Re: IML: Why We Collect

[Crownking <crownking62@xxxxxxxxx>]

I collect because it is a connection to the great men of the past--industrialists who had a vision of a better America than an agricultural one.  There are no great men today with whom I would want to associate myself. 

 

I collect because it is a connection to our past, a past before the silliness of the late '60s, a silliness that permeates all aspects of our fallen, failing society of today.

 

I collect because it is the only connection between the me of today and the me of my youth before six kids, a time-consuming career and hundreds of other entanglements.

 

I collect because it is a hobby I can have and not be away from home. 

 

I collect because every time I see that white whale in the garage it makes me giggle.

 

I collect to flip the bird at the extra-constitutional EPA.

 

I collect because I understand the innerworkings of the pre-computer, pre-fuel injected, rear wheel drive car.

 

I collect because the old, heavy cars get poor gas mileage and I love trees that depend on CO2 for survival.  Also, I think it patriotic to burn as much fossil fuel as I can afford.

 

I collect because everything built since '72, with very few exceptions, looks the same, is boring, is too small, is likely front-wheel drive, has a pseudospare tyre and often contains foreign parts.

 

I collect Chrysler because I worked for GM as has virtually every one of my relatives since the founding of the company.

 

I collect Imperials because it says something about me that collecting muscle cars, '57 Chevies, Corvettes and Mustangs cannot.

 

I collect convertibles because I love the climate here in heaven (Houston) and the wind in my hair.

 

I collect '62 Imperials because I find them the most beautiful of cars ever built.

I collect '62 Imperial convertibles because I know that no matter how much money somebody wants to throw into the mix, there can never be more than about 100 people in the world that can have a car like mine--even if a large number of the coupes are converted.

Not too darned likely an investment in an Imperial is going to show an acceptably positive return unless it is a convertible at a distressed price in fabulous condition and you are willing to hold it a long time.  Buy the wagon, given your stated criteria.

As to "how", I collect what I can afford to buy, in the best condition, for which I am willing to pay storage.

Mark McDonald <tomswift@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Over the past few years I've had to sell off my collection of 
> Imperials, but now I'm starting to rebuild it and the whole process has 
> got me to thinking about why we collect cars, and how we go about it.
>
> First of all, there is the issue of HOW. And by how I mean, what is 
> the system you use? Is there a pattern to your collecting, conscious 
> or unconscious? Or is it strictly random, a result of happenstance and 
> luck?
>
> For example, I once read about a man who bought only cars from 1957, 
> because that is the year he graduated from high school. He didn't care 
> what it was as long as it was from 1957. Then there are those who only 
> go after particular models, such as Corvettes or Imperials. Some only 
> collect muscle cars, some only sedans, some only British cars, some 
> only Italian, some like perfectly restored cars, some only like cars
>  
> that aren't in good condition and present a challenge to restore, etc., 
> etc. I'm just wondering what are the criteria are that some of us use 
> to collect cars?
>
> For me personally it seems to be that cars from about 1960 to 1971 
> interest me the most, with the year 1968 being my favorite. At one 
> time it was my goal to collect one of everything Chrysler made in 1968. 
> I wanted (and still want) a Dodge Charger with a 426 hemi, an Imperial 
> LeBaron, a New Yorker coupe, an avocado green Fury III, a Satellite, a 
> 300, etc. I doubt I will ever own all these, but that's my "organizing 
> principle," if you will.
>
> The second big question is WHY.
>
> Do we collect to impress people? To show how much money we have? Or 
> how much taste and intelligence? Do we collect Imperials in order to 
> make the statement that we're "different"-- or do we do it in order to 
> fit into a particular group whose approval we need?
>
> I know one person who buys
>  old Imperials because his grandmother owned 
> an Imperial and he was very close to his grandmother. I probably like 
> Imperials because my favorite uncle sold them when I was a child, and 
> because I was the "rebel"-- a Chrysler lover-- in a "GM family." 
> Others buy cars because they owned a similar car when they first met 
> their wife, etc.
>
> I never really gave any of this much thought until now, because I am 
> faced with a choice of getting a really flashy "high dollar" Imperial 
> in great shape-- or buying a somewhat rough, somewhat undesirable, and 
> very cheap Chrysler station wagon. Part of me says "Go for the wagon! 
> It'll be fun!" And part of me says "Go for the nice Imperial, it's a 
> smart investment!" And so on. (And yes, I know, you don't buy old 
> cars as investments. I just mean I'm far more likely to get my money 
> back from the Imperial if I have to sell it later.) And part of me 
> says "Nah, get a VW!"
>
> So I guess I'm just
>  wondering which voice to listen to and how others 
> decide what they'll buy when they buy.
>
> Mark M

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