Before I get started:
1. There's an azz for every seat
2. Asking prices don't reflect what the vehicle will actually sell for
3. You can always ask for less, but not usually more
4. Restorations are EXPENSIVE
5. It's very easy to get carried away once you're in there (the slippery slope)
6. Given enough time everything sells...maybe
Of all the cars I've owned (there have been many), the ony one I miss (and regret selling) is a 1961 VW 23-window Deluxe Microbus, with mods: correctly lowered, disc brakes, desirable factory colors, Porsche Fuchs, 2110cc engine, "freeway flyer" trans, nice "patina", complete interior, safaris, blah, blah, yada, yada. I sold it in the mid-'90s to pay off my college loans. So for the last several years I've been looking at early buses. I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger as I'm still very much in love with my 993. And I'm still trying to finagle a way to keep it and buy a bus...we'll see what the next two years brings.
I have very specific taste in what I'm looking for. I want a driver. Some rust is okay and expected. Mods are preferred (stock buses aren't really that much fun), but no stoopid customs. I'm confident I'll never be able to afford another 23 or 21-window, so I'm looking at dual-cabs (the crew cab with a pickup bed) and 15-window models...might consider a 13-window. I prefer the "bullet" turn signals to the "sunny side egg", so a '61 or earlier.
In one of my recent searches, I find this. Don't get me wrong, it appears to be done right (hard to tell from lack of pics in the ad and the video was shot from a drone). Regardless, it looks super nice. IMHO, it was "done right" on the wrong bus. This kind of money opens the door to 21-windows with better mods and more desirable options. I'm not even sure at $60K I'd be a buyer; it's stil missing the "cool" factor I want. However, I like the walk-through option. So with a "buy now" of $124,500 and an option to make offer, I feel this is a case of trying to recoup all the money spent on an expensive restoration...not always possible.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Volkswagen-Bus-Vanagon-13-window-deluxe-WalkThru/263560396270?hash=item3d5d6c7dee:g:EYQAAOSweRlasOq K&vxp=mtr
Is it a case of somebody watching what a much more rare early 23-window bus did at auction (have seen them go for $150s and higher) and thinking they can get the same because they have a bus too? Do they not really want to sell it? Throw it out there for rediculous asking price (similar to what we see in the Porsche world) and see what bites?
I don't mean to imply a bitter tone. I just don't get it. The other thing keeping me from pulling the trigger, is that this type of money opens the door for other cars that have been on my list. I'd seriously have to consider a 356C or some type of 356 "outlaw".
A screen capture of the ad in case it goes missing:
