Story time- We searched high and low for replacement soles for my grandma's high button shoes- found a set in Indy for $$$$$$$. When asked why they were so expensive the owner said ' they dont make em any more, where R U going to find another set?'. sort of like old car parts, even cars in general? I complained to my brother, 2 yrs younger than me, about the price of the dash wiring I bought from RI Wiring, in spite of its originality and high quality. Using his wisdom he responsed 'have you priced a harness for a new car lately?". And in that light, I replaced the alternator on my 3.0 Probe V6 3 yrs ago, what was it , $300.00??? And replacement rotors- at least $75???? And air conditioning condenser including labor like $325+ ??? I just paid $28 for a vac advance for my 41 Ply, and $40 for a pair of high tech 50 w. 6v. stop/turn bulbs. And on and on..... There was a REASON for being able to buy NORS glass taillite lenses for my 41 Ply for 50 cents each- Who the (&*(*(&@@!!!!!!! needs a box of 30 like that vendor? If it was a 41 Chevy they might be $3 to $5 due to bow tie popularity? Why do we see more Kustoms, even mild ones, what else R U going to do with that 50 Merc shell, the trim has been stripped, etc etc. SO U make a Kustom. The 'new' shaved and lowered and whatevered cars we see today are usually the resurrection of an almost unsalvageable mess, not the raping of a decent old driver. Now if one lives long enough, they might be lucky relative to their car. The age group that relates to a given era will die off and one might be able to buy a replacement car at a cheap price since all those that knew, loved, and coveted that model are dying and selling their cars, or unwilling or unable to maintain them. (get in line for my '41?) My 'new' 41 Plymouth, how many 20 somethings want it, want to drive it in todays traffic with its 87 hp and invisible taillights, etc etc????? And Model 'A''s, other than driving in parades or to a car show 100 miles or closer, whats it 'good' for???? All this related to the idea of a cycle in the desirability of cars relative to the generation that is living, vital, active. I no longer complain about parts costs- I am lucky to FIND the part let alone grumble about its cost. If it is sky high, a ripoff, one does not buy it?? And search another 3, 4, or 10 months for another--- remember this is supposed to be FUN.......(????) There is no justice here of course. Its just life. We can always go fishin'..... Lars And PS- onceit a while U will find a bargain- like the set of excellent 4 wheel covers for my 56 Plymouth I got for $5 (yes) but I gave the guy another ten anyway. Still cheap. Still in my garage. Still a bargain? Or just more 'stuff'??????????? |