As the proud owner of a 1974 P13-9 paramount, I can only say, "It's about time" and "They can only go up from here, oh yeah, baby !!!"
Actually, all kidding aside, I think people should notice that there is somewhere between $125 and $150 in parts hanging on this $300 frame (like-NOS headset($80), bottom bracket($30-$50), seat bolt($5-$10)).
Also, remember the guy had the guts to open the listing at $0.99 which draws in a big healthy contingent of competitive bidders! All this is probably enough to explain the healthy price that this frame appears to have obtained (roughly $525-$550 not including the installed parts.)
Given that the frame is advertised and appears to be in "almost NOS" condition, I don't think that $550 for a new double-butted alloy frame is all that much, lots of people would pay that much for a much uglier surly steamroller and they pay $200 more for a Soma Speedster with similar chromed lugs and crown !! Moreover, 1974 and 1975 were "ex-bikeboom = bust" years for the bike industry, so a campy grouppo (PAT 74) should be cheap and easy to obtain, ergo, when you buy this frame you also get a valuable asset, "no headaches ..."
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA