From: Crownking <crownking62@xxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: Why We Collect
Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2005 16:02:06 -0700 (PDT)
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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