On buying things and rare opportunities

[LWJ]

So a number of years ago, I had lunch with a bunch of older gents. One had an extensive Jag collection and we chatted about cars. I told him how I would really love to own a 930. He asked if I knew where any were. I did. He said "knock on the door, that is how you buy things."

Well, I did knock. I did buy the 930. It was a great experience and tremendous lesson. He was absolutely correct.

So where is this going? I was checking out cool houses in rural places yesterday. I see a cute place really in the middle of nowhere and decide to check it out. It is cheap. I am a little bored. What is there to lose?

And in the barn under a car cover? I see a Fuchs wheel. Tire is flat. Paint color is light blue.

I really didn't want to drive out on an epic goose chase. So I shot the listing agent a note. Told them I would give them a meaningful finders fee.

Now I am on pins and needles. I know this is the longest of long shots. But you know what? Somebody has to win the lottery. And only people that swing the bat can make a hit.

Wish me luck.

[masraum]

Good luck! It would be great to see one of the Pelican fold to win!

Not that we aren't all winning in the grand scheme of things already.

[Cajundaddy]

Yep. I like to keep my eyes open and a bit of cash set aside because, sometimes opportunities arise.

Case in point- A fairly banged around 1955 Gibson Les Paul presented itself a while back. The purchase cost was well worth the cash and very gentle restoration that was needed. I think she has appreciated 20x.

[LWJ]

I get it. I have a reputation among my friends and family. I am Mr. buy low sell high. Having a little extra jingle on hand is always a great thing.

I would very much like to see this old Lester mentioned above. That is early!

[Cajundaddy]

Here she is. A Sunburst 1955 Gibson Les Paul Jr. with single dog ear P-90. Originally owned by a female country guitarist in Long Beach CA. She passed away and nobody in the family really wanted it so.... Now she compliments my project studio.

Pretty well banged up but the fretboard is in great shape so probably didn't get played seriously. The original tuners were completely shot but an OEM replacement set was just a few clicks away. A sharp eye will notice that she has a compensated bridge to improve intonation which is aftermarket. I experimented with this just to see if I liked it but I will re-string it with the original next time and just let it be what it was meant to be. A nice piece of music history and the only guitar I have that is older than I am.

Some famous players known for using the Les Paul Jr:

- Gary Moore in Thin Lizzy before he got Greenie

- John Lennon who had his modified extensively

- Leslie West of Mountain. Mississippi Queen might be the most famous LP Jr song of all time. Epic in-your-face tone.

- Bob Marley- The Wailers

- Billie Joe Armstrong- Green Day

[fanaudical]

Good luck!

[Gogar]

One of my best scores (by percentage) was because I missed a flight and went cruising pawn shops. I'm not gonna say it was worth it but it was worth it. I've had 2 of these for about 30 years now and no one even remembers I missed the flight.

Take that chance and maybe it'll work out for you! If it doesn't then do something else. That's all.

[KFC911]

^^^ Don't open that box or we are domed!

Is that one of those $10-15K "tube mics"? I used to daisy-chain my DAT recorder into (others' with) multiple mic setups that cost a small fortune at some live shows ... they "were sorta seriou$" about it all .

I just plugged in and then enjoyed the live shows as "they" did all the heavy lifting

Great recordings of live music ...

Win-win

[KFC911]

Oh yeah .... good luck LWJ!

I will never conduct a transaction with ANY of you guys without knowing I am losing ... eye$ wide open too

I am the world's worse horse trader

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I live for things like this, good luck and I hope everything works to your favor.

What did the Fuchs look like? all black center? polished petals? rim depth?

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I live for things like this, good luck....

I used to ask Tabby this ... 'cause I just don't tick like that ... never have.

Is it the $?
Is it the search?
Is it the business aspect ... maximizing returns?
Is it "winning" ... on some level?

'$plain it to me...

And I still won't understand

[stevej37]

The older I get the more I lean toward this one...
On sellng things and rare opportunities

Too much 'stuff' accumulates.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by KFC911

I used to ask Tabby this ... 'cause I just don't tick like that ... never have.

Is it the $?
Is it the search?
Is it the business aspect ... maximizing returns?
Is it "winning" ... on some level?

'$plain it to me...

And I still won't understand

none of those.

It's the luck that fascinates me. and the resulting piecing together of a life's puzzle starting with no pieces.

Some pieces you make yourself. Others you trip over walking down the street.

[KFC911]

Thanks Shaun! I knew it wasn't any of those choiches I offered .... too

Different strokes ... and yet we are all different... yet similar?

Differently similar ... or Similarly different?

I dunno...

[rfuerst911sc]

LWJ cool story and best of luck on the hidden treasure .

[LWJ]

To answer Sean. The wheel depth doesn't seem particularly deep. It is a front wheel only. Silver petals with a black center cap. Silver rim (aren't they all silver on the rim?). A hint of the front showing under the cover looks almost Gulf Blue.

A fun distraction to be sure!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

so it was probably a flat 6 so could be anything from a 69 to 77. I hope you are able to make this work and that the car is a longhood, though any impact bumper could eat crackers in my bed. And have done so.

[Tobra]

More than one wise old grey top has told me, you do not regret the things you do, you regret what you did not do.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by KFC911

I used to ask Tabby this ... 'cause I just don't tick like that ... never have.

Is it the $?
Is it the search?
Is it the business aspect ... maximizing returns?
Is it "winning" ... on some level?

'$plain it to me...

And I still won't understand

The thrill of the hunt I think. It's like a kid finding that one golden Easter Egg with $5 inside at a community Easter Egg hunt. I look around and most of the things I care about were not purchased new but rather used and cheap from someone who no longer wanted them. My dad set the bar for this buying old cars, motorcycles, and rung out airplanes. He would bring em home, spend a lot of time refurbishing them, use them for a while and re-sell @ 10x what he paid. I caught the fever.

[Gogar]

early '80s 944