I've noticed the same thing - and I think that people either desperately
want to build their own cars despite the higher cost, or they don't realize
that it costs far more to build a car than it does to buy one already built!
I had a just-finished MG Midget for sale last year, with $15,000 in parts
cost and paint alone in it, not to mention my labour! I had run it just
enough to sort it, and I had two engines prepared (1275 and 948) to full
race spec. I tried to get about 70% of my cost for it (about $10k - $11k)
for what was essentially a brand new car, with no takers, or even serious
tire-kickers!
I decided to keep it, and sell my Cooper S instead. It's a fair car, but
definitely not just restored - it's a ten year old race car with a loose
motor that still runs strong, and so on. It would cost more to get it into
the same shape as the Midget would go for, AND you had to buy it in the
first place! (to be honest, the gentleman who bought it got a great deal,
and he's building a three Mini team for his three daughters, so I can't
really fault him buying the Mini rather than the Midget)
it's a good thing we do this for fun...
>
>Right on Myles!, the market for used ALFA race cars, particularly the coupes:
>Jrs and GTVs is almost non existant. I saw 2 eye popping examples at the
>Phoenix race with $18000 price tags and no takers. I dont really understand
>it, they are wonderful race cars that can't be reproduced for half the price
>but no one is buying them. Despite this, the vintage race grids are
>increasing at a steady rate. Whats going on out there? I have a buddy in
>Chicago with a concours winning, race ready GTV that is a rocket!, I drove it
>at RoadAmerica last year and it was terrific. He has almost $75,000 invested
>and after his heart attack he put it up for sale for $30,000. He is down to
>$15000 with no offers and the car languishes at Orion in Omaha. Perhaps there
>are just too darn many ALFA sedans.
>Don SF
>
Brian Evans
Director, ISP Marketing
UUNET Canada Inc.
20 Bay Street, Suite 1910
Toronto, ON, M5J 2N8
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