This P15 hood ornament insert went for....

[BobT-47P15]

.....$275. Had 26 bids. The winner must be restoring a P15 as he has

made several purchases from MrPlymouth1948 also. So, where are all

these P15s anyway---they don't appear at any local shows here.

Oh, and the $1600 brass fire extinguisher hasn't sold yet with only a few

hours left to bid.

Ever see a rear window wiper kit for P15 or D24??? One for sale now.

Guess you need all that hose to get from the vacuum source to the rear.

[62rebelP23]

i like that rear wiper kit... never heard of that option for anything but newer wagons! it's the thing for that guy who has EVERYTHING...

[Plymouthy Adams]

62rebelP23

be in Charleston this coming weekend..little family business to attend to..visit family and while there will pick up a V6 with 4 speed tranny guy called me and said it was mine for the taking. He has already pulled it and waiting for me to grab it..she be a smooth runner with the motorcraft 2 bbl not the funky weber setup...

[oldmopar]

.....$275. Had 26 bids. The winner must be restoring a P15 as he has

made several purchases from MrPlymouth1948 also. So, where are all

these P15s anyway---they don't appear at any local shows here.

Can't count shows for car owners. I personally do not like shows I never put any of my vehicles in one, don't like to sit there all day. You may see me on the road but never sitting at a show.

Ed

[Plymouthy Adams]

and now that is the new baseline for ornaments on e-bay..

[Norm's Coupe]

and now that is the new baseline for ornaments on e-bay..

Only for the people willing to pay that kind of money. The only reason people get that kind of money for a few bucks worth of plastic, is when someone is crazy enough to pay that.

I'm with Oldmopar on the car shows. I've taken my coupe to a couple of Goodguys shows and that's enough for me. Don't like sitting there all day either. Would rather just make a fast walk through, then go do something else. I might do a fast cruise in, but won't sit there from the beginning to the end.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Norm..normally that is true..but people who happen to have one of these will now do a search on listing..see what the last one went for..ie the new listing price..not to say they will get it but it will be a time before a re-established lower price will become effective...the P15 clock is a prime example...I bought my excellent clock at a swap meet for 20.00....just last year...man was asking 25.00 had to use my most feindish bargining tactics...

[Norm's Coupe]

Tim, as you so aptly put it, the key is to get out and walk around the swap meets when you want something. The clock is a good example. You paid what the clock is probably worth. However, that same clock on ebay would go for $150 or more, which is way overpriced for a clock that doesn't work, or even one that does work. But........as long as people foolishly bid those high prices, they'll keep selling for that.

A few years ago at one of the large swap meets here I found an NOS Mopar Electric Gas Cap, still in the box. The guy was asking $50 for it. I really didn't want it all that bad, so offered $30 for it. He said he could get $100 on ebay. I then ask him why he was wasting his time sitting at the swap meet for three days, just sell on ebay, then walked away. My gas cap comes off nice and easy anyway with a slight turn manually. Sure, you could open the gas cap from inside the car with the electric one, but you still have to get out and manually pump the gas, so what's the difference.

Now, I know a lot of people say they don't have a swap meet close to them, so they buy on ebay. However, I may live in a major city but we still don't have a large swap meet that close to us. Closest large swap meet (Jefferson, WI) is about 60 miles (one way) from here and the other large one (Iola, WI) is about 125 miles (one way). I've been hitting both Jefferson meets twice a year and only missed one or two Iola meets in the last 18 years. I don't call either of those close to me. There are also a couple of smaller ones close to me I attend each year. So, it's the buyers making those high prices on ebay because they can't get their rear ends out of the house.

[martybose]

almost $2400, and two guys were in a bidding war at that price! Makes the one that I got a few years ago for $450 an absolute bargain!

Marty

[Plymouthy Adams]

Norm..I hit a couple swap meets each years..in my case I go for the pure fun of it..I also have been taking advantage of swap meets to meet up with some long lost buds who now live far awy..if I find something..so much sweeter the day..else I just write it off as entertainment...however E-bay does do a service..and more and more you have to have the deep pockets...sometimes I think dealer/business are running these prices up do to the open end restoration contract their customers signed...as always..it boils down to "GOTTA PAY TO PLAY"

[BobT-47P15]

I got a pretty nice P15 clock a couple years ago for $15 at a small swap area that was part of a car show. The guy had an assortment of all makes parts

and evidently didn't know those clocks are solid gold.

I had to give $100 for my new hood ornament insert. Had looked for many years and never found a new one around here. Thought it was outrageous

at first, but have concluded it may be a better deal than some others.

I think part of the reason these parts go so high is that some guys

are perfectionists about their car, they see it as an investment rather than

something to drive and enjoy, and have the money to pay those prices. Then you get the high dollar restored or resto-rod Plymouths for sale later.

Just my opinion.

[Norm's Coupe]

Tim,

I agree and disagree. You may have to "Pay to play", but you don't have to "Pay for overpriced parts". It's like when I was looking for a new metal strip that goes over the door that holds the headliner up. I kept looking at swap meets, called a few junk yards and looking on ebay for them. Did find a pair on ebay. Also was on a pair that pair of used ones on ebay until the price went over $40 (including estimated shipping), then quit. That pair went for about $75 or $80 (plus shipping) before it was over. WAY OVER PRICED!! I finally decided to try and make one myself. Went down in the basement, got out some scrap metal out. Within an hour or two of work on the scrap metal I was able to make an exact duplicate of the part, using my old rusted out one as a pattern. My cost. Free, since the metal was scrap anyway. Out of all that I've done with my coupe over the years, there are only two parts on it that came off ebay. One was a re-chromed front bumper, the other was a re-chromed hood ornament minus the plastic. Paid $67 (including shipping) for the bumper and $75 for the hood ornament. It's also interesting to note that I have zero parts on my coupe that I bought at a swap meet. Bought them all direct from Mopar vendors direct via the phone, or in person. Picked up an extra rolling chassis, a pair of good rear fenders and the wiper knob from a guy I know locally. All that only cost me $75. He threw in the wiper knob free. Could have bought a complete parts car from him for $100 if I wanted at the time. That was about 1996. So.........you don't have to over pay on ebay or swap meets if you keep your ears and eyes open, or make your own parts when needed.

My old plastic insert is ok right now. Would like a new one for a spare if nothing else. However, I won't pay anywhere near what Bob paid for his either for a little piece of plastic. Push comes to shove and my plastic breaks, I'll remove the hood ornament and make a new bullnose to replace it with.

Just remembered, there are two pieces on my coupe that came from a swap meet. That's a pair of tail light bezels. Think both combined was only about $40 and are almost perfect.

Like you when I go to a swap meet, I go just to have a day out with the guys. Only time I buy something is when I see something interesting for resale or trade, a tool or two sometimes or some little trinket like the whirley gig for the yard I bought in September at the last meet. Not really looking for anything in particular.

[wilmot andy]

That Edmunds head that sold for $2400, now theres another one with opening bid of $2000, buy it now for $2200! I've sold a few things on ebay, and it is easy to search and find a part, but the prices are driving up way too high.

[Norm's Coupe]

That Edmunds head that sold for $2400, now theres another one with opening bid of $2000, buy it now for $2200! I've sold a few things on ebay, and it is easy to search and find a part, but the prices are driving up way too high.

I've made a little off ebay too in the past. I remember once I was making copies of the P15 Woody Body diagram that also had the part numbers and listed one of them on ebay. The diagram is poster size, and had to have them made at Kinko's. Think I started the bidding at about $7 or $8. Then when I checked it a few days later it was up to about 24 or $25 with several people bidding. I wrote each of them a note and told them to stop bidding, I could make more copies if they wanted one. However, by the time I closed the auction they had bid it up to about $35. I then reduced the price back down to the $24 price for each of them. Who knows how high that would have gone if I didn't stop it. The listing clearly stated they were bidding on a copy, not the original. Still have the original copy, wonder what that would bring if I put it up there. Not going to sell it though.

Things really get out of hand on ebay.

[JIPJOBXX]

E-Bay gives you the world not just a swap meet. Sure you might pay more but if you want that item bad enough you will get it by hook or crook. I bought a NOS Fender for my Dodge oft of e-bay, now you think I could have found one at a swap meet? Maybe but not very likely. Jon:cool:

[Captain Neon]

I haven't gone to a swap meet in years. My dad and I used to go to Iola every year, but after changing jobs a few times (no vacation time) and moving a lot (too far just to go to a big car show). I get frustrated w/ swap meets. I get tired of looking at the same old Chevy parts everyone has. That was years ago. It can have only gotten worse as fewer and fewer people are into old MoPar. I've met a few people that are surprised to see an old Plymouth on the road since most restorers are doing Fords and Chevies. Cheaper to restore (reproduction parts) and better price (higher demand). I am glad that most guys restoring MoPars truly love the old girls. Still good restorable cars have been rusting out because the professional old car dealers are avoiding the MoPars when worse Fords and Chevies were saved because there was more profit. I can only save one car at a time and I've spent the last 20 years w/ just one car. If there was more money in old Plymouths, one pro may have saved dozens in 20 years. BTW, I love eBay! There are a couple of things that I'd like for my P15, and I bid. Sometimes I win, more often I don't. I saved a few hood ornaments w/ OK plastic so that I'd have them if and when my current plastic broke. It is likely that at some point an absent-minded person (most likely me, but I try to remember not to) will close her hood by grasping on to the hood ornament and the old plastic will splinter apart. I occassionally see some pitted hood ornaments with OK plastic on eBay. I think I have enough for my own stash.

