Herb:
I agree with most of what you said.... but disagree somewhat. Your
theory is correct for cars of relative rarity ('63 Vette) and high value.
Unfortunately (or fortunately... depends how you look at it) this is not the
case for
"normal" LBC's.
<<Clearly, a 5 speed makes the cars more roadworthy and the 1275 is a stronger
engine. However,
the question was essentially which retains its value better. (More
accurately stated which one will you lose less money on.) My contention is
that the more original a car remains the easier it is to sell should you
want to.>>
This is correct... to a point. There is a large market for "stock"
cars, but I bet you'd have an easier time selling a 1275 disc-braked
5-speed Bugeye for the same money as a stock one. Why? I've been
shopping for just a 1275 Bugeye for 3 years. I see lots of stock
ones, but the ones "appropriately" modified are either not for sale or
bring higher prices. Your point of "losing money" though is
valid. Assuming spending "no" money to keep it stock versus spending
big bucks to modify it... you're ALWAYS better off staying stock.
<<For example, in my opinion (no empirical evidence) a relatively unmolested
bugeye with 948 and smooth case tranny would be easier to sell than the V8
bugeye that has been discussed lately. That is simply because the market
is larger and the supply is smaller.>>
Not quite. The supply of V8 Bugeyes is MUCH smaller. That's why I
paid to transport this one from FL to WI. How many of these have you
ever seen? But I definitely agree that the market for such a car is
also MUCH smaller... because a V8 Bugeye is not nearly as desirable
as a stock piece or even a 1275 modification to the general collector.
Still, I bet it would sell quickly were I so inclined due to the
scarcity of supply.
<< Theoretically, any bugeye can be stripped down and have a V8 shoe horned
in.>>
But then you have to do this. If you don't have the fabrication
skills yourself (I don't) then the costs of doing it would be
prohibitive. It's back to your "which will you lose more money on"
question. You're absolutely right that if you paid to have this done,
you'd lose your shirt.
<<Reversing the process is not nearly as easy. (Ask Pamela Anderson about
returning to her natural cup
size.)>>
And why would you want to when there are thousands of "normal" Bugeyes (and cup
sizes) out there?
In the end, though, I agree with you. I would never cut up a decent
Bugeye up to drop in a V8 nor would I expect to recoup my investment
in installing a Toyota 5 speed. When I do modify an original car, I
try to do so in a way that's easily reversible... and save the
original bits.
The values of a modified car will come and go with trends. The value of a
stock car is relatively stable.
Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI
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