TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:17 am

ZENVWDRIVER wrote:
REAL NICE
... and another 70s comparison: my 1950 11G cost me $250. I "estored" it and sold it 10 years later for $4500 - that guy drove it home, from NY to Mass and covered it. That was 1985.
In 2005, he uncovered it and sold it in California for $60,000.
I am currently in touch with the current owner and he is REALLY restoring it to the letter.
And that brings us back to my original point, what new enthusiast is going to shell out the kind of money necessary for a rusted out VW when they can buy a daily drivable Civic or Miata for less? Now that they're collectables, a lot of the people that are buying them are effectively using them as investments. That's what has changed.

Tue Jul 10, 2018 2:56 pm

TDCTDI wrote: ZENVWDRIVER wrote:
REAL NICE
... and another 70s comparison: my 1950 11G cost me $250. I "estored" it and sold it 10 years later for $4500 - that guy drove it home, from NY to Mass and covered it. That was 1985.
In 2005, he uncovered it and sold it in California for $60,000.
I am currently in touch with the current owner and he is REALLY restoring it to the letter.
And that brings us back to my original point, what new enthusiast is going to shell out the kind of money necessary for a rusted out VW when they can buy a daily drivable Civic or Miata for less? Now that they're collectables, a lot of the people that are buying them are effectively using them as investments. That's what has changed.

... completely agree....

Wed Jul 11, 2018 6:46 pm

Some random thoughts-
I for one, like buying used parts on TheSamba and never try to haggle-if the price is too high, I just don't buy it. I get it-someone buys a part and wants to make a few bucks or more likely, doesn't want to lose money on a part. I've listed a few items here-if they don't sell and I don't need 'em, I just toss it-I have enough junk lying around. The items I purchased from other Sambanistas were largely well described and shipped quickly.
When I was 19 in 1971, I bought a '66 T1 from a gas station for $600-I didn't even know how to drive it home, I had to ask the gas station attendant to give me a lesion. I drove that car into the ground but until then, I used Muir's book because it was all that was available and I was truly trying to keep my bug alive.
Now that I'm older and retired, I bought a '66 again along with a '62 to keep it company and these are the only cars I drive. I read somewhere that a hobby lasts about 7 years. My seven years aren't up yet and I still have a lot to do to restore them and now that I have the time and money, I plan to keep them but if I tire of them, they will go too, just like my collection of antique phonographs, TVs and radios. I didn't buy my cars as an investment-I bought them to be driven and enjoyed and worked on-I get a lot more enjoyment from working my cars then my other hobbies.

Wed Jul 11, 2018 8:18 pm

Man I’m 100% in agreement except for the lesion. 😀 spell ck is a mofo

Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:17 am

Gary Haberman wrote: Some random thoughts-
I for one, like buying used parts on TheSamba and never try to haggle-if the price is too high, I just don't buy it. I get it-someone buys a part and wants to make a few bucks or more likely, doesn't want to lose money on a part. I've listed a few items here-if they don't sell and I don't need 'em, I just toss it-I have enough junk lying around. The items I purchased from other Sambanistas were largely well described and shipped quickly.
When I was 19 in 1971, I bought a '66 T1 from a gas station for $600-I didn't even know how to drive it home, I had to ask the gas station attendant to give me a lesion. I drove that car into the ground but until then, I used Muir's book because it was all that was available and I was truly trying to keep my bug alive.
Now that I'm older and retired, I bought a '66 again along with a '62 to keep it company and these are the only cars I drive. I read somewhere that a hobby lasts about 7 years. My seven years aren't up yet and I still have a lot to do to restore them and now that I have the time and money, I plan to keep them but if I tire of them, they will go too, just like my collection of antique phonographs, TVs and radios. I didn't buy my cars as an investment-I bought them to be driven and enjoyed and worked on-I get a lot more enjoyment from working my cars then my other hobbies.

In 1975, I bought a 1955 Messerschmitt and really, even the seller did not know how to make it go. I bought it anyway and had a flat bed truck, bring it to my house... by and by, I learned to drive it and had it for 10 years -

Yikes, owning a car for only 7 years - I've had my single cab since 1995, had my Zwitter for 20 years, my 1968 Westy for 19, my MR2 for 14, my Ford van for 16... guess once I get in the habit (the rut) of having something around, it becomes part of me and my life.
LOL, I have some cars, only for investment - like my 1964 Karman Ghia. Have had it since 2014 and only drove it once, at purchase-time... keep it stored for a future sale only - believe I have doubled my money already.

... do agree that working on my cars can be more fun than driving them. When I was younger, i'd buy cars, with no intentions of ever driving them - only to play with them, at my leisure - one of my 1955 bug sis one, I currently have - it'll never be driven, only played with.

... have had over 30 cars at one time, mostly just for my amusement - am also retired now and am down to 11 cars... have my drivers and my play toys.

Collected and rebuilt old wood and canvas canoes for a spell and kept one, that our son says he wants - a 1905 Rushton, Indian Princess 15 footer... and old Victrola - kept one of them too... is in our living room. Love the "quality" of the music from a hundred years ago.

... sounds like some of our interests ran in parallel

Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:40 am

Better have a plan for what happens to all those cars if you unexpectedly exit this world.

Earlier this year picked up two free cars and several hundred dollars worth of parts from a barn. Previous owner died, his wife was clearing the property. 12 cars went to the crusher, as well as nearly a whole barn worth of parts. A fellow restorer rented a Uhaul and filled it to the brim with parts, and there were still probably four or five trailer's worth of parts that just got thrown away. :x

Thu Jul 12, 2018 8:39 am

Mos6502 wrote: A fellow restorer rented a Uhaul and filled it to the brim with parts, and there were still probably four or five trailer's worth of parts that just got thrown away. :x

this happens more than you think. they say not to do anything for about a year after someone croaks. sometimes, you just don't have a year to fool with stuff.

having lived it myself, I tossed/donated as much as I could. on a good day, who wants to waste time on ebay/CL/the samba etc trying to market the stuff?

I told my wife when I kick just have an auction. people get all hot and bothered by an auction. whatever may be left, back up a 30 yard dumpster and pitch it.

I will be going thru this again with my father in law at some point....the guy has planes, motorcycles, cars etc....I will do my best to market the big stuff and toss the rest. I mean there are 2 shipping containers and a bunch of barns full of shit. it's a ton of work for those left behind and I can see the "get it over with" point of view. you can easily get overwhelmed when you have too much shit and not enough toilet paper

Thu Jul 12, 2018 9:36 am

Mos6502 wrote: Better have a plan for what happens to all those cars if you unexpectedly exit this world.

Earlier this year picked up two free cars and several hundred dollars worth of parts from a barn. Previous owner died, his wife was clearing the property. 12 cars went to the crusher, as well as nearly a whole barn worth of parts. A fellow restorer rented a Uhaul and filled it to the brim with parts, and there were still probably four or five trailer's worth of parts that just got thrown away. :x

Oh, i'll exit, sooner than later, for sure.

... thanks for your concern - our trust, set up for our son, with his approval will get everything - his name is already on our deed and several of my cars ,
Was a big relief to know, I can still buy all this stuff.

Yes, I once picked up 7 VWs, including 2 split busses from a dying old timer...

I like all my junk and want someone to benefit from it all - doesn't have to be me... a loved-one will do. My son will be smart about it all. He'll not be idiotic by throwing it away. He said, he'll sell anything he does not want. I have no problem talking about my demise... will be relaxing, i'm sure.

If you know 12 cars going to the crusher, that was do to poor planning... death is just part of life and no big deal - just helpful to plan a little.

Thu Jul 12, 2018 11:20 am

ZENVWDRIVER wrote:

If you know 12 cars going to the crusher, that was do to poor planning... death is just part of life and no big deal - just helpful to plan a little.

how many wives really know the scope of a collection? mine has a good grasp of the rolling stock value, but parts/accessories/memorabilia/tools.....no clue on any of that. plus the stress of someone's final days...be it months on end or sudden realy messes people up.

I will say good on you for openly discussing this with your family. my grandmother has done the same. it really DOES help the survivors to know what's up.

Thu Jul 12, 2018 5:25 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: ZENVWDRIVER wrote:

If you know 12 cars going to the crusher, that was do to poor planning... death is just part of life and no big deal - just helpful to plan a little.

how many wives really know the scope of a collection? mine has a good grasp of the rolling stock value, but parts/accessories/memorabilia/tools.....no clue on any of that. plus the stress of someone's final days...be it months on end or sudden realy messes people up.

