$5000 Steering Wheel?

[Dosmo]

Saw this accessory steering wheel for a '49-50 Ford for sale on the Hemmings blog. I'm not one that pays much attention to this kind of stuff since I don't own an antique. However, the price on this one caught my attention. Is this price even remotely realistic, or is this just being offered up by someone who hopes there is a novice enthusiast willing to cough up the dough?

Accessory steering wheel for 1949-50 Ford, Steering Wheels for sale | Hemmings Motor News

[keiser31]

PLUS shipping????? Is that guy serious? I suppose there is no harm in asking for the $5,000....+. Doubt it will sell for that.

[auburnseeker]

I've sold a few NOS wheels and bought a few for my own stuff. I have never had this exact wheel. I think the best he could hope for is 1500. I've never had an NOS wheel that I have actually sold do more than 800.

[MarrsCars]

It's not always someone hoping for a novice buyer, I usually see this sort of thing coming from sellers who normally deal in other goods and think, "wow, old cars are worth lots of money so this wheel must be too!"

Edited June 7, 2012 by MarrsCars
spelling error (see edit history)

[1937hd45]

Well, you couldn't make an exact copy for that amount, but how many people are there that need a wheel like that? Spendy, maybe, but some people spend their money on dumb things. Babe Ruth jersey sells for record $4.4 million - MLB - Sporting News

[Guest Skyking]

Never underestimate what people will buy. My brother sold a set of NOS '59 Cadillac hubcaps for $10,000 on epay. They are certainly out there.

[Guest Foggy norm]

NOS plastic, good for static display. Start using it and next year the crack's show up.

[Amphicar BUYER]

This is why they call it "fishing" and not "catching." I have seen about 3 or 4 of the same Amphicars that for several years have been for sale at 50% above what they should be asking. You never know who may bite. So the guy with this wheel may find somebody with money and loves the wheel. As they say "there is an butt for every seat."

One guy got me to drive to Nebraska to look at his Amphicar telling me he had no idea what it was worth. I knew of this car for 15+ years so I knew it was there. He was a great actor, friendly and played the part well. He said he had not tried to sell it before and wanted my opinion. I drove out there and laying on the seat were several ads for that car listing a price about $30k above it's full retail value. His wife was so mad at him when I looked at them both and said I won't value nor make an offer on the car as they lied to me and took advantage of me. I heard her tell him "I told you you get the papers out of the car didn't I?" That car is still for sale and has been for 5 years that I'm aware of now.

[Guest prs519]

Seems to me that fat cats buying the very best examples at Barrett Jackson and other auctions cause some ridiculous notions to stick in the head of onlookers, and others who might happen to read about a hemicuda bringing 1.1 million and more, and think therefore that their Plymouth Duster from 1970 with the slant six should therefore be worth a substantial percentage of such crazy auction prices -- which I think are driven by the exceitement of the moment, and also by the pride of those who want to show they are too rich to be outbid! I recall there was a ultra-low mileage amphicar which had a stupendous final gavel amount. I noticed that thereafter, all those who were selling Amphicars reckoned that, therefore, their honeys should command truly outrageous prices. After a time, reality sets in, with the cars ultimately offered for less money than they were before the legendary example became known! Am I misreading something? Do you agree?