Author Topic: Quantity versus Quality (Read 371 times)

sigtauenus · « **on:** November, 24, 2010, 06:33:47 AM »

I regularly read several Mustang forums, and it seems as though on each one, there are always projects in various stages from the undriven wasting away hulk, to the disassembled rust bucket in the garage, to the ducted taped together daily driver, to the nice original condition, to the restored driver, to the trailer queen. That said, I've noticed over the past few years that there are more and more cars that getting the full resto treatment.

So then I started thinking about the Mustang market in general, and how with millions of cars made, and a significant number of them wrecked, parted, or otherwise disposed of, how does the population of remaining cars look? If I tried to plot it, I'd say you have a steadily decreasing line of Mustangs available since any given model was produced. However, what is happening with the plot of the quality of those cars? I am thinking that with the hobby today, and the car taken to maintain all original cars and the effort to restore the basket cases, that the plot of the quality/condition line might look like a line steadily decreasing initially, but at some point turning back upward. Is this possible?

So here is the thought today. Of the remaining Mustangs, focus on 65-73, are they in generally the worst condition due to aging, or are we looking at them as generally being in better condition than they've been in for a couple decades? I'd equate this to a Darwinian survival of the fittest, where the cars that have survived are kept in good condition and the real beaters have been scrapped.

34isgreat · « **Reply #1 on:** November, 24, 2010, 11:53:09 AM »

Deep thoughts!

I think the economy could play a roll in this. I just do not see as many people with the extra income to do a trailer queen. I don't have that kind of money and my car will get the best I can afford but please do not look at my under-carrage. I make good money but with 2 in collage it is hard to have a Mustang habit. My wife says I need to go to rehab!

KBMWRS · « **Reply #2 on:** November, 24, 2010, 01:15:06 PM »

Those who can afford to ARE restoring them
Some who can't still know of their value (future) and hold on to them.
Those that can't afford to even hold on to classics sell them to those who think they will or do will restore them.
I doubt if there are many that take a classic and just junk it.

cmayna · « **Reply #3 on:** November, 24, 2010, 01:34:24 PM »

Well I still keep preaching to my wife "Honey it's the quality, not the quantity". She still goes "Humph!!"

Epperstang · « **Reply #4 on:** November, 26, 2010, 01:09:56 PM »

We have several mustangs in the EPPERSTANG collection that were going to the crusher if we hadn't saved them. Most were brought back as nice drivers. Because they are driven they do get rock chips, leaks, etc that make them non-competetive at more than a local show. But they are on the road and enjoyed. From financial standpoint people probably think we're nuts. But this is our hobby, we spend for enjoyment (priceless) not for investment (I have a house and 401K for that). So from my perspective the plot line has risen.
J.