I will say good on you for openly discussing this with your family. my grandmother has done the same. it really DOES help the survivors to know what's up.

... my wife is no dummy and i'll bet remains cool and collected in that trying time - is her personality... bet she an our son will get an expert to price everything. Besides a couple of my cars are willed to close friends also - think we're covered
death is no big deal - just is.

Thu Jul 12, 2018 6:02 pm

ZENVWDRIVER wrote: skills@eurocarsplus wrote: ZENVWDRIVER wrote:

If you know 12 cars going to the crusher, that was do to poor planning... death is just part of life and no big deal - just helpful to plan a little.

how many wives really know the scope of a collection? mine has a good grasp of the rolling stock value, but parts/accessories/memorabilia/tools.....no clue on any of that. plus the stress of someone's final days...be it months on end or sudden realy messes people up.

I will say good on you for openly discussing this with your family. my grandmother has done the same. it really DOES help the survivors to know what's up.

... my wife is no dummy and i'll bet remains cool and collected in that trying time - is her personality... bet she an our son will get an expert to price everything. Besides a couple of my cars are willed to close friends also - think we're covered
death is no big deal - just is.

Expert......nothing will sell. I am in the estate business and I can tell you that most items.....90% do not sell when an "expert" prices. And, like John, its only information, do what you like with it!

Thu Jul 12, 2018 6:39 pm

wheel607 wrote:

Expert......nothing will sell. I am in the estate business and I can tell you that most items.....90% do not sell when an "expert" prices. And, like John, its only information, do what you like with it!

yea, that has been my experience as well. told my wife to just have an auction....whatever sells, sells. I don't see her getting cozy with my plasma cutter, spot welder or lift.

sell it for what someone will pay, and if they "stole it" who cares? we all got killer deals at some point.....

Thu Jul 12, 2018 7:20 pm

skills@eurocarsplus wrote:

yea, that has been my experience as well. told my wife to just have an auction....whatever sells, sells. I don't see her getting cozy with my plasma cutter, spot welder or lift.
In the grand scheme of things, these tools & equipment should have long since paid for themselves, if the family has no use for them then they should offload what they can & move on.

I occasionally go into estate sales looking for tools but they’re usually gone before the sale even happens & all that’s left are the creepy ass doll collections, grotesque plate, glassware, & silverware assortments & home care supplies.

Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:12 am

wheel607 wrote: ZENVWDRIVER wrote: skills@eurocarsplus wrote: ZENVWDRIVER wrote:

If you know 12 cars going to the crusher, that was do to poor planning... death is just part of life and no big deal - just helpful to plan a little.

how many wives really know the scope of a collection? mine has a good grasp of the rolling stock value, but parts/accessories/memorabilia/tools.....no clue on any of that. plus the stress of someone's final days...be it months on end or sudden realy messes people up.

I will say good on you for openly discussing this with your family. my grandmother has done the same. it really DOES help the survivors to know what's up.

... my wife is no dummy and i'll bet remains cool and collected in that trying time - is her personality... bet she an our son will get an expert to price everything. Besides a couple of my cars are willed to close friends also - think we're covered
death is no big deal - just is.

Expert......nothing will sell. I am in the estate business and I can tell you that most items.....90% do not sell when an "expert" prices. And, like John, its only information, do what you like with it!

i'll leave her a note not to contact you - they will want a successful-expert like we had for my wife's parents estate where 100% sold out.

Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:22 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: wheel607 wrote:

Expert......nothing will sell. I am in the estate business and I can tell you that most items.....90% do not sell when an "expert" prices. And, like John, its only information, do what you like with it!

yea, that has been my experience as well. told my wife to just have an auction....whatever sells, sells. I don't see her getting cozy with my plasma cutter, spot welder or lift.

sell it for what someone will pay, and if they "stole it" who cares? we all got killer deals at some point.....

... oh that's funny - I have no plasma cutter, spot welder or lift... I have a dirt floor barn, a pop rivet gun and a hack saw.

We had a house sale and not an auction and sold EVERYTHING in 4 days and paid a commission.

