Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (June 2006, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Fri, 23 Jun 2006 22:55:04 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      Re: Loaf Westy on ebay w/36K for $11K and rising: List bias
              observation
In-Reply-To:  <270.b7e7793.31cce906@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; delsp=yes; format=flowed

It's at $15K now and rising. The value is in originality, particularly the type of originality that comes with low mileage. There are a good many aspersions cast on this list at folks who value

original condition over "improvement" modifications. I ask them: Which is worth more, a 1957 Jaguar with with the original engine, or with a much better Chevy V8? An MGA with a 1500 CC original engine, or an 1800 MGB replacement? In the short term, the so-called improvements work well and are desirable. In the long term, they are detrimental to value.

If you think that your non-factory modifications are going to be worth more in 10 years than a stock vanagon--I used the Jaguar example because of course the Chevy engine is more reliable and powerfule than the original twin-cam six, not to mention that the parts are dirt cheap, and it is a conventional replacement for the original--then you are arguing that a complete change is going to happen in the market for classic cars and classic car owners. It never has happened and isn't about to because of VW vans.

And these vanagons, like the rest of the VW transporter family, are destined to be classics. Just give them time.

The rule of long-term car value is the same as the rule for winning car shows: it can be better, but not different.

Jim

On Jun 23, 2006, at 1:49 AM, Jeff Oxroad wrote:

> Them is Syncro prices. > > If your interested this looks like a nice 79 Westy allegedly with 36K > original miles according to the ad. There are 9 days left on the > bidding and it's > already up to $11k and the reserve has not been met. > > The interior looks real nice in the pics, but the exterior paint > looks a > little phishy. > > It's not mine and I'm not buying it, and I'm not selling it. I'm not > suggesting you buy it either, but it's nice to look at. > And, according to the ad "Mechanically, you’ll be handling the most > advanced drivetrain VW ever manufactured for the vintage Baywindow

> bus. " > > _http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Free-Delivery-1979-VW-Bay-Westy-Pop-

> Top-Camper > -Van- > Tent_W0QQitemZ4652621597QQihZ002QQcategoryZ15291QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem_ > (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Free-Delivery-1979-VW-Bay-Westy-Pop-

> Top-Camper-Va > n- > Tent_W0QQitemZ4652621597QQihZ002QQcategoryZ15291QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) > > Best, > Jeff > 83.5 Westy > LA,CA >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.