and signed for it. So, he was absolutely NO HELP! I thought I was doing business with a BBB member but, its very clear he doesn’t care about his customers its all about making the money not having happy satisfied customers. He was rude and very vulgar on the phone.
I have tried over and over for a year now to get him to trade for another car. He only offered me 47,000 on a trade of one of his 1969 Camaros asking $69,000 he wanted a $22,000 difference. That would have had me paying $84,000 for Camaro worth at best $50,000. I of course turned that offer down; no way would that trade is near even cause he was asking $69,000 for the 1957. So, therefore he was not trying to solve the problem but thought he was. All he does is try to rip people off. I was in the selling business but it was on RV’s for many years and would never do a customer I such manner. I was very successful and am well known for the business I owned and ran.
I need your help this 1957 Chevy has been in my shop for 1 year and I will not touch it as you can see in the letter that is in with this, Don Gardner appraisal of this very poor 1957 Chevy. If I had went to Michigan and looked at the car I would of never looked twice at any price so, I could of saved myself a lot of grief but, thought they were honest people. I believe they committed fraud on the 57 Chevy and lied about the condition. As you can see from Mr. Gardner’s letter, it is in very poor condition. Please help me or direct me to who can. I don’t want this happening to someone else. This company or this man is getting a lot of money by false advertising of cars. I hope I will hear something back from you. I am 71yrs old and can’t afford to take a loss like this and don’t want the next person in the same situation. I have letters from a very well experienced auto mechanic that has been in the classic car and collector car buisness since 1974. He currently worls for a very well known Classic Car Museum owned by Ray Skillman in Greenwood, IN. He is the head restorer at this location . I can send in his letter he wrote in regards to going over my car and listing all that was wrong that was not stated to me on the phone or through emails.
You're 71 years old and you should have known better to buy a car without looking at it first. Buying old cars like this come "as is". I have no sympathy for anyone that does this. Yes, you got "had" and this guy is laughing at you.
I purchased a 1969 Chevelle from them in Jan 2019.
Pro's - the vehicle body, frame and paint are excellent. Interior is nice.
Con's - I've had to spend over 15K on fixing the 572 Chevy crate engine in the car. After 3 months and only 100 miles driven the car broke down (plus battery died). Found out head gasket was leaking coolant into the engine. When engine was taken apart they found broken rocker springs. Ending up having engine rebuilt. Although it had a 572 engine, numerous important items were not upgraded to meet the new engine size. I had to have a new, large radiator put in with fans, a new starter, and the transmission had to be rebuilt as it was beat up and metal shavings were in the fluid. I would think they would do more testing on vehicles especially the motors. Paid $72K for the car and now another 15K. What a waste of money. Never would ever recommend them.
Vanguard Motor Sales Reviews
I am writing this letter in regards to a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, from Vanguard Motor Sales located at 15100 Keel Street, Plymouth, MI, 48170. The phone number of this business is (248) 974-9513. I paid $62,000.00, which is a lot of money for this car. I spoke with Tom Photsios on 3 different occasions, plus looked at Internet pictures of the 1957 Chevy. He assured me each time that the car was in excellent condition in everyway so, I believed him. It was a horrible surprise when the car was delivered it was not acceptable and told the person who was delivering it he told me I had to speak with Tom.
The list of things I noticed just upon arrival were: 1. Transmission fluid leaking everywhere 2. Car got hot on test drive of 1 mile. Then would not start. I told the delivery driver to take it back, but he wouldn’t do so. I tried calling Tom; I got no answer then spoke with another person the said he really couldn’t help that I had to speak to Tom. So, since I had paid for the car I signed the Deliver Paper but shouldn’t have. Finally after chasing Tom down because he wouldn’t return my calls or anything and finally when I spoke with him he proceeded to tell me, He could not help me at all since I bought the car and signed for it. So, he was absolutely NO HELP! I thought I was doing business with a BBB member but, its very clear he doesn’t care about his customers its all about making the money not having happy satisfied customers. He was rude and very vulgar on the phone.
I have tried over and over for a year now to get him to trade for another car. He only offered me 47,000 on a trade of one of his 1969 Camaros asking $69,000 he wanted a $22,000 difference. That would have had me paying $84,000 for Camaro worth at best $50,000. I of course turned that offer down; no way would that trade is near even cause he was asking $69,000 for the 1957. So, therefore he was not trying to solve the problem but thought he was. All he does is try to rip people off. I was in the selling business but it was on RV’s for many years and would never do a customer I such manner. I was very successful and am well known for the business I owned and ran.
I need your help this 1957 Chevy has been in my shop for 1 year and I will not touch it as you can see in the letter that is in with this, Don Gardner appraisal of this very poor 1957 Chevy. If I had went to Michigan and looked at the car I would of never looked twice at any price so, I could of saved myself a lot of grief but, thought they were honest people. I believe they committed fraud on the 57 Chevy and lied about the condition. As you can see from Mr. Gardner’s letter, it is in very poor condition. Please help me or direct me to who can. I don’t want this happening to someone else. This company or this man is getting a lot of money by false advertising of cars. I hope I will hear something back from you. I am 71yrs old and can’t afford to take a loss like this and don’t want the next person in the same situation. I have letters from a very well experienced auto mechanic that has been in the classic car and collector car buisness since 1974. He currently worls for a very well known Classic Car Museum owned by Ray Skillman in Greenwood, IN. He is the head restorer at this location . I can send in his letter he wrote in regards to going over my car and listing all that was wrong that was not stated to me on the phone or through emails.
As expected
You're 71 years old and you should have known better to buy a car without looking at it first. Buying old cars like this come "as is". I have no sympathy for anyone that does this. Yes, you got "had" and this guy is laughing at you.
Great Looking Car - crappy under the hood.
I purchased a 1969 Chevelle from them in Jan 2019.
Pro's - the vehicle body, frame and paint are excellent. Interior is nice.
Con's - I've had to spend over 15K on fixing the 572 Chevy crate engine in the car. After 3 months and only 100 miles driven the car broke down (plus battery died). Found out head gasket was leaking coolant into the engine. When engine was taken apart they found broken rocker springs. Ending up having engine rebuilt. Although it had a 572 engine, numerous important items were not upgraded to meet the new engine size. I had to have a new, large radiator put in with fans, a new starter, and the transmission had to be rebuilt as it was beat up and metal shavings were in the fluid. I would think they would do more testing on vehicles especially the motors. Paid $72K for the car and now another 15K. What a waste of money. Never would ever recommend them.