[Healeys] Healeys at Mecum

[Bob Spidell]

Well, I was going to resurrect a recent thread about owners who demand only the 
cheapest possible parts from vendors--and bitch like crazy if they have to pay 
more than for a comparable Chevy part--may be damaging our suppliers in the same 
way, but decided not to.

I've been an Austin-Healey owner (paid extra for the hyphen) for over 26 years. 
  I bought my BJ8 at the end of the era when the clubs were more for sourcing 
parts than for social activities (some clubs maintained their own dismantling 
yards for parts).  Then, companies like Moss and VB came along and there was 
less/no need for the dismantlers and they disbanded.  If Moss--who is wisely now 
also sourcing parts for Miatas and Mustangs--can't make a go of it we may have 
to return to the dismantler era.

I do anticipate some resiliency in demand for our LBCs, however, as some people 
will refuse to drive nothing but cookie-cutter, electric/hybrid people movers (I 
bought my Bullitt Mustang partly in anticipation of this eventuality).  In 
hindsight, the outrageous recent prices paid for 'collector' cars--inspired 
largely by the muscle car mania (read: BJ)--was as much a bubble as dotcom 
stocks and real estate.  What we'll likely see is a return to normalcy; i.e. 
mostly hobbyists and fewer speculators.


bs



Greg Lemon wrote:
> Oh Randy, you may have a point, "How long are they going to stay in 
> business when it cost 2-3 times
> what a car is selling for to restore it."  ...
> 
> That being said I am more worried about demographics hurting the 
> availability of parts and services for "our cars" than car values, a 
> friend of mine just had a talk with one of the managers at Victoria 
> British ...
> 
> Greg Lemon

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Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net

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