<VV> Corvair Value - Jay Leno "influence"

[Gary Swiatowy]

Why should any Corvair value be over $10,000.
Why certainly, because someone is willing to pay it!

Now, I have not scored that winning sale yet.
But interestingly enough, I have been approached way too many times by
people wanting to buy one of my Corvairs.
For some reason, especially my totally rust free 63 Greenbriar with faded
paint, but the rare 5-door option. (OK one door on the back instead of 2,
long story, been covered in the Communique)
A week after I bought it(10 years ago), a guy offered me almost 3 times what
I paid for it. (I paid $2,200) he offered $6,000) He was a man of means, who
bought vehicles on whims and flipped them for a profit. I turned him down
flat, and have more than the profit I would have achieved, in sheer pleasure
and enjoyment for driving the Greenbriar. Can't see myself not having it. 
I still get people, who see it at cruises and shows, even people who have
seen it and knocked at my door. If I say, No, not for sale! I get the line,
If it was for sale, how much would you sell it for?
My answer?
$15,000
For that, I would be comfortable in selling it, yes, even with faded paint.
Short of that, I'd keep it.
Because, realistically, I know I would not be able to find another as nice,
or I enjoy as much for that price.
So to me.............yeah, worth 15 grand.
Now do you want to discuss my 65 Monza Convertible?
Or my 66 Monza coupe?
Similar values, but luckily, I'm not hard pressed to sell, especially when
the markets down. But if your desire is so intense, for the right
money.......

And I am a cheapskate as well.
But there is certainly a difference between what you would pay, and what you
would sell for.

With 10 collector cars in my "fleet" (5 Corvairs, 5 non-Corvairs) Most I
ever spent on acquisition was $4200, and that was for a 66 Monza Coupe.
Enjoyment value..............priceless!

Gary Swiatowy


From: Sethracer at aol.com
Subject: <VV> Corvair Value - Jay Leno "influence"

In a message dated 9/3/2010 1:03:47 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
bonanz01 at myfairpoint.net writes:

I just  think that the potential Corvairistas have been lead to believe
that 'Vairs  ain't worth Dog Poop!

What do YOU think? 

I like Jay a lot, but  I think he may have screwed-up here.................
 
I am on the record as loving Corvairs - I even still have one of the Orange 
 Bumper stickers. But I am also kind of a cheapskate - despite also loving 
cars  in general. I have way too many. I know the value of a nice car. I 
have paid  $3000 for a Corvair - never more. The $3000 Corvair was not a 
particularly good  deal, either. Just a whim of a purchase - that I am still

paying for - Trying to  make it "right". I just picked up a 2002 Camaro,
probably 
an autocross car  project, for $2900. It is well equipped - for what I was 
seeking, and a  safe, easy to drive, reasonable economical (V6, 5-speed) car

in good  condition. It also has working air bags, cold Air Conditioning and 
just  passed smog test.  I don't know why any Corvair should be worth 
$10,000 -  And I mean any! Yes, you could "invest"- to use the term loosely
- 
more  than that in a car to make it nicer than Chevy ever built. Why?
because 
you like  the car? Fine, spend the money! The inflation of the muscle car 
market has  always seemed a bit odd to me. To see it possibly influence the 
Corvair  "market", is disappointing. I like to see people appreciate the car

for what it  is and what it represents. Unlike the 67 Camaro, that some 
frustrated 55  year old still remembers was the car that the football
quarterback 
used to score  with the cheerleader back in his high school. And now he has 
to have one,  because now he can afford to reward a hoarder or an 
auctioneer!  
A pox on them! Well, maybe not the cheerleader, she, too is pushing 55, and 
 now drives a Lexus.
 
Anyway, explain to me why a Corvair - any Corvair, except, maybe, the Monza 
 GT or SS - should bring more than $10,000. Would the person who pays more 
than  that be more likely to join a Corvair Club, or bring their car out to 
a meeting,  or autocross their car -(showing it's better traits)?  I only 
hope  they lose their shirts on the deal - again, not speaking of the 
cheerleader,  here - just the speculator.
 
Seth Emerson