Rick is right, it is a supply and demand world. And it is the buyers that are driving up the prices. Everybody wants the same parts so you either ante up the money or cry along with everyone else. If I knew back when I started my project that prices would be where they are today, I would not have bought a Buick. If I ever do another resto, I will leave the semi-rare stuff to the investors because that is what is happening to this hobby, and I will go semi-generic (Chevy or Ford) because of the repro parts available. You can just about build a complete taiwanese tri-five Chevy, Chevelle, or Mustang right out of a catalog, just add VIN. I read allot of people on this board that question why kids have ricers instead of musclecars, and part of the answer is that kids want something that is in good condition just like us, but they can't afford $735 mirrors, $700 overflow tanks, $500 bumper plates, $1000 grilles, and $1200coresupports so instead of having a bondoed up, chrome pitted car, they buy something newer and put a big wing and big muffler on it. JMHO
when i started restoring cars in the mid 60's it was mid 30's converts, and when they would win a national or two would sell for 40,000 to 45,000 bucks and we were getting 15.00 bucks an hour. the worse part was they had open fenders and you had to finish both sides. it has not changed much you just need to have the forsite to now what to collect before it is collectable.
I saw a very nice 70 RH mirror last spring at a swap meet in Chicago, not NOS but very nice. Guy was asking $175.00 for it. I passed it up ( too much ) now after seeing whats happening on EBAY, I keep muttering to myself "stupid,stupid,stupid me" Kevin
Man I tell you, every time I see this stuff in the bone yard (pretty rare now) I collect it. Got a beautiful LH tri shield mirror a couple of years ago, some perfect grill trim, yada yada yada. I only hold this stuff in case I need it later. Nothing like getting clobbered once in your classic to make you hoard stuff. I bet I got one of very last $120 grills from Year One back in '95.
anyone looking for a LH tri-sheild mirror?? haha my 70 had one i took it off and put a regular mirror on it guess im glad i did!!! mine is pitted and the chrome is cracked in a few places i bet its NOS or maybe even original gonna check on that!! could really use the cash from selling it but i bet i'd kick myself in the a$$ if i did!! Rich Martel 70 GS 455 BPG #1599:3gears:
