914 parts investment potential?, Time to stash parts? Options

[JeffBowlsby]

I acquired my 1974 2.0L in September 1998. I have just maintained it in good order, sorted most of its quirks and enjoyed driving it. Its a really fun car as you know, even in stock form. It has appreciated probably 15-20% if you dont include regular maintenance costs - tires, batteries etc. Beats the money market...lately anyway.

In that time I have also been mystified at how certain prices have gone into the stratosphere, while otheres have just climbed following ‘normal’ escalation. For instance certain parts I bought just a couple years ago have doubled, tripled and more in just a couple years time. Has anyone else noticed this too? Got more examples? Makes me want to stockpile certain parts and then sell them in a couple years to help pay for this ‘hobby’. For instance:

2-3 years ago Now
Front turn signal lenses $20/pr $60/pr
Rear USA lenses $55 each stratosphere
Synchros $23 each $80 each
Front windshield rubber $120 stratosphere
NEW MPS $250 $750
Silver engine grille letters $45 $80
New dashcap $350 $600

For instance I think other parts may do this too soon:

OEM 2.0L Fuch center caps
F/R bumper tops
OEM dashcaps
Engine tin rubber
Euro lenses

[rhodyguy]

the parts issue. sometimes you have to sell to fund the project as not to anger the so when the visa card bill shows up. on your prices. if you are talking nos they might be in line. but, for decent used stuff they are a bit over the top imo. at a couple of swaps i couldn't get $5 for t.s. lenses, not prisitme but not crap. i had(still have) a number of taillight lenses, same story for those at $25 each, taillight housings, frt t.s housings,.... gary emory was the only one that saw them for the the value that i thought they were. perhaps my prices were too cheap. you could see the condition and no shipping. instead of trying to squeeze every penny out of the part i try to pass along a deal to other owners that live with parts they want to replace but can't due to -$$. jamie will atest to that as well as others. that was a smoking deal on the door panels. sometimes the "914 brother/sisterhood" takes a back seat for a couple of bucks.

in the long run set aside a set of everything that you wouldn't want to buy and tape the box shut. things i regret selling. clean bumpertops, fuchs (came to my senses and held on to the last near perfect one), more than i can remember now. you could sit on containers of parts. the only interest you'll earn is the dust that collects on them and say to yourself "what am i going to do will all this shit".

kevin