aardvark

I suspect my acquaintance (not buddy) is after 200mph, not just the 170 record.

Yes, I sort of did the same, gutting the 3EE to keep the ‘look’… but instead of going with a small battery inside it, I left the battery case empty and relocated a Group 24 to the trunk, Good idea, MFG..... I'll keep that in mind.. The acquaintance I know modifying the 63 Avanti will likely go into full ground effects and spoilers., so there are those out there totally modifying these cars. That takes on total modifications to the fiberglass. To me, to make sense out of all He's doing He likely picked up His Avanti on the cheap..I never asked Him about the specifics of that.

Well, I re-supported my box. It was cracked in one corner and I fiberglassed 4 layers on it... but yeah the battery is crap.. I went thru 3 of em in 1 year before I put a trickle charger on it .I do like the old look of the design... it's quite unique in style.. Saw one guy cut the battery open and remove the guts.. He installed a new battery inside of the original box... just to keep that Retro Look.

That's pretty much my stance for my '63' R2, since its condition is 90% great and no need for major upgrades,.(cept brakes as said earlier) .....I don't see the need for a trunk mounted battery and I've read all the weight distribution and other points. Diehard still makes the stock battery, which is crap, but I keep a mini charger on it constantly. The points You've pointed out can easily be reverted back to stock.... if desired.

Some good feedback, and I agree with all points expressed. We still haven't heard from those doing like that Acquaintance of mine....LS 3's and all Hi Perf. Also the doing massive bodywork changes. Ron... I would own Your Dolenz car if funds were available... Ya had me drooling on my boots.

There are differing intents and desires as Car Owners. Some live for every nut and bolt being 100% original. Others really don't care and go for Mods and Upgrades to suit their needs. Where do You fit into the mix? Me personally,, I have a '63' R2 that is a 100% original vehicle in very good condition. The only intent I have for Upgrades or Mods is on the brakes. I'm planning on going to Turner Brakes with a dual master cylinder. My reason is we live in an area of steep mountains with twisty curves. I will save the Original Parts in case the next Owner wants to convert back.. And then... A acquaintance up the road is tearing His '63' down, putting a LS3, 600hp engine with Tremec 5 speed... Modifying the suspension and all Hi Performance upgrades. His intent is to go to the Salt Flats and surpass the 170mph land speed record.. I personally support either direction, but have one thing to add... IF You have a truly 100% example in very good condition. wouldn't it be prudent to keep it that way for no other reason but a Financial one? Common sense and the Markets sorta support my thought here.... IF your starting with a needy vehicle with a a lot of expense needed to bring it to 100%, then all bets are off and decisions need made. Thoughts? Opinions?

There are a few options in the "For Sale" section that I found interesting.. Take a look , Friends.

Here in N.C. they've dropped emission standard and testing .. They do have a Safety Inspection though. Calif has it bad... the Proposed Jay Leno Law failed and now ALL Cars must meet a form of emission standards. I don't know how far reaching that is, however. It was Jay Leno's point was, Collector Vehicles were not a threat due to their lack of general use (as MFG points out). Wouldn't it be interesting if He packed His bags and moved His Operation out of State?

If my funds were not tied up I would be a serious buyer..

Same Back

It's a beef.. You just showed me again.... twice in 3 paragraphs ..Thus You deserve no further response .

Bob.. So what is your beef with me? Assuming again? Yes I started a thread and it's went 6 pages ..Some ballistic and some reasonable.. You determine where You fit. (I have my opinion) The subject spans a myriad of experiences and methods...That was my intent is to not only see pricing for our vehicles but others experiences..

Agree, but many just want to rag on others for their methods.. Sometimes a stand seems to be proper.

Ron.. I started the thread to see how others approach buying and selling. I don't cut down others. What I do do is state my methods and thoughts... Take them or leave them... Seems like my methods hit a nerve in some and they get obstinate about things.. They can buy/sell/enjoy as they see fit. ..................... Nice barn full of vehicles..Bro-Man

Bob. You assume too much when it comes to my methods and motives. I haven't, and won't do that of You.. Who has animosity? Look back at your allegations and opinions. If You've lost on nearly every vehicle You've owned... You're a ''Typical American". We as Americans spend more on Vehicles than Housing... Sad part is Vehicles generally depreciate but Housing increases in value. So in general the largest expense used to be Housing but that has shifted over the decades.. Now it's vehicles. My background is as an Architect and Builder as well as a Designer of other items. I try my best to move forward financially... not sustain losses every time a New Model of vehicle comes out (pointing to New Car Byers here), How UnAmerican of Me. So... IF You are losing on most every vehicle, You might be a future seller, but in Your case I highly doubt it, Your wise enough to not sell less than market, so to me,, Your out.

