If you’re part of the SpeedNut crew, chances are you’ve got Vice Grip Garage on your YouTube must-watch list. Derek Bieri’s gritty, real deal builds, and rescue missions have inspired wrenchers everywhere and in his latest episode, he shook things up by talking about something unexpected: selling off some of his vehicles.
That’s right. Some of those crusty classics and rowdy revivals we’ve come to know and love are on the chopping block. But what really caught our attention was his decision to list them on eBay Motors and his candid apprehension about doing so.
See the full breakdown in our https://punszify.com/derek-bieri-net-worth/
From Vice Grip Garage Facebook (December 2022)
A guy used to buy/fix/flip cars on eBay regularly since 2010 (more than I can count). Before then, locally. When VGG YouTube started, I didn’t make a penny for two years. I kept the channel afloat by selling cars and from my savings. Once the channel (and thus its cars) got more popular, my bids kept getting ran up on eBay and elsewhere then the buyer wouldn’t pay. Enough to the point I stopped selling for a while. Very frustrating and a waste of precious time/effort/money.
I’ve saved these cars from the crusher. Now, it’s time for someone else to take them to the next level.
From Vice Grip Garage Facebook (December 2020)
With all the emails and DMs, I’m receiving it’s becoming increasingly obvious no one reads video descriptions on YouTube. The link to eBay is literally the first thing two bidders have already backed out. Again, as a reminder, could purchase prior to bidding.
The Good, the Bad and eBay
From SpeedNut Apparel:
Derek was honest, he’s not thrilled about having to use eBay to part with his cars. While eBay offers a wide reach and streamlined selling tools, he pointed out the real frustrations that come with it, especially when it comes to community behavior.
What really pushed him to rethink the whole thing? The initial vehicle listing he posted was immediately dumped into car enthusiast Facebook groups, and people started recklessly driving the price up despite Derek specifically asking folks not to do that.
It’s a problem many genuine sellers face on public marketplaces: once the listing goes viral, it attracts people who aren’t serious buyers. Some do it for sport, others out of ego—but either way, it creates chaos and undermines the integrity of the sale.
From Vice Grip Garage Facebook (December 2022)
EDIT: complete mess – Square shut down payments on me. I caved and put them on eBay with “buy it now” prices. Just search for Vice Grip Garage.
- Ramp truck = SOLD
- Mercedes = SOLD
- Duster = SOLD
- El Camino = SOLD
- 69 C10 = SOLD
Why It Matters
From SpeedNut Apparel:
Derek’s concern was clear: he didn’t want the car to end up in the wrong hands or become a bidding war spectacle just because of internet hype. He wants the cars to go to true enthusiasts people who will wrench on them, appreciate them, and drive them for the right reasons, not just flex on social media or scalp them for profit.
He even hinted that the experience might make him rethink how or if he continues listing future vehicles that way, which makes us wonder: will Vice Grip Garage create his own private auction system? Or go back to more personal, under-the-radar transactions?
A Sign of Bigger Changes?
From SpeedNut Apparel:
Whether it’s to make room in the garage or shift focus to bigger builds and new projects, this episode gave off a feeling that things are evolving at VGG. And if you’ve followed Derek for a while, you know he’s not in it for clothing’s in it for the love of the machines, the thrill of the revival, and the satisfaction of getting something old running again.
Unique Content (Not Duplicated Elsewhere)
From Higher Turnover Blog (General eBay Motors Selling Experience):
- eBay Motors is intended to be a wholesale arena where dealers can sell cars they would normally run back over the auction block. Don’t expect to get retail price unless it’s a unique vehicle (classic, exotic, etc.).
- A lot of shoppers on eBay are pickier than the average walk-up customer. Part of it probably has to do with the reach of eBay—buyers shop outside their local area. No matter what you tell them or send photos of, they still expect a new car when they arrive.
- On eBay, there are two categories where a winning bidder is not required to complete the sale: vehicle sales and real estate sales.
Conclusion
Derek Bieri of Vice Grip Garage has always represented the spirit of real-world wrenching reviving forgotten machines with grit, authenticity, and humor. His recent decision to sell cars on eBay revealed the challenges that even seasoned builders face in today’s online marketplaces. What began as a practical move to make space and share projects with fans turned into a lesson on buyer integrity, internet hype, and the pitfalls of global exposure.
Despite the frustrations, Derek’s transparency gives fans a deeper look into the realities of the automotive hobby balancing passion with practicality and keeping projects moving forward. Whether he continues selling online or finds new ways to connect cars with true enthusiasts, one thing remains constant: Vice Grip Garage is about saving history one wrench at a time.
FAQs
1. Who is Derek Bieri from Vice Grip Garage?
Derek Bieri is the founder and host of Vice Grip Garage, a popular YouTube channel focused on rescuing, restoring, and reviving classic vehicles that have been forgotten or left to rot.
2. Why did Derek decide to sell cars on eBay?
He sold cars on eBay to fund new builds, free up space, and let fans own a piece of VGG history. It was also a way to pass saved cars on to others who could continue their restoration journey.
3. What challenges did he face selling on eBay?
He dealt with fake bids, non-paying buyers, and inflated auctions caused by viral posts. These experiences led him to reconsider using eBay for future sales.
4. Did Vice Grip Garage stop selling on eBay completely?
Derek hasn’t completely ruled it out, but after repeated issues with non-serious bidders, he’s been more cautious about where and how he lists vehicles for sale.
5. Are all Vice Grip Garage cars for sale?
No. Only select builds are sold—typically ones that have been revived and can safely move on to a new owner.
6. How can fans buy a car from Vice Grip Garage?
Derek occasionally lists vehicles on eBay Motors or provides links through official Vice Grip Garage social media posts. Always verify listings through his official pages to avoid scams.
7. What kind of cars does VGG usually restore?
The channel features American classics from the 1950s–1980s—Chevys, Fords, Dodges, and other iconic brands rescued from barns, fields, and forgotten garages.
8. Why do fake bids become a problem in online car sales?
Because viral listings attract people bidding for attention or entertainment, not actual purchase intent, which wastes time and disrupts genuine sales.
9. How does selling on eBay compare to local sales or private auctions?
eBay offers greater reach but less control over buyer seriousness. Local sales and private auctions often mean fewer views but more trustworthy transactions.
10. What’s next for Vice Grip Garage projects?
Derek continues to expand his channel with new rescues, road trips, and larger custom builds. His focus remains on saving forgotten cars and connecting fans with genuine automotive stories.
