Hi, John---
Others are much better at the Simplex part of this topic, so I can't really defend "the Joy of Simplex," however, I have seen early and variant versions of the Campagnolo Gran Sport and such sell for in excess of $1000 on ebay. I remember one particular "shoot out" between some Japanese collectors a few years back. The CR site may document some of these high-priced sales.
Cheerio,
Peter Jourdain
Whitewater, Wisconsin USA
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> Subject: [CR] Simplex
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> Whats so SPECIAL about the 543? One on Ebay with a start bid
> of $695.00! I have NEVER had any problems with Campag from
> the Gran Sport on BUT I never seen them for any where
> $695.00 Is this a case like the Hetchins frames, Price put
> way over, in my mind the TRUE VALUE by collectors?
> Cheers John Crump OldCamapgfanBrit, Parker, Co USA