Re: [CR]Confente "Scam" ends

(Example: Events)

Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 00:47:56 -0700
To: "C. Andrews" <chasds@mindspring.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Joseph Bender-Zanoni" <jfbender@umich.edu>
Subject: Re: [CR]Confente "Scam" ends
In-Reply-To: <001a01c0f872$07accfe0$719afea9@chasds>


Charles said:
>
>Some of these bikes will always have some value. But not
>many. How many marques from the 1930s can anyone name, let
>alone say they own? Very few of us even care at all about
>these items (some of us do, I know...but very, very few of
>us, which is my point).

This is a good point. I have an avid interest in six day bikes but I would guess there are not 200 other people seriously interested in this era in the country. A great looking Pop Brennan, known to have been owned by a top rider went for $1500 or so an Ebay a couple of years ago. I doubt (pure guess coming) that Pop Brennan made all that many bikes (150?, 300?) and they were almost all owned by professional racers but the market, while solid at $1500 or less is by no means strong or clearly appreciating.

I think the demand for vintage lightweights is correctly analysed as very thin. Current prices and communication will bring a lot of bikes out of the garages.

A digression: I bargained with Joe Nevelle for about 2 years on and off to buy my Brennan. He was a pro, and I mean pro, car salesman and couldn't bear to sell the bike for less than the maximum. At that time I called the bargaining no supply and no demand. In the end I think he relented because he knew the bike would be in good hands.

Joe Bender-Zanoni