Shoemaker, stick to your last. (Or: buy now!)

Times change. And then everything changes. The times we live in now are generally considered, at the very least, "messy." Too much power in the hands of overly old rulers or a wave of younger administrators driven solely by ambition. It's all political and inhumane. And undesirable. Can you and I change anything about it? But in the meantime, we're living in strange, uncertain times. And what do people do in such times (because they've happened before)? They become paralyzed. They cling to their preconceived notions. That sort of thing. They don't seize new opportunities or ideas.

And that's where we, classic car enthusiasts, come in. Because all that tension is stagnating the market. That's a bit of a pain if you're trying to sell something—like I've been doing with my Guzzi V7 for two years now 😊—but it's definitely a plus if you're looking to buy something.

In the classic car segment of – say, €15.000 to €25.000 – sales have become sluggish. For motorcycles, the price range is between €6.000 and €11.000. This range in euros has traditionally been the upper mid-range. And it's precisely in this segment that buyers have become cautious. People in that segment are generally quite serious, focused buyers. You can also find a buyer quite easily for a classic car worth €100,000+. Above €1.000.000, classics still sell like hotcakes. But in the mid-range? There, sales have been hampered by fear. While all the figures indicate the money is there… Fear and uncertainty are even greater motivators than greed and sex.

Dylan already sang it: The times, they are a-changing.
Not so long ago, until a few years ago, machines like BMW R90Ss and the fatter, sportier Guzzis were top-of-the-line. Everyone wanted something so beautiful. We even saw a documented case of an R90S going for €21.500. But now? BMW R90S prices in the Netherlands are now well below five figures. And suddenly, you get a lot of bike for your money.

We were in Genemuiden during the adoption of a Chang Jiang engine. That's where Richard Busweiler has his Ural and Dnepr empire. Richard sells his ex-Soviet three-wheelers throughout Europe. Preferably for cash and without a trade-in. But that's just daydreaming. And because some people develop good taste a bit later, Richard "has to" trade in sometimes.

And that's where his specialty takes its toll. Because if Richard had kept an eye on the market outside his area of ​​expertise...

Meanwhile, he owns a beautiful R90S and a gorgeous, customized Guzzi. That BMW is completely original. As an R90S should be.

The Guzzi is a neat, recently overhauled and restored Moto Guzzi 750 S3, one of only 998 ever built. The Guzzi now stands on unique Magni star wheels, but the original high-shouldered Borranis are also included. Cylinders have been bored out to 950cc. The V-twin is equipped with twin-spark ignition, and the beefy Dell'Orto carbs complete the package. The Guzzi exhales through Lafranconi carbs. The frame and engine numbers are original to a 750 S3. A T3 headset has been installed for a slightly better fit; the original headset with headlight horns is also included, of course.

That sounds like stuff buyers would have fought over just a few years ago. And now? Richard concludes, surprised: "I only see viewers on the site. But no one has even come to look at it yet."

That's indicative of a buyer's market. But across the market, it's a trend that makes purchasing your dream classic car – at least "almost" – realistic.

We offer these thoughts for your consideration.
And soon we'll get back to work with our reverse piggy bank.

Because who ever got happy looking at a stack of bank statements?

And you get a midlife crisis when you start thinking about the things you just didn't do.

And while you're at it, try finding your classic car in unexpected places. You know what you'll find at reputable brand or model specialists.

But let's dare to try some things again!