David,
I caught your recent post about the price guide. While I don't want to
necessariliy defend the prices listed there are a few points that you might
want to consider.
1) With the 3 Lotuses you mentioned there is a very wide range of cars
available within those models that have different specs, engines or
configurations, not to mention histories. If you noticed the range of
prices in the guide from level I to Level III it is very wide +/- $20,000
on a car that the estimated top is $50,000. This wide range reflects all
the variations and permutations that may be available.
2) Also the market is constantly changing, especially when it comes to
auction prices such as the one you mentioned. Sometimes, someone gets lucky
and buys a car under value. A good eleven with history for $37,500 is a
steal!!! I wish I could have bought that!!!!
3) Perhaps the most salient point, is that tracking these prices is a HUGE
undertaking. On occasion we may very well be high or low on a particular
model or two. These are meant to be GUIDES. As time progresses and we
gather more info and data, it is my hope that these will become ever more
exact.
Thanks for the input
Casey Annis, Managing Editor
Vintage Racecar Journal
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> From: DWhitesdJr@aol.com
> To: MRogers726@aol.com
> Cc: vintage-race@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: new Mag Vintage Racecar--LOOKS GOOD!
> Date: Wednesday, August 26, 1998 10:28 PM
>
> In a message dated 8/26/98 11:16:45 PM Central Daylight Time,
> MRogers726@aol.com writes:
>
> << uniquely, I think, a value guide for these cars. >>
>
> The only problem I noticed with the value guide section of Vintage
Racecar
> Journal and Market Report is that the market guide is prepared by people
who
> have those types of cars for sale. Within the past three months, #1
condition
> Lotus Mk IX and 23s have traded for 20% to 50% less than the prices
listed in
> the value guides. A nice Lotus Eleven sold at auction for $37,500 yet
the
> Market Guide lists its value as $70,000. I suspect the same is true for
the
> other Marques. Despite the claim that "prices are based on known selling
> prices" the prices listed in the Market Guide are closer to "asking" or
"hoped
> for" prices than actual selling prices. Let the buyer beware!
>
> David Whiteside
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