Over-priced Undesirables?

Sir,

It is a moot point whether to laugh or cry at some of the prices asked for non-vintage cars in your private ads. and it would be of interest to know what proportion of these asking prices are achieved.

Obviously it is a basic rule of commerce that something is worth the price it will bring, yet in an enthusiasts’ market what amazes me is that many of the vehicles advertised were not even desirable when new and however little they may have been used, can scarcely have improved, wine-like, over the years. The sluggish, side-valve Minor (split-windscreen an’ all), the ponderous Hawk and the highly corrosive Magnette (why not collect the A50?), spring to mind.

In another category, we have certain models which have had greatness thrust upon them, irrespective of merit, by successions of the more folksy motoring journalists, like the Triumph Mayflower—it never did—and Austin Atlantic.

The Americans have a saying, brash perhaps, that the only reason a person runs an old car is that he can’t afford a new one, but at this rate, owners will be hanging on to the indifferent cars until time begins to turn liabilities into assets and they flourish, phoenix-like, in the columns of MOTOR SPORT. Funny—or sad?

Acrington LESTER HAWORTH

[Bear in mind that prices charged are the responsibilities of the advertisers, not of MOTOR SPORT. Mr. Haworth has a good point.—Ed.]