Re: The Great Gatsby

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2011/11/5 23:26:57

Gatsby was putting up a front. His wealth came from being an associate of Wolfsheim the gambler and fixer and participating in semi legal dealings.

In this milieu one never buys anything retail and never pays full price. There is always someone selling a fancy car to settle a gambling debt, or to raise money for a fast deal, or because they have to skip town. The going rate is half list price or less.

No doubt Gatsby got his car this way. What make or model is not stated but there were a lot of very expensive imported makes sold in New York in the early twenties. In those days even Renault made a 9 liter behemoth that looked as big as a fire engine.