RUMCars Forum

General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: milnes on December 08, 2012, 08:45:48 AM

Title: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: milnes on December 08, 2012, 08:45:48 AM
I'm sorry if this has already been discussed but i can't find any mention of it. I'm just wondering why the Bruce Weiner collection is up for sale, is this museum shutting completely? Has any forum members been to see the collection?
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: richard on December 08, 2012, 08:50:49 AM
hi - much discussed-  use search facility for museum closure/ sale
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Jonathan Poll on December 08, 2012, 10:45:33 AM
http://www.rumcars.org/forum/index.php?topic=3557.0
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Jim Janecek on December 08, 2012, 02:17:03 PM
also-
www.microcarmuseum.com/events.html (http://www.microcarmuseum.com/events.html)
has a Press Release with some "answers"
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Garybond on December 08, 2012, 03:26:48 PM
What happened to thr green mka
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: milnes on December 10, 2012, 08:58:37 PM
Thanks for the link Jim. I'm not sure if my searching on here was lacking but i couldn't find very much info on the Why's of the sale. So has any of the forum members been to see the collection?
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Jim Janecek on December 10, 2012, 09:56:28 PM
...So has any of the forum members been to see the collection?

I have been "seeing" the collection since around 2001. In fact I just figured out that I have a video walk-thru of it from 11 years ago!
I forgot about it.  A lot changed since then.  Things were always changing.

Here is a shot of a rarely seen Messerschmitt arrangement that was only up for a short time and then taken down.

Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: richard on December 10, 2012, 10:00:43 PM
i find that excess in the extreme  >:(
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Jim Janecek on December 10, 2012, 10:07:41 PM
well, you certainly won't like these then:
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: richard on December 10, 2012, 10:14:04 PM
i find it all a bit laughable if a little sad .
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: milnes on December 10, 2012, 10:52:39 PM
WoW, pretty impressive if not a little extreme as you say  ;D
It's a pity it will be split up never to be seen again, Mmmmmmmm i guess i really need to make an effort to see it before it's gone!
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: richard on December 10, 2012, 10:58:10 PM
there you go then i would much rather check out some of the members vehicles  of this forum to find much more interesting vehicles than pay to see such a weird art gallery - each to their own but i wouldn't pay tuppence to see it .
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Jim Janecek on December 10, 2012, 11:01:57 PM
It's a pity it will be split up never to be seen again...

People complain when he buys things, and then complain when he sells them.

He just can't do anything right I guess.   ::)

note: those displays have been gone for some time now.  They were like that in the Fall of 2004.
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: richard on December 10, 2012, 11:12:42 PM
no don't get me wrong you will never find me making any personal remark against Bruce himself , i met him at Mannheim and didn't dislike him although he was amazingly ignorant on British Microcars considering his collection . i guess i just don't like museums per se . it took me many years to get to the coopers in u.k. and was underwhelmed completely when i did get there . i have nothing against static displays either after all how could i !!  ;) it's just so silly collecting so many cars in one place for no real purpose . give me a mucky shed full of promise anyday  :)

and i am not in print anywhere complaining of his buying or selling cars - i do what i like and he does what he likes thats no problem to me at all
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: milnes on December 10, 2012, 11:32:46 PM
The displays i'm not blown away with, but just the sheer numbers and cars i may never see again in my life. Worth a trip!
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Jim Janecek on December 10, 2012, 11:39:43 PM
... it's just so silly collecting so many cars in one place for no real purpose .

errrmmm...sounds like a hobby.

other definitions of "hobby":
A: something you shovel money at
B: something you do when you should be working

anyone else got an addition to the list?
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: NickPoll on December 10, 2012, 11:40:23 PM
I also like sheds of project cars, but if you ever visited Bruce's museum you couldn't fail to be gobsmacked by it all. There was something for every type of enthusiast. He had mint condition cars that hundreds of US based enthusiasts could examine to help guide their own restorations, and most were very correct in every detail where possible. He also had an area of project cars that I loved. Climbing over Zeta's to check out unrestored Nobels etc. Then there was the fleet of 'on the button' micros that he was generous enough to let visitors try out. Such a shame it's going to be history. Bruce's place wiill always be one of the highlights of my microcar life.  Nick.
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: richard on December 11, 2012, 08:54:11 AM
Maybe a variation - work - something you do when u should be hobbying
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Big Al on December 11, 2012, 09:34:36 AM

other definitions of "hobby":
A: something you shovel money at
B: something you do when you should be working

anyone else got an addition to the list?

A Collection is not always a hobby. It can be the product of being an acquisitionist or as a function of investment where the actual hobby is making money. Collectors and hobbyist quite often fall out as the hobbyist is hands on, getting things sorted out and tends to be interested in the workings, use and context of his hobby. The collector has a list which needs ticking off and is far less interested in the workings, many do not get thier hands dirty for instance, and historical connections but often a more critical eye to value. The collector will hoover up items eventually starving the hobbyist of material. A price rise sees the value of the remaining material pass out of affordability and we are left with a somewhat baron sphere of activity. Bruce is merely the most visible of acqusitionists but by no means the only one and he might not even have the biggest collection in terms of numbers! But collections are efemerial and get split up for many reasons. Not least as the investment of time and effort over a lifetime tends to favour the hobbyist. The rest can be seduced by a new and more shiny subject to acquire as it is the buying and list ticking that really turns them on not the nitty gritty of the actual item bought.

A look at this forum provides the various stages of the above. The 'retired' hobbyist priced out all the way to active collectors. One telling equation is who holds the active knowledge. Tends to be the hobbyists. But that is why there is a forum as it exchanges information.

C: A hobby is a lifestyle choice
D: I have very good friends who have the same interest.
E: A hobby is not just for Christmas but for holidays too.
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Bob Purton on December 11, 2012, 09:48:30 AM
"Something you do to keep away from the wife when she's in a bad mood?"

Re the reason the collections is being sold, I have heard a number of thing's probably all wrong ranging from just getting bored with it to a divorce settlement. Whether that means a real divorce or just a divorcing from the collection I don't know. I hope the latter.
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: Big Al on December 11, 2012, 10:42:43 AM
What is needed is a pre nuptial bubblecar hobby/collection. No surprise either and a plastic Isetta in the bath.
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: NickPoll on December 11, 2012, 11:48:26 AM
I think we all get a buzz from locating rare cars or parts. Back in the summer I picked up this new old stock Tiger engine from Germany. It was a long way off being complete and I was worried I may never find the parts to complete it. Soon after, made an accurate list of all the parts I need. I sent emails to people all over the world and waited with baited breath for any response. It was a nail biting time, but I've now manged to get most parts needed. These came from UK, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. When the chap in Canada sent me photos of the parts he had spare I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a great buzz.  To me, that's part of this hobby.        regards,   skint Nick.
Title: Re: Bruce Weiner collection auction
Post by: richard on December 11, 2012, 12:48:23 PM
That's the spirit _ great stuff