The prices of classics have risen enormously in the last few years. They have become so expensive that real enthusiasts can no longer afford them. It is because the interest rate is so low. All capitalists now invest in classics.
What do you do with those stories?
If it is about the prices of classics as absolute top pieces, then it is true. Classics have become an investment instrument in that segment. But then he is about the types that were already very expensive from the first day in the showroom or unavailable to 'ordinary enthusiasts'. 25 Years ago I found an AC Cobra, a very nice car. And I couldn't pay him then. At the moment, I still think AC Cobras is incredibly beautiful. And I still can't afford them. But because you can keep dreaming about some things better, I still enjoy not having an AC Cobra.
And the fact that former army Harley's, the WLA and WLC's currently cost between 12.000-14.000? And that you bought such a thing - really - in 1961 with a sidecar for 110 guilders? Well, in 1961 a gross average annual salary was something like 7800 GOLDEN. That alone makes the 110 guilders different… But if you want it hard enough, a Harley like that is still affordable.
Affordable classics
And when you just ignore Sotheby and Pebble Beach and in the back of each AutoMotorKlassiek or if you look for detectives, you will see that a huge number of great classics are offered for well-arranged money. You also see crazy things. Three years ago I helped an acquaintance with the purchase of a Jawa 250 cc. That thing was dusty, had slept very long, but there was not much to fault. Even the notoriously bad chrome was still good. For how much did the brick-red two-stroke go to his new owner? For 350 euros. This weekend, for nostalgic reasons, I went to look at another thing like that. In fact, it could have been the twin brother of the previous one. Just as dusty and also only running 'in good faith'. And the absolute floor price? That was 750 euros. Because “1500 is asked for euros for a nice, driving person. The purchase was canceled. But at home I once delved into that matter. Price developments start somewhere. And thanks to the Internet, they can then spread like wildfire.
The Czechs and Slovaks want their things back
I think it started with that rumor. I get that. After the fall of communism, the Czechs and Slovaks wanted to get rid of everything that reminded them of the old regime. And they didn't have a clue about the market. Everything was taken away for small change by Dutch, German, Scandinavian and British traders and enthusiasts. The Jawas too.
And now things are getting better in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and the locals are sadly thinking about their greasy, smelly past. They now also have Internet and go looking. In addition, they discover what we Dutch still do not realize: In the Netherlands you usually find neat classics for little money. And look: a neat Jawa costs less in the Netherlands than in the Czech Republic or Slowaijke. That kind of thing goes on the Internet there. And after a while everyone lawed: "In the Netherlands you can score Jawa's for a good price". And the Dutch get the idea "My Jawa is still worth money" That stimulates dreams. And there are Czechs and Slovaks who had some money in hand and saw a trade model in it. But for most Czechs, even those legendary low Dutch Jawa prices were and cannot be achieved. Because someone who earns gross 800 euros in the month there, in the eyes of many of his countrymen, he is already doing very well. Even if he has three children.
But dreams continue, and left or right there are now about four people in Belgium and the Netherlands professionally busy raking the market to score old Jawas. In addition, their interest ends with the 634 types. But for its predecessors, the beawed Jawa's are already being asked for 250-1500 euros for a nice 1750 cc by the Dutch providers who also rely on the dreamed Internet prices.
Say that such a machine will have to raise such an 3.000 euro in the Czech Republic or Slovakia. Then he is just as inaccessible for most enthusiasts as the AC Cobra is for me.
And how long does it take for the Jawa prices and those of AC Cobras to stabilize or fall?
But for now you don't want to know what is currently being asked for an 350 cc Jawa twin.
Just take a look at https://motocykle.bazos.sk
