Hi Jim. To 'enlighten you" I purchased a new MGB with wire wheels,
blackwalls and radio for $3586.00 (serial number gnh5UC280214. (if the
current owner wants the orginial paperwork, just let me know)as a present
to myself after VN. And as far as the value of the current MGB I drive
(79), it is measured by the joy I experience whenever it fires up for a run
to the NH mountains....if I added up what I have put into it, the total
would approach my neighbors expenses to join the local country club and the
green fees he spends each weekend....and his wife doesn't golf!!!
At 09:36 AM 2/25/99 -0500, Jim Higgins wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>Without knowing the history of this car, it is hard to know if this was
>a sound "investment".
>
>I do not know what MGBs sold for in 1972 (I hope someone could enlighten
>me!), but, for sake of argument, let's say it cost $8,000. A return of
>100% in 27 years would not keep pace with a 3% inflation rate! (I don't
>know what inflation has averaged over the last 27 years, but,
>remembering the hyper-inflation of the late seventies, I would have to
>guess about six or seven percent). He could have done much better with
>CDs or a money market account.
>
>We must also address the cost of this "investment". As Allen pointed
>out above, cars deteriorate over time, whether they are driven or not.
>Since this was a "show winner", we can assume that it was in very good
>condition. Was this car driven? At what cost was it restored? If not
>driven, what cost was storage and upkeep? Did he need to keep another
>vehicle so that he could "lovingly maintain" the MGB? What costs were
>associated with going to shows (travel, preparation, time) so that it
>could achieve this "show winner" status?
>
>One of the great aspects of this hobby is that it can be approached on
>many different levels. Some people like to keep their cars in showroom
>condition. Some people like to return cars to showroom condition. Some
>people like to let their cars age gracefully. Some people like to make
>modifications to their cars so that they have a more modern feel. I
>like taking a worn car and giving it new life. Each of these approaches
>certain costs and benefits associated with them, but I don't think you
>could ever find a "return on investment" that could even hope to keep up
>with inflation let alone "appreciate" in any meaningful way.
>
>There are many great joys and benefits given to us by our work on these
>cars, but a "return to investment" is not one of them. Just trying to
>keep things in perspective.
>
>
>Jim Higgins
>1962 MGA (waiting to resume a useful role in society)
>1958 TR3A (It's Alive! It's Alive! now if it would only warm up enough
>for glue to set I could put the trim in)
>
>PS: This, of course, applies to the amateurs among us. Parts suppliers,
>mechanics, restorers and others are supplying us with goods we require
>and must recapture their investments and profit from them to continue.
>
>
>
>Mgbreh@aol.com wrote:
>>
>> A member of my mg club recently sold his 1972 b for get this $16,000 yes
16k
>> it is a very very nice car it won best of show in its class twice so who
says
>> mg's dont appreciate.
>> Ray Huff
>> 741/2bgt 76 roadster
>> vp mgccnwc
>
>
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