Re: My swallowtail delima! (LubsDaDubs)
Well, I will weigh in, because I am the one that offered him the money. Obviously, if I offered him 300 bucks for it, I want it. However, I do not want it as a replacement for my car (mine is fine).
I have spent a significant amount of time over the last few years researching the early cars, and spent a lot of time putting up the Swallowtail.info site. I have actually gotten a lot of grief for doing that, because it has in essence raised the value of early cars by making them more desirable. Without the site (and all the "to do" around Swallowtails it created) few people would even notice this.
If I wind up with the rear panel for a fair price (I would say that offering someone 7 times what he paid, plus shipping, and offering to find him a spot to buy another one is a pretty fair price), it will not be welded on a car. It will go on the wall of my house, professionally painted, and preserved.
However, I have no interest in making this a bidding war, or hurting feelings. The panel is his to do with what he chooses. I made an offer to give it a good home, and feel that it is too rare a piece to weld on to anything but an all out no expense spared show car. Let's put it this way.... I have two swallowtails, both of which are perfectly rust free CA cars, straight as an arrow. I have sunk SERIOUS money into the one I am restoring (I am not talking 5K, either.... plenty more than that), and I would NEVER consider welding this to that car. It is simply too rare, and too interesting a piece of VW history.
My offer is on the table and he can do with it what he chooses.
Thanks! Dan
