I started looking for more 20th parts lately. The cars been in storage for roughly 5 years. Figure I might pull it out in the spring. See how that goes. But Ive noticed lately that good 20th cougar parts prices are going crazy.
A convience kit recently went for $255 on ebay.
Ive got 2 of these sitting collecting dust along with a full set and then some of brand new boxed emblems and a new still bagged set of floor mats I bought from eric a few years ago. All of which I picked up reasonably. None of which I want to part with. Ive made that mistake one with some extra emblems I had.
Are the prices really going that nuts or is this just a fluke?
I was watching that auction also. I'm trying to justify the price too...it was a fully complete kit and looked to be in great shape, but that final price was, to me, a little high. I'd have paid $150 for it, had I been in the market for it. Beyond that it seems ridiculous. I'd chalk it up to a 'fluke' more than anything.
In recent years there seems to be very little problem obtaining decent used or even NOS little parts for a 20th. I've bought some myself...in fact I just got one of the hardest pieces to find: the gold MERCURY emblem for the front bumper. I think it was less than $20 with shipping. So the parts are out there, you just have to be diligent and keep your eyes open. Buy anything within reason...if it's not a smart buy, don't kick yourself. It's not worth the aggravation.
But yeah, definitely hang on to those parts. You'll never regret it.
The bidding wars get out of hand sometimes. Royce sometimes bids up items - he paid a bunch for an item this past year. I've been able to snag what I need being patient. Got 2 sets of unused rugs & about 8 emblems (+ 4 more that would be fine if replated) & an extra gold grill. For some reason the "mercury" is not gold in the bumper even though the beading is - it's hardly noticable though. I look at the convienience kit as a somewhat of a luxury as they are not seen by 99% of the people you'd show the car too, even at a car show people look at the whole car as an oddball curiousity - the significance of the convienience kit is over the head of most people.
I saw that thing!!!!
I cant stand that guy, whoever it was that won it, he c00ched a set of floormats out from under me! I wanted those SOOO bad, they were NOS. All of mine EXCEPT the driver's side one are good but that thing is terrible the embroidery is completely unreadable and the metal rod thats like vulcanized inside the rubber is sticking out...the rubber split and the rod is actually rusty! :(
That thing went for $255!!!!??? Last I checked it was at $100. .
Well I guess I was lucky when I was buying last time. Ive been out of the cougar scene for a few years while working on my 69 mach1 and other cars. Ill just have to keep a eye out more for parts.
A single eBay price does not set the trend. I know that first hand - I once sold a pair of new door trim strips for a Crown Vic cop car for over $250 on eBay (and the guy paid). You can buy 'em new from Ford for about $15 apiece. My auction started at $5. Most went for between $15-$50 (I had several sets), but that one set was crazy. When you get two people that really want a part, no matter how rare or how common, the prices can go nuts.
Look at the prices we've seen for 140MPH speedometers, too. I've seen 'em go for $600 one time and others where the guy was lucky to get $100.
I was watching this one, and did place a "reasonable" bid in the hopes of getting a bargain.
Some of you may rememeber I won one of these for an even more ridiculous price about 2 years ago. I had never seen it show up on ebay before, and didn't know if I ever would again! I guess I really don't need another one - I have my original set (which does have a couple of issues like missing pliers and broken emergency lamp) plus the set I got from ebay in mint shape. One for each of my 20ths.
well
if any of you 20th guys have an extra dash decal, i would appreciate a price. I could just have one made locally i suppose.
As for the floor mat kit, it would be nice to have a set but im sure there are not many to go around. I would've paid that and more for the set but thats just me and my passion for these cars.