Besides, we have a son who says he'll want almost everything to be left in place as our farm is in Trust to him... I think we're cool.

Seems most people have terrible estate plans - cause most people are fearful to discuss their own demise. I think it'll be a relaxing experience.

Fri Jul 13, 2018 8:24 am

TDCTDI wrote: skills@eurocarsplus wrote:

yea, that has been my experience as well. told my wife to just have an auction....whatever sells, sells. I don't see her getting cozy with my plasma cutter, spot welder or lift.
In the grand scheme of things, these tools & equipment should have long since paid for themselves, if the family has no use for them then they should offload what they can & move on.

I occasionally go into estate sales looking for tools but they’re usually gone before the sale even happens & all that’s left are the creepy ass doll collections, grotesque plate, glassware, & silverware assortments & home care supplies.

... right on!

Fri Jul 13, 2018 11:15 am

ZENVWDRIVER wrote: skills@eurocarsplus wrote: wheel607 wrote:

Expert......nothing will sell. I am in the estate business and I can tell you that most items.....90% do not sell when an "expert" prices. And, like John, its only information, do what you like with it!

yea, that has been my experience as well. told my wife to just have an auction....whatever sells, sells. I don't see her getting cozy with my plasma cutter, spot welder or lift.

sell it for what someone will pay, and if they "stole it" who cares? we all got killer deals at some point.....

... oh that's funny - I have no plasma cutter, spot welder or lift... I have a dirt floor barn, a pop rivet gun and a hack saw.

We had a house sale and not an auction and sold EVERYTHING in 4 days and paid a commission.

Besides, we have a son who says he'll want almost everything to be left in place as our farm is in Trust to him... I think we're cool.

Seems most people have terrible estate plans - cause most people are fearful to discuss their own demise. I think it'll be a relaxing experience.

Having all your affairs in order is the kindest most loving and thoughtful way to
Depart this life.. several years ago my dad began talking about this and took the time to make sure I knew where the keys were to a file cabinet containing all the instructions including wills, durable power of attorney, bank records, life insurance, funeral arrangements basically he’s done it all in advance for us and we love him for doing this. At first I thought it was morbid to be discussing this and then uncomfortable but after checking it all out seeing the big picture I came to understand. I’ve got another family member living in nursing home dying a slow agonizing death but he has also taken care of everything, it gives us and him comfort. It’s hard to see them this way but I was able to feed him some scotch on the rocks, his favorite drink to ease the pain. Two broken arms, paralyzed from waist down, diapers, catheter, and leukemia. He’s a tough old boot and a WW2 vet. Sorry for ramble

Sat Jul 14, 2018 7:40 am

I have been at the bed side of 4 people now that have died in my presence and I can assure you that having it be a "relaxing experience" in all likelihood would be a pipe dream!

Coming into this world was not a relaxing experience, just ask your mother and going out is not likely to be either! Unless of course a drug overdose is your choice of exit. Even then I have my doubts. Ya you see it all the time in the obits - "Died peacefully on Oct... " Don't you believe it! That's there to comfort the family! Probable just didn't have the strength to scream! :lol:

Sat Jul 14, 2018 3:18 pm

oprn wrote: I have been at the bed side of 4 people now that have died in my presence and I can assure you that having it be a "relaxing experience" in all likelihood would be a pipe dream!

Coming into this world was not a relaxing experience, just ask your mother and going out is not likely to be either! Unless of course a drug overdose is your choice of exit. Even then I have my doubts. Ya you see it all the time in the obits - "Died peacefully on Oct... " Don't you believe it! That's there to comfort the family! Probable just didn't have the strength to scream! :lol:

... Wish I could say, "i'll let you know"... think i'll look at it my way and you can do the same... once death occurs, is where the relaxing experience begins...

Not debating, but my Mom will tell you the birthing process is tough, but worth it. She did it 15 times...

... we'll see, if you're right is all I can say... like with everything, there are positive and negative views... thanks.

Sat Jul 14, 2018 5:48 pm

oprn wrote:
Unless of course a drug overdose is your choice of exit.
Wait until you get to make final life decisions for someone who cannot do it for themselves. BTW, “comfort measures” is PC for upping the dosage until they die.