Posted by Gordon Maney on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 11:22AM :
In Reply to: How has the value of the power wagonchanged? posted by Jim Chance on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 9:19AM :
In 1973 I bought a 1948 B1PW in running and driving condition. The only thing missing was the tailgate, otherwise it was in nice condition in terms of sheetmetal; probably average to somewhat lower in mechanical condition, and it had a winch. I paid $200 for that truck, driving it home, and driving it every day for several years after that, making various mechanical repairs, including the replacement of the engine.
About a year later I got another 1948 B1PW with very nice sheetmetal, a fair to poor tailgate, no winch, and the truck did not run. It had two wonderful pieces of original literature in the glove box. I paid $200 for that truck and was very happy to get it.
From what I can see by observing private sales and sales by dealers, the trucks today would bring $5,000-$7,000 under the right circumstances. I think many of us have become discouraged by what has happened to prices. Many of us could not afford to get into the hobby today. Sure, it is nice to have something you own appreciate, but then if you are buying something, parts or a truck, it can get to be less fun/possible.
This trend will never end.
Enthusiasts have the perpetual wish to buy as cheaply as possible and sell as high as possible. Increasingly, it is not possible to maintain a barrier between the two experiences, as numbers decline and accessibility to information grows. Many of us think ebay is all at once fascinating, inspiring, and horrifying. Witness the astounding price fetched recently by a pair of fenders.
When you ask how it has changed, I do not know if you mean how much, or why. They “why” of it is inflation, of course, and a declining population of trucks and parts. The “how much” aspect will be, I am sure, detailed as this thread grows.
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