Re: [CR] amazing price for 1970 raleigh

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

From: "Charles Andrews" <chasds@mindspring.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:00:08 -0800
Subject: Re: [CR] amazing price for 1970 raleigh


Don Gillies posted:

Well, at least it was a happy valentine's day for SOMEONE ...

http://ebay.com/<blah>

$1351 + $90 shipping. I think this is definitely a record price for a Raleigh that's NOT NIB/NOS (note that two NOS/NIB mid-70's bikes were sold in the $2000-$3000 range a few years ago on ebay.) Wowie !!!

- Don Gillies San Diego, CA, USA

**************

just to second John Barron's comments...I don't think this is a surprising outcome at all. That was a very clean piece, appeared all-original, or nearly, and those very early Raleigh Pros are quite difficult to come by in any condition, let alone as clean as that one.

A later Pro in similar condition might have gone for under a grand. But a Pro like this, so tough to find, and a decent size--not quite in the middle of the curve though--23" is on the big side--a 21-22" bike would likely have sold for even more.

I think John is also correct that the most desirable high-end vintage bikes are still under-valued, with the occasional exception. I'm still gobsmacked at the $3000 price that lovely chromed Herse randonee bike sold for not long ago, one of Alex's finds. Sure, it probably needed to be rechromed, but it was *totally original!* if I recall correctly. A bike like that is not easy to find anymore. And it was a perfect size for many people. That bike was a steal, whoever got it. I'm still kicking myself for not pulling the trigger on it myself.

It's a great time to be looking for these beauties. Not so great a time to sell them <g>

Charles Andrews Los Angeles

Q: "Why do people spoil everything for themselves?

A: "In big ways, and little ways too, people do that all the time to themselves. We can't stand prosperity. We have to tinker with the machinery."

--John D. MacDonald