Hey Greg:
?I think what you write in this message is somehow missing it... .
Bikes (or anything else) sell for differing amounts for many reasons, some of them having nothing to do with "quality" or "ride" or rarity... In the case of old things, mostly it is about nostalgia; what impact that particular object has in the buyer's psyche.?
In the case of this particular Peogeot UO-8, it probably sold for that amount because of the very very nice original condition, and the memories & associations that bike had to the buyer. To call a bike like that "junk" is a bit severe, many of us had many enjoyable hours of our lives riding similar machines. Compared to the Huffys & Schwinn Varsitiesm these bikes were dream boats! They were reliable and lively... certainly a Masi or whatever is much nicer but those super bikes were/are the Ferraris and Aston Martins of the bike world! Many of us also enjoyed our TR-3s and MGBs that were significantly below that level but still hold a special place in our memories..
<<?Is there a "collectors market" for nicely preserved examples of 70's bikes? >>
Of course! The key is the condition... there are many rusted and abused bikes that will go to the trash compacter, but really nice "time capsule" bikes like this will almost always find a nice market, no matter how "fancy" they were in that manufacturers product line.
Dale
Dale Brown
Greensboro, North Carolina USA
-----Original Message----- From: gwlone@yahoo.ca To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Fri, Jun 19, 2009 1:52 pm Subject: [CR] Premium price for 1974 Peugeot
Hi list. Did anyone else happen to notice a reported 1974 Peugeot that sold on eBay yesterday ,item # 300321790570.? It was in near mint condition , but only a bottom of the barrel UO8 and it sold for $370.00 !.? I have seen many at garage sales in the $20.00 -$50.00 range and have been given several thru the years by well meaning people who are aware of my interest in old bikes. The price; while not astronomical, can provide a far superior vintage ride if one looks around?. Or be a pretty fair down payment on a vastly better on topic bike in a more used state.?That Masi a week or so ago comes to mind. ?Is there a "collectors market" for nicely preserved examples of 70's bikes? ?Even if they are bottom of the line bike boom junk? Or is there a new generation of vintage steel fans who don't know the difference between a UO8 and a PX 10? Or am I looking at a better retirement than I had planned when I?eBay all the 70's?carcasses that sit in a heap at the back of my junk shed. You know the ones , they should have been deposited in the recycling bin years ago, But you keep them around in case someone asks you for a part for their latest garage sale find. ? Greg Lone Langley B.C. Canada
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