<VV> tele column

[airvair at earthlink.net]

I knew I'd create a firestorm with this thread. But I make no appologies in
what I said, which was and is exactly how I feel about the issue. I have a
right to my feelings, as do others, so be it.

Some things everyone needs to be aware of is this. First, remember that
there are TWO styles of tele columns, the '65-6 style, and the '67-9 style.
Both are sought after by Corvette people. However, there were built over
14,000 of the '65-6 style, while ONLY less than 800 of the '67-9 style
(about 1/18 as many). This makes the latter style extremely rare. But also
realize that this latter style was available in three distinct trims, the
'67 standard wheel, the '68-9 standard wheel, and the '67-8 wood wheel. Of
the three, the '67 standard wheel is probably the rarest, with maybe around
only 150 or so built, by my guesstimation.

What the Corvette people have accomplished with their scavengering is to
virtually eliminate any available assemblies from the used parts market.
Thus, there are virtually none available at any price.

Second, what's worse is that many Corvette people disassemble them, use
only the parts they want, and then THROW AWAY THE REST. This has caused not
only the entire assembly market to dry up, but also made any
repair/replacement parts impossible to find. This has proven particularly
devastating for finding any late style parts to repair or upgrade existing
cars, and particularly concours-intended cars.

But what's most telling about many Corvette people was illustrated in my
tale of the guy who was determined he was going to pry that '67 column out
from under me. As I've said for years, many Corvette people have more money
than brains. That fact makes them arrogant. They feel that they have an
absolute right to own anything they want. All they have to do is simply
keep bidding up the price until their opposition/competitor runs out of
money. And it's that arrogance that offends me the most.

I've also often said that Corvettes are too rich for my blood. So I
appologize to everyone for not being wealthy enough to outbid Corvette
people on some things. I accept that this is a free market economy. So be
it. But I won't appologize for resenting their arrogance, or their
callousness and disregard for Corvair history. And my Corvair hobby.

-Mark

> [Original Message]
> From: Richard Gebhardt <rampside64 at att.net>
> Subject: Re: <VV> tele column?
>
> RoboMan91324 at aol.com wrote:
> > Frank and others,
> >
> > We don't belong to a Corvair cult where we must sell parts only to
other 
> > "true believers."  If the telescoping column is so rare in the Corvair 
> > community, I would expect Corvair collectors to bid up the price.  As
it gets more 
> > rare, the value goes up.  You know, the law of supply and demand.
> >
> > Since when is selling something on the open market for what it is
worth, 
> > greedy?  .... and what is it with the veiled threat of "What goes
around, 
> > comes around?"
> >
> > So Frank, are you going to be the highest bidder on eBay for the column 
> > just to make sure it doesn't leave the Corvair community?  You and a
couple of 
> > others are willing to put BOB's money where your mouth is.  How about 
> > putting YOUR money where your mouth is.  When you win the auction at
lets say 
> > $1500, will you turn around and sell it to a Corvair person at $700 if
he 
> > guarantee it will go into a Corvair?  Frankly, if it doesn't sell as
listed, I 
> > would resubmit it with Corvette in the title.  Maybe those guys have
just 
> > missed it.  Maybe you should get it at the lower price while it isn't
attracting 
> > the Vette folks .... yet.
> >
> > By the way, I have a complete telescoping column and wheel but I am
waiting 
> > for all the Corvair units to be snapped up by the Vette folks so that I
can 
> > get $50,000 for mine.  There's greed for you.
> >
> > Just trying to put some perspective on the issue.
> >
> > Doc
> >
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > 
> >> From: Frank DuVal <corvairduval at cox.net>
> >> Subject: Re: <VV> tele column?
> >>
> >> "Well, then I am not a true Corvair person"
> >>
> >> You got that right from your actions!
> >>
> >> Free market is one thing, greed is another.
> >>
> >> What goes around comes around is all I have to say.
> >>
> >> Frank DuVal
> >>
> >> Vairtec Corporation wrote:
> >>     
> >>> At 08:42 PM 2/20/2010, airvair at earthlink.net wrote:
> >>>       
> >>>> I get upset every time I hear of a Corvair column falling
> >>>> into the hands of the Corvette vultures. Any more, I'm to the point 
> >>>>         
> >> where I
> >>     
> >>>> don't consider anyone who would willingly sell one to a Corvette
vulture 
> >>>>         
> >> to
> >>     
> >>>> be a true Corvair person. Sure, I understand the economics in it.
But to
> >>>> me, it's become high treason.
> >>>>    
> >>>>
> >>>>         
> >>> Well, then I am not a true Corvair person.  I have a 1965 tele column 
> >>> on eBay right this minute, and if a Corvette person buys it, so be 
> >>> it.  The free market is determining what it is worth to whom.
> >>>
> >>> I sold two others previously.  One went to a Corvair person willing 
> >>> to pay the price, and the other went to a Corvette guy.
> >>>
> >>> --Bob Marlow
> >>>       
> >   
> Right on Doc.
>
>     Corvair folks can't get over being cheap. I have been involved with 
> Corvairs (cars and parts) for over 30 years. The knock on Corvair
> people is that they are cheap. I had a vendor at a big Texas swap meet 
> tell me that he quit bringing Corvair parts because the Corvair guys
> wanted to low-ball him on everything. This appears to be true  here.
>
> You want something, decide what you can afford and go for it. Don't pi** 
> and moan and expect someone else sell it to you
> cause you are cheap.
>
> Richard Gebhardt
>
> CORSA
> NTCA
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