Steve-
You may want to doubt the "reality" of the recent $7K+ Hetchins auction, but let me assure you that the reality *I* know is that some "real" collectors are showing their willingness to pay what it takes to but top-quality bikes and parts. By the way, do you know the person who bought that Hetchins? My guess is that if you did, you would be more respectful about his purchase decision.
Sadly or gladly, prices continue to go higher. I have been buying and selling vintage racing bikes and parts for more than 13 years and I have watched interest and prices increase. In the last 2 years there has been a dizzying number of new names on both the CR list and eBay. I want to give these people the benefit of the doubt and say that they are not idiots- they probably worked hard for their money, and they spend it carefully. (It's implied that people who spend more than you would are not in touch with reality).
Your reality is not everyone's reality. In my opinion, (and the buyer's opinion) the super-neat bikes and parts that come up for sale lately, are often-times undervalued. I've been prudent about the bikes that I have acquired for my collection. I didn't buy them to make money. BUT, I could easily quadruple my money if I sold them today. My guess is that there are dozens of other collectors on this list who would say the exact same thing.
I've accepted the fact that interest in these bikes is growing for the same reason that we got interested in them. As we share *our* passion and knowledge with others, *their* passion grows. As demand for these bikes grows, so does price. It's happened with lots of other collectibles in the past, and it will happen with all kinds of collectibles in the future.
I'm not saying that you or anyone has to be happy about it, but I wish you wouldn't disrespect the folks who spend the money to buy the bikes that they really want. I just spent $3,500 to buy a bike that others might call a piece of junk. I won't share my excitement about this bike with the CR list for fear of being told, (in so many words) that I am not in touch with reality.
John Barron
Minneapolis Minnesota
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 15:24:40 +0000
From: Steve Maas <bikestuff@nonlintec.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Another nice Hetchins
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For those of you still reeling from the $7K Hetchins, and in need of
some ballasting by reality: Ebay item 160048179834
Superspecial or possibly a Nulli Secundus. Seems to have been subjected
to a low-class respray, which is now pretty beat up. Starting bid seems
a bit high, considering its condition. Still, someone could have a lot
of fun turning this into a very pretty bike. Tempting, as it's arguably
within my range of acceptable sizes, I'm only about sixty miles from the
seller this week, and I'm allowed one more piece of luggage for the trip
home...
Steve Maas
(Reporting from)
Hitchin, Herts., UK