John----
I completely agree with what you're saying. That's exactly why I presented the analysis that I did regarding the possible number of combinations for a 69 Corvette. I also agree that certain options are rare and that fact is well-documented. That's why I deleted them from consideration in my analysis. What I was trying to show is that whenever someone makes some claim regarding the "rarity" of a certain COMBINATION of options, the same argument could be made for virtually ANY combination of options. It's a farcical attempt on the part of someone to create this ethereal quality of "rarity" or, to be more specific, "I've got something that no one else has".
The example that I raised relative to the 65 Corvette was simply to show that "rarity" does not always equate to "desirability". Corvettes that were originally delivered in primer were rare, but would you want to drive one around the way it came from the factory?
By the way, the existance of some of these low-optioned cars like I described does not necessarily mean that anyone was a "cheapskate". In the 60s, and continuing to this day, dealers like to have ads which say "Model Xs Available for under $3,999." This is what's called a "price leader". In the 60s, dealers did this with respect to Corvettes, too. Consequently, some ordered stripped down Corvettes as a price leader. Eventually, someone had to buy them, though. In fact, I remember a very famous test conducted by Car Life Magazine in 1969 of every engine and transmission available in 69 Corvettes. One of the cars that they tested was a 300 hp, 3-speed manual car with radio the only option. It belonged to a San Diego policeman by the name of Mike Cincierelli. He bought it from a local dealer that had ordered it as a price leader. I still have that magazine. In fact, it's the one that I used to tick off the options that I later ordered for my 69. The tick marks are still in it.
I completely agree with what you're saying. That's exactly why I presented the analysis that I did regarding the possible number of combinations for a 69 Corvette. I also agree that certain options are rare and that fact is well-documented. That's why I deleted them from consideration in my analysis. What I was trying to show is that whenever someone makes some claim regarding the "rarity" of a certain COMBINATION of options, the same argument could be made for virtually ANY combination of options. It's a farcical attempt on the part of someone to create this ethereal quality of "rarity" or, to be more specific, "I've got something that no one else has".
The example that I raised relative to the 65 Corvette was simply to show that "rarity" does not always equate to "desirability". Corvettes that were originally delivered in primer were rare, but would you want to drive one around the way it came from the factory?
By the way, the existance of some of these low-optioned cars like I described does not necessarily mean that anyone was a "cheapskate". In the 60s, and continuing to this day, dealers like to have ads which say "Model Xs Available for under $3,999." This is what's called a "price leader". In the 60s, dealers did this with respect to Corvettes, too. Consequently, some ordered stripped down Corvettes as a price leader. Eventually, someone had to buy them, though. In fact, I remember a very famous test conducted by Car Life Magazine in 1969 of every engine and transmission available in 69 Corvettes. One of the cars that they tested was a 300 hp, 3-speed manual car with radio the only option. It belonged to a San Diego policeman by the name of Mike Cincierelli. He bought it from a local dealer that had ordered it as a price leader. I still have that magazine. In fact, it's the one that I used to tick off the options that I later ordered for my 69. The tick marks are still in it.
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