Dear Friends,
Like most everyone else these days of the ultimate consumer, I enjoy
getting the market's reassurance that my judgment is sharp by buying low
and selling high.
I served as the Head of my Dept. some years ago, when you could have
"purchased" all the faculty, staff, and graduate students in Philosophy at
CMU for about $2.0M/year. The backup catcher for the Pirates got $2.5M
that year, and the Pirates finished out of the money.
As Paul reminds us, don't confuse selling price with value and don't
mistake an increase in price with an increase in value.
I think we all know that lesson except when we are taken with the prospect,
even for the moment, of having the rest of the sports-car market affirm our
"Roadster" values with their high prices.
Or, if it must be put it in the crass terms of that market -- consider my
Roadster interests entirely that of a "buyer," please!
Happy Holidays to all,
Teddy
69 2000
Pgh Pa
another OROC'er
At 07:44 AM 4/22/00 -0400, Paul wrote:
> I am opposed to escalating the prices of our beloved roadsters! I have
>been to too many car shows where the biggest discussion is how much the
>owner spent to have it restored and who does the detailing work to keep it
>so clean. Most of these owners have know idea of how to work on their cars.
>Many don't know the history of the marquee. And far too many don't even
>know the thrill of pushing one of their expensive, restored well beyond
>factory spec's and polished to a T cars, though a series of corners on a
>winding road. But they can all quote you what it costs!
> Most of what I read on this list is about the joys of working on our cars.
>The next biggest collection of stories is about who chased who up a mountain
>road and who managed to lose it in a turn. Why some of the list even race
>their roadsters! And of course there is the human side of the list also.
>The accidents, a few divorces, custody struggles and more than one of us has
>been out of work for a period of time. Some complain about these letters
>but I see it as part of the personality of these cars. They are available
>to the everyday enthusiast not just the rich and famous.
> When I head off for an OROC event, I am always excited about seeing if any
>new cars show up, but you know what? As nice as seeing another roadster is,
>meeting another enthusiast is even better. The people I have met are the
>best part of owning my roadster. In seven years of owning a show quality
>car prior to my 1600, I never met as many nice people and families.
> If the values climb to $25,000, so will the parts and the insurance.
>Suddenly people will start thinking twice before putting 500 miles on their
>cars just to attend a gathering in the next state. The free parts that are
>exchanges between club members as well as from coast to coast thanks to this
>list, will cease to exist. And unfortunately, so will many of the owners of
>today.
>
> I'm done; I've said me pieces, my $0.02 worth ( okay so maybe I went over
>the 2 cents limit, sue me!). But as I read back over what I have written,
>it still doesn't express how much against rising costs I feel!
>
>Paul Kort
>Ohio Roadster Owners Club
>1969 Datsun 1600 SPL311-25812
>Rescued from a barn in Salem, Ohio, and lovingly rebuilt over two years with
>much help from my wife and son, and this list of great car enthusiasts.
>Want to watch $$ go up, .... go play on Wall Street!
>
>(I feel I need to add a disclaimer that declares these are my feelings and
>not necessarily reflective of the Ohio Roadster Owners Club and it's
>membership. But I'm willing to bet, most would agree with me.)
>
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