Fw: Re: Alfa Orfans (Alpha Orphans?)

["Paul Bayly" <thebaylys@domain.elided>]

-------Original Message-------

From: Paul Bayly
Date: Saturday, 11 January 2003 08:42:16 AM
To: karld@domain.elided
Subject: Re: Alfa Orfans (Alpha Orphans?)

Karl, while I won't argue the point about free market economics I believe
the main reason MGB bodyshells are available new is that the original
presses and stamps were made available for sale and some enterprising
(sympathetic ?) organisation bought the gear and saved it from the scrap
heap.  They may have simply moved in to the original factory premises.

I doubt that Alfa did the same with say 105 GTV manufacturing equipment.   A
real shame because I believe there would be a market for accurate complete
(galvanised !) 105 shells, along with other models.

Beatle,
Oz

-------Original Message-------

From: karld@domain.elided
Date: Saturday, 11 January 2003 07:12:51 AM
To: alfa-digest@domain.elided
Subject: Alfa Orfans (Alpha Orphans?)

In reply to the person who said they could build an entire MGB from catalog
parts:

I'm an advocate of studying free market economics: if there is a high enough
global demand for a certain part at a profitable price, it will most likely
be
produced. I therefore assume that there is a higher demand for reproduction
MGB bodyshells than for Alfas. If there is an economic profit, someone like
Caribou or Re-Originals would probably have them built.

As a Studebaker owner, I often see people who need a NLA 60 year part to
complete their restoration. What do they do? Ask around in the club magazine
and see how many people would be willing to cough-up some cash for
reproductions. A 500 or 1000 piece minimum order would get quickly be
purchased by other owners and by the handful of parts vendors who will stock
them for the next few years at a significant markup. Problem solved,
everybody
happy (if their cost and demand projections were correct)

Summary: If you are concerned about a particular part being NLA, why not do
something about it if you have the time and the capital to invest? Have some
parts built, sell some on eBay, wholesale some to Alfa parts vendors, have
fun, make the world more beautiful by keeping Alfas on the road. The study
of
human bahavior and economics will explain many things!

Soapbox off. Now where's that bloody bumper thingy I need for my 164LS? Who
wants to go in with me and make 1000 of them?

Karl
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