A moral dilemma - for a Lancisti, at least.

[Hamish]

Last weekend I took four car loads of Beta parts to the tip :(
OK, my Fiat Stilo isn't a big car; so we're talking awkward bulky stuff but it was very sad to note that some rare parts have now gone to recycling and/or land fill as no one seems to want the bits.
Amazingly, some parts were bought but never collected :o ::) and I'm not waiting any longer.
Some of the stuff I spent ages tracking down and I can't believe in the 4 years since I waved bye bye to Mario (my old Beta coupe in case you didn't know) that it's any easier to find?!!
So I'm left with a dilemma. We need the loft clear for building work and I still have boxes of odds and ends left.

[mikeymikemcmike]

Well what do you have? I'm usually interested in some rare stuff! Something I really need is a new-style all plastic heater valve and the plastic under-dash for the driver's side.

Mike

[Hamish]

Mike,
Think you've been beaten to it ;)
If not, I definately have all the under dash plastic (both sides) and a steering column shroud.

[Will]

You know, Hamish- that's a really big problem. You save all this stuff thinking you might need it, store it for years, eventually have no use for it, and then you can't even get somebody to come pick it up!

I had three rubbermaid bins full of Scorpion parts (some NOS, some good used, some usable as cores, and some stuff that I eliminated completely from the car, i.e. heater, etc.

I offered the stuff on the Lanciascorpion yahoo list for FREE, buyer to pay actual shipping, and guess what? No takers. But if you put the individual bits on ebay,. you'll get $300 for same. Why is that? Why would people rather pay $75 for one little part than $35 for that part along with a bunch of other stuff they can pick through?

It's because wer'e a society of morons that values things based on what somebody else is willing to pay for them. If somebody's giving something away for free, it must not be worth anything 'cause they are giving it away, right? So, why would you pay $35 to get it shipped to you if it's worthless? But if somebody else is bidding $75 on that part, well, then it must be worth AT LEAST $75 and maybe they are willing to bid more, so let me bid $76 and see if they bid more, then it must be worth what they bid because...that's what somebody else is willing to pay for it!

So there, all you Keynesians out there can cite this as exemplifying the instability of free market economics.

[Hamish]

You'll not get any arguement from me Will ;D

Very pleased to say that all the parts are going to a fellow Lancisti here in the Scottish Highlands ;D ;D

[Fingers]

Not me, I know the value of this sorta stuff, believe me if I wasn't on the other side of the world I'd take the lot!!

[chrisc]

Agreed :) I have the complete interior and a bunch of glass and a gearbox from my old HPE VX sitting in the garage where it was stored, but that needs to find a new home. I offered it to Betacar but reportedly even he is having to get rid of the amount of stuff he has stored.

Depending on how things go that lot might end up being tipped which would e a shame.

I'll have another look over your list of stuff and see if theres anything I need

[andybeta]

I feel keeping spares is all part of the custodianship of the cars. They might have little pecunairy value
but are invaluable to the few owners still running cars and if mine ever goes the spares will go with it unless
I know certain items will attract a high value.

Owners' lives do change and cars with them.

It seems you have now found a home for them so all's well that ends well.

Unfortunately for you Hamish your remote location might have something to do with the lack of takers.

It's good you have found a home for the spares.

So you're never buying another Beta?

Andybeta

[Hamish]

So you're never buying another Beta?

Never say never ;D But highly improbable :(

I'm pleased the parts that are left, such as they are, will be going to a good home as I'd have hated to bin any more stuff! But it does rather seem that the Beta chapter in my life has come to and end, as all good things do I suppose.
I've moved into Fiats (Stilo) of late and am contemplating changing my current one for a Schumacher edition ;D

But then there's the loft extension to be paid for, holidays etc etc

.....................and I hear Lancia are making a UK comeback :D :D :D :D :D

[mikeymikemcmike]

Agreed :) I have the complete interior and a bunch of glass and a gearbox from my old HPE VX sitting in the garage where it was stored, but that needs to find a new home. I offered it to Betacar but reportedly even he is having to get rid of the amount of stuff he has stored.

Depending on how things go that lot might end up being tipped which would e a shame.

I'll have another look over your list of stuff and see if theres anything I need


Chris I wouldn't say no to a VX gearbox!

Mike

[chrisc]

Agreed :) I have the complete interior and a bunch of glass and a gearbox from my old HPE VX sitting in the garage where it was stored, but that needs to find a new home. I offered it to Betacar but reportedly even he is having to get rid of the amount of stuff he has stored.

Depending on how things go that lot might end up being tipped which would e a shame.

I'll have another look over your list of stuff and see if theres anything I need


Chris I wouldn't say no to a VX gearbox!

Mike


Welcome to it if youre ever down Somerset way; box is sound with beginnings of 2nd gear synchro wear; oh, and its free :P

[Hamish]

Waved bye bye to all of my lancia parts (that I could find) this afternoon - gone to a good home ;D

It really was the end of an era :'(