Bob. I don't make moves to lose. I have had 67 vehicles in my life. I've lost on very few. The few I've lost on have given me a little wisdom.. There is a top to what I can put out and right now. I'm near that but why do You see it as a problem? The assets are in house and in time they move and get replaced... This year is a shift.\ Also when profit is no longer a factor... in my opinion, You lose touch with sensibility. It's an expensive game and every transaction is to be studied. I know this goes against the Hobbyists in general, So be it.... You might be a future seller... Beware.

MFG As. said in multiple ... this is a Hobby and Business at the same time. Every deal I've made on vehicles I meet the sellers expectations so there is never a hard feeling finishing the deals. No Stealing..IF that's the implication,... (In fact the '02' Avanti I gave the seller full asking price) The purchase numbers are real and the profits are already in place ''at time of purchase''. What I'm seeing is these values have escalated over the 2 years I've owned the 3 vehicles I listed (above). So I'm better than my 50% goal on the profit margin. You see, the upside is I get to own and drive these beauties without fear of financial losses. That, my Friend is Goal. #1... Goal #2 is I eventually move on and profit well. (Got the Porsche and a VW up ''for sale'' now to possibly cover the Avanti purchases and then all is well on my financial front.)

Bob I never could run on emotions for a purchase. Financially it was never possible and IF I did that, I couldn't afford to be in this Hobby/ profession (however You view it). I have to approach a deal as having a 50% profit margin or the deal is dead... Why?...I know there will be some repairs and modifications needed IF I can't buy with a profit margin, I can't continue on buying the next one... You see. me selling off at a profit is paramount to me continuing. Current history is a 928 Porsche bought for $16k... a '63, R2 Avanti at $16k...a '02' Avanti for $19k. All are wonderful;l examples and are (as You call them) good drive, low mileage cars in near excellent condition. I have 2 other VW purchases as well. So at present a few things are up for sale to re-coup my losses as well as pump up the $$ stockpile. I'm far from wealthy and live on Soc Sec'y with a few side incomes..None of this would be possible if I went in to this venture with financial losses, a infatuation of a brand or needing multi $$$ restorations. These MUST profit or I'm financially dead in the water. For those of You in different financial states, Carry on. Generally it's folks who are not burdened with finances that are my sellers. MFG. We've been thru this before but my stance is that of a Business Model as well as a Hobbyist.. They can run synergistically.

Bob.. very well stated and sensical. I also agree with Your R2's values and assessment of how they are figured,,, due to condition. Whether we use a 1-10 scale or come at it from a different angle are similar in methodology. There are condition guidelines to follow whether some agree or not. The first thing needed excluded from that process is ''Emotion''. Some disagree wholeheartedly that the Transactions are Business Like. I hold strong to that fact. You can easily get hosed if walking into a deal with an emotional bent and a "Gotta have it!" attitude. Thanks Bob

Be Same!

MFG. No. It was Manufactured and sold as a Product. You / I can glamorize or Love the Product as we see fit but it is a conglomeration of parts Factory Assembled and then sold. I do Love me some HP and these Cars are quite a unique item.. That said, they are a Product. In my case a heavily desired Product. Just call em what they are,, then add Your own twist to it. I keep saying I'm done.... but keep getting challenged on my opinions.

Done... MFG... You can glamorize anything You want but a Car was produced... thus Product.

Skip.. I started the thread to invite opinions. It turned into a pissing match which is sad to see those in this forum degrade themselves while disrespecting others. I'll think hard before wasting my time entering opinions with low expectations of future childish crap.

Sheesh.. I edited out what I was going to say. It is always interesting what people will say to each other when not face to face, but instead on Internet. Civility gets lost.

I stated this thread as an opinion point, to hopefully list some common sense to help buy and sell our products. Last thing I expected is a pissing match on said issues. Sorry MFG... I said I was out but this needed said. Now I'm out.