EBay sale of Cadillac will benefit V&T

Every little bit helps the reconstruction of the Virginia & Truckee Railway, including the proceeds of the eBay sale of a donated 1977 Cadillac Eldorado.

Robin Bates donated his parents' white two-door Caddie to the railway's foundation because he's interested in the railroad.

When completed by 2010, the 18-mile V&T Railway will take tourists from Virginia City to Carson City. Local officials promise the track will be an economic boon to the area. The state commission charged with rebuilding the track on the historic right-of-way estimates the project will cost $40 million.

The Cadillac didn't have any bids on it as of Friday, a day after they put it on the Internet auction block, but Stephen Lincoln said he hopes it will sell for at least $7,500.

The bidding starts at $1,000 and ends Thursday.

The car has about 80,000 miles on it, and his stepmother and father kept it in good condition, Bates said.

Lincoln, vice president of the Northern Nevada Railway Foundation, said several Carson City businesses helped get the car ready to sell, such as Action Frame & Automotive and Prestige Auto Wash & Detail Center.

"We're hoping that we get interest locally from people who want to support the railway and from those who are looking for a real nice classic boat."

V&T Commissioner Janice Ayres said the money earned from the Cadillac sale will be beneficial to the commission because it isn't tied to federal sources.

"We're trying to raise money from nonfederal funds, not only to build the railroad, but to give the commission more flexibility when it has to do something like getting the Nye property."

The commission recently purchased 21 acres with $20,000 of Carson City taxpayers' money. The deal turned over in a few days because it was not purchased with federal funds. Land purchases made with federal funds require appraisals, which delays sales and gives an advantage to buyers who are not hindered by government processes.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.