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And you wonder why Packards are no longer made and why Packard people are too frequently seen as aloof and snobbish?

Oh, the sordid topic of coin!

there's a pragmatic reason. The description doesn't change - the value does. Creates an update issue.

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Of course it does. So? It's neither torturous or cruel. Every couple of years---or when and if the market goes nuts, you print a new card. Assuming you are insured, you should be on top of this as a matter of course.

There are always non issues that keep coming up as issues--like this one.

Setting a value isn't that difficult, in part because the item isn't for sale. If you have a Darrin in #1 condition, just use the price guide or look at the last auction for something similar. It isn't about being worth exactly 362, 292,13 dollars, because that figure will be incorrect tomorrow. It's about the illusion of accuracy, which is what a price guide is.

If you won't pay that, it isn't worth it to you....but then you aren't the buyer.

If this is the most asked question, we should have a suitable strategy to give a reasonable answer. I saw a similar car sell for xxxxxx dollars last winter is fine. In the case of my car I could say that it costs less than a new car if I want to be vague, not that I have any reason to be so coy.

When we get cute about the value it makes us look bad/arrogant/aloof/snobbish. What good comes from that?

There, I've said enough on this topic.....

I would think a better piece of information for a Museum to post if they felt the need to post something in regards to a cars monetary value, would be what the car originally sold for new, and perhaps what that translates into today dollar. This isn't subject to auction or speculative values, but is a firm number that would only change with inflation.

For example, my '54 Clipper Deluxe sold for $2,692 new in 1954, which is the equivalent of $18,046 in todays money.

Now those are real dollars that the average person can understand.


Here is a calculator is anyone else wants to check their car's value in todays money. You can get the original sales price from the Model Info Pages.

1soft.com/todaysdollars.htm

Regards,

Kevin,

Well done! I was thinking the same, but decided not to post as the clutter on this topic was getting too deep.

However... Automobiles, unlike fine art objects, are something that most of us can more easily relate to. We buy and drive our motor vehicles on a regular basis. Some of us even collect, restore, display, and tour our vintage vehicles. Price/value information (like you suggest) would be appropriate for an auto museum to display, unlike museums that display fine art objects.

Welcome back. I have driven the PCH and it is a wonderful route with views not to be forgotten. It is even better in an open car, preferably a 2-seater.

(o[]o)

Hmmm.... Kevin, your calculator seems to be off - it only adjusts for inflation up to 2002/3.

You would be better off using the government provided calculator:bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm/

Ok....so then it would be $22,964.86!

I agree that the cost in today's dollars is a much better figure. People who weren't there and have no real conceptualization of the *thing* on display ask in an attempt to gain a better understanding of what it is they're looking at. I think the owner's inability to answer leads to the awkwardness. What's it worth? What some self appointed know it all in some self righteous 'Price guide'says? What two people with more money than sense or appreciation bid recently? The point is, you cannot value desirability, but you can offer a frame work of understanding to the uninformed so that they can better appreciate the unknown.

I like the inflation adjusted price idea, although I still think they don't want to invite larceny and so they don't show numbers.

Once when I was accused of taking too long on something I responded "This car cost twice the price of the average American home when it was new." Rolls-Royce owners never complained about things like that (That would be 10 times for a typical PII).