Schmitt Tiger

[Jim Janecek]

Used to be when someone first asked "what is it worth" to whatever I was driving, I was put off by it and did not bother replying.  I mean if that is all they are interested in I am not interested in talking with them.

But lately I have found that if I just put some crazy price on it that shuts them up and then maybe they will move on to talking about the car.
Currently, everything is "worth" $100,000 if you ask me me cold.
but, maybe you can find one cheaper if you look hard and talk to a lot of people and make some friends!

I have also had to deal with the "glass of water to a dying man" type of inquires.  These tend to be from people who don't care what the car is "worth" but want to buy the car.
When I tell them the car is not for sale, they get angry and frustrated
"how much, how much?" they keep pushing.
I then have to explain that if they want to buy something that is not for sale, they must offer something that will MAKE it for sale.
Pulling a handgun out and pointing it at my head, or my wife's head is one way to "make the car for sale", but that rarely happens.
I have actually brought that up, depending on who I am talking to, I offer the gun option to them, but they don't have one, so I act disappointed and suggest that next time they bring one, they will have better luck negotiating.  Then we have a laugh, ha ha ha.

Eventually they come up with some lowball offer since the car is small (so how could it be worth anything?) and I decline. 
Then they get all upset that I have declined their most generous offer.
So I tell them a story:

Someone once asked Pablo Picasso why he charged so much for his paintings.
His reply was simple: "You want to take from me something that I love, I must take from you something that you love"

[marcus]

I like the Picasso quote, that's what I meant about pricing my theoretical TG500!
I think some "chatters" I have encountered have a little knowledge of some micros and bubbles but have always been too shy, or too swayed by peer pressure. So when they encounter one of us who DOES have the guts to drive around in weird jalopies, and enjoys doing so, they are impressed and want to get in on the fun. You cannot blame them for that! But obviously the obsession with money is irritating, but even that has its value: 30 years many classic micros could be bought for very little, but they were old hat and few wanted them. If I tell someone that reasonable H/Ts go for £4,000 to £8,000 they respect my interest in such oddities much more than if I said £50; once these people know they ARE desired and sought-after they realise there really is an appeal to them. Just like if your band sells 100,000 records you will be taken much more seriously than a band who sells 100 records.

[Bob Purton]

London the Edinburgh run? I didnt know about that, do tell us more. Did everyone make it safely?

[marcus]

It was about 6-7 years ago, trying to do it in under 12 hours to recreate 1) the original publicity run for the Heinkel's UK launch, and 2) the 25th (?) anniversary commemorative run.
Peter Ray and Jenny turned up on Saturday and stayed overnight with us. Ted Miller and Mike O'Ballance were also scheduled, but at last minute had to replace an engine overnight. On Sunday morning I led them to Westminster  Bridge where another Trojan from Wales (forgotten his name) was already waiting. Set off at Ten on Big Ben's face, then I led them up to North London and the start of the A1. Whilst saying goodbyes, Ted and Mike came along the same road heading to Westminster for a late but "official" start. It was sheer luck,but they stopped for a few minutes to say hello, then they all got on their way. They had various dramas along the way, not least Ray and Jenny having only a handbrake working! They met up with several people along the way, culminating in Grant Kearney in his green KR200 meeting them outside Edinburgh to escort them to the stop, all within 12 hours.
Ted and Mike decided that leeds to London to Edinburgh to Leeds was not enough so they carried on around Wales, still wanted more and headed off around Ireland, all on Mike's newly installed spare engine.

[Bob Purton]

You didnt chance it yourself them Marcus? Its the sort of thing that would make a great article for RCN, I dare say the Heinkel mags featured the story.

[marcus]

A) I was busy
B) I could not afford to go all the way to Scotland
C) There is no C)
D) My Velorex only had remaining cloth on its front, and was not really up to such a long run
E) I was not up for such a long run in a virtually body-free car, not in our climate!

I did think about it, and was tempted but common sense won me over. I mean, if anything had failed or fallen off where would I get spares? It was fun for a while, but I wanted a car with a club, available spares, help, advice etc. so later I p-ex'd it for a Trojan. The story was covered quite fully in the H-T club mags. I was already in the club and thinking of getting one, and Ray and Jenny let me drive theirs for a bit. Jenny sent me a DVD she put together with lots of photos and a few clips of film set against some music, and the club did a presentation folder for everyone involved in the run.
Mike and Ted covered hundreds of miles and lots of mountain climbing too. They had spares, food and drink and camping gear but still averaged 89 mpg!

[Bob Purton]

Oh, I didnt realise it was before you had DUF. Yes it would have been drafty in a naked Velorex!