Ever Increasing Cost For Parts

Many heads are sold on ebay, but I seem to notice that of the pair there is usually something wrong with one of them, ameteur machining, old valves, etc. The set going for $1K right now appear to be a good pair and should command a decent price. After disassembly and inspection if those heads have been machined and have fresh parts as represented they're probably worth $1K.

It would be fair to say that the set that sold for $2,350 are not your typical hipo heads; Shelby provenance, much expensive flow bench work, reputable well know Shelby restorer. There is no denying the reality that Shelby folks will continue to drive K code parts prices.

The risk variable with ebay is buying machined parts when the work has been done by a shop that's unknown. You have to automatically discount the perceived value of the work because it's uncertain. It is annoying when an ebay auction for something you need is driven by a determined power bidder who pushes through the reasonable market value of a part. However; I now there are some of us here who have been that bidder because we spent so long looking for the item to complete our restoration that we didn't want to fool around any more.

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I was bidding on these heads, but quit at $700.00 They are now $1000.00. A few months ago, you could have bought a good set of heads for $500 to $600.

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While that may be true, prices for most new and used HiPo parts on eBay have varied wildly over the years. One thing that seems to drive the prices paid is the date code(s) of the part(s). If the date code matches the vintage a particular bidder needs for a restoration, the maximum price that person will pay is usually a lot higher than we would expect.

Come on Gary, vent! Vent! OK, I'll do it: "#&$%*@!!!" <img src=images/icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>

I get upset, too, because I have a VERY humble budget. I bought my whole kar for $2999 in 1989 and had no idea what a "K" was. I'll probably double or triple that during restoration. But paying thousands for individual pieces, whether I need them or not, is out of the question. I am not building a show car, so I go more for "year correct" or even service parts rather than exact datecodes. I want to get the car back on the road in my lifetime, which won't happen if I get too picky. Considering the fun I had with the kar pre-resto, I won't lose any sleep over tiny cast-in numbers. Let someone else pay double, triple, even quadruple the money for trailer queen parts. I want to drive my kar and not worry about it. Oh, and "@*#$&!!"

Lyle