eBay seller's commercial for 1996 used Honda went viral and drove up bids

The viral success of Max Lanman's commercial to sell his fianci(C)e's 1996 Honda Accord forced eBay to shut down bidding for the car after offers reached $150,000.

It was quite a surprise for the writer/director from Los Angeles, considering the car was initially posted with a selling price of $499.

An advertisement filled with a series of sleek camera shots and a storyline establishing a lifelong relationship between the car and driver has the ability to attract consumers to pay more for things worth far less. Lanman says eBay's fraud department couldn't understand how a 1996 Honda could fetch such a price and canceled the auction, according to NBC. Ebay told the couple to restart the auction.

As of around Wednesday afternoon, the top bid has reached $5,100 since making its second appearance two days ago.

Watch as aerial views of a car with 141,095 miles hitting turns along scenic routes can transform an old Japanese piece of machinery into a luxury automobile. Via NBC Bay Area:

Far from disappointed, though, the couple continues to marvel at how "surprising and overwhelmingly positive" their experience has been. "This was definitely an unexpected turn," Lanman acknowledged, "but we have faith that everything will work itself out. Overall, we're just so grateful for all that has happened with the commercial and the story. It's been truly amazing."