The cost of buying parts

[Roy B.]

I was siting here thinking how many members bought their Corvette so many years ago realize if they had to buy parts NOW to restore their Corvette and adding the cost to do so would be more then they paid for their Corvette .

For my 55 I've collected many new or as we say NOS parts over the last 30 years

Air cleaner
Shielding
Carb
Starter
Headlight doors
Gages
Hub caps
Many small electrical parts
Many mechanical parts

Which now days is worth more then I paid for the Corvette $15,000 ,30 years ago! Which is unbelievable to think about!
In the 60's I was buying C1's for hundreds not thousands, AND today most cost more then my first home. Dam I'm getting OLD

[Jack H.]

Re: The cost of buying parts

This is a reasonably comment comment/critique, but it makes little economic sense...

Consider 1965. The DJIA was around 900 and whether you take today's 10K level as your basis or the recent, pre-recession, 14K level, you get an inflation factor of 10-15:1 when rationalizing the time value of money.

Plus, it's rather common knowledge that a car has one value. But, if you break it down into its constituent parts and sell them off individually you'll reap 2-3X the value of the car as a whole.

Bottom line, thought trains that disparrage the high cost of parts today don't 'wash', in my humble opinion...

[Rich P.]

Re: The cost of buying parts

I remeber back in '83 I was 1 year out of high school and went to Corvettes at Carlisle and saw a 69 coupe 435, black with silver leather interior, side pipes and loaded. It just had been repainted and they were looking for 12,900. Which was 6,000 more than what I had. That was one of the sweetest corvetts I had ever seen. Thinking back on that car you can't even get the motor for 12,900.

Rich

[Francis F.]

Re: The cost of buying parts

I was siting here thinking how many members bought their Corvette so many years ago realize if they had to buy parts NOW to restore their Corvette and adding the cost to do so would be more then they paid for their Corvette .

For my 55 I've collected many new or as we say NOS parts over the last 30 years

Air cleaner
Shielding
Carb
Starter
Headlight doors
Gages
Hub caps
Many small electrical parts
Many mechanical parts

Which now days is worth more then I paid for the Corvette $15,000 ,30 years ago! Which is unbelievable to think about!
In the 60's I was buying C1's for hundreds not thousands, AND today most cost more then my first home. Dam I'm getting OLD

Roy,
agree a few weeks ago I hung the front bumpers on my 66,& installed
the NOS grill.(All parts were purchased from the GM in 1978),when I calaulated these @ todays prices they would cost more than I paid
for the 66 in 1978.(the year I got the car)
gettin old beats the alternative....
Francis

[Roy B.]

Re: The cost of buying parts

This is a reasonably comment comment/critique, but it makes little economic sense...

Consider 1965. The DJIA was around 900 and whether you take today's 10K level as your basis or the recent, pre-recession, 14K level, you get an inflation factor of 10-15:1 when rationalizing the time value of money.

Plus, it's rather common knowledge that a car has one value. But, if you break it down into its constituent parts and sell them off individually you'll reap 2-3X the value of the car as a whole.

Bottom line, thought trains that disparrage the high cost of parts today don't 'wash', in my humble opinion...

Jack! you made my brain hurt , I just whodunit wont to have to restore my 55 today. My money went further then it does today.

[Larry S.]

Re: The cost of buying parts

But how come when I want to sell a NOS part nobody wants to buy it?

[Roy B.]

Re: The cost of buying parts

But how come when I want to sell a NOS part nobody wants to buy it?

That's to easy to answer , can you say repro?? there "cheaper" and sooo pretty some years ago I tried to sell a few nos 55 and 57 air cleaner in a box for $1,200.00, and was told I'm nuts when they can get a repro for $800.00. go figure and I still have them and no there not for sale now, I'll trade them some day for what I wont.
Even today I try to show and tell the difference between each parts , but if it's repro'ed or not judged few care.

[Bill B.]

Re: The cost of buying parts

I'm waiting for the prices to reflect the economy. Looks like a stalemate. You would think the repo people would lower their prices to encourage buyers. They do have control and the luxury to regulate prices. Most owners will have to wait this one out, or just buy parts that are necessary. The majority of my local club members are on a fixed income, and thats hurting this hobby. Corvette parts should be slightly higher then other car parts, but this is ridiculous.

Bill Berger

1961 Black/Silver/Red Int. 283/315 FI
power windows. Frame off 65% completed.
1989 White/hard top/Grey Int. daily driver 167,000 miles

"The problem with Liberalism is that eventually you run out of other people's money" - Margaret Thatcher