[Normspeed]

I enjoy swaps, but I only hit a few per year. I usually have a list of goodies I'd like to find, and usually come home with something else instead. I bought both my P24 and my teardrop at the L.A. Roadster swap, years apart. I considered both to be fair deals, all things considered. I found this cool gizmo at a swap for cheap. I don't even have vacuum wipers! Snake oil, but fun anyhow.

[BobT-47P15]

At the swap meets, I usually look for ANYTHING that goes on the P15.

At Springfield, MO this summer I found a pretty good radio grille minus the

round disc in the middle. It was $5. Good for a spare. Maybe someday I

will find another workable (for me) P15 and the parts could be handy.

Also bought this fairly complete, but rusty dash at an area salvage yard for $25. More extras. The heater motor from that deal proved better than the one already in the car. So, have gotten my money's worth already.

[Robin (UK)]

Hey Bob,

I could use a hood release inner and outer cable, if you're planning to sell any parts from your spare dash.

Thanks.

Robin.

[Johnny S]

Over the years I've watch the prices go up and up on eBay as well. I've even benefited a little from that. However, with Mopar parts being so "threatened or endangered" at Swap Meets and gas so high I must say I'm beginning to become a real believer that it is more often than not truly a deal to pay more on eBay for those hard to find items. How many swap meets do you have to attend to find that one hard to find part ....... generally for me a LOT. Then all of a sudden it appears on eBay and I say "DANG" there it is!!! And I remember all of the gas and time and energy I've already spent looking for one of those "things". Which, by the way, remains fun to the nth degree for me anyway! So, my tendency has become more and more to jump into the eBay mix and bid it up if its what I need. And, the outcome is probably a better representation of what the true value of that item is when placed out among a group of people who want it versus the one person who finds it by chance at the swap meet. This is particularly true when the item isn't in much demand locally (right at the swap meet) but literally has a worldwide demand because it is generally something that is not available, and probably isn't being reproduced. A good example for me is the comparison between NOS 1949 Plymouth (P18) taillight lens and reflectors (which are not being reproduced) and those from the P15. You can't buy a set of NOS P18 lens for under 50-75 on eBay. And the reflectors go for up to $150 a set. But look for P15 taillight lens, reflectors and housings and you find them being reproduced in quality sets with LED's.!! Somebody picked up on the demand there.

[Norm's Coupe]

Johnny, I guess that's the difference with me. I have more patience than most I guess. Plus, I'm not all that concerned about buying the perfect/correct part. If I can't find the item at a reasonable price in a reasonable time, I'll go custom on that part. After all, even the high buck restorations are never perfect anyway, if you really look close. Life's too short for me to worry about things like a bolt that doesn't say DCPD on it in my car. Or, even a hood ornament.

That said, I really don't need any parts for my coupe. Just the time and energy to do what work needs to be done on it. But........when I was looking for parts, it made the hobby more interesting, fun and challenging. Now, the fun of the hunt is over, so part of the hobby fun is over.

As for those LED P15 tail lights. Well...........for the purist, they are not the answer either. They may look good, but they are also made out of plastic and they are 12 volt, not 6 volt. There are no reproductions that are glass, metal and for 6 volt P15 tail lights.

[BobT-47P15]

Johnny, the only problem with those nice LED lights for the P15 is the fact

that they're 12 volt. Not gonna help much on the cars staying 6v.

I also watch things on ebay. Haven't wanted certain items badly enough (yet) to pay some of the prices things get bid up to. But maybe one of these days I'll kick in for some better tail light frames and brake light housing. Interesting to see what unusual items appear along the way.

Our area swap meets usually have very little old Mopar stuff.

[Johnny S]

Norm, it sounds to me like you need another car and consequently a new series of hunts to go on. Maybe a new convertible? I've seen Bob's and its sweet.

I hate to think that any part of my enjoyment of the hobby will be over until they chunk me into that hole on the "wrong" side of the grass.

As you said, one can always find something "wrong" with the best of cars ...... which for me means the hunt is always on at one level or another for that next piece in the "upgrade".

[martybose]

(snip)

As for those LED P15 tail lights. Well...........for the purist' date=' they are not the answer either. They may look good, but they are also made out of plastic and they are 12 volt, not 6 volt. There are no reproductions that are glass, metal and for 6 volt P15 tail lights.[/quote']

True enough, but I'm not a POC purist, I'm building my car the way I want it. Ironically, I stayed with 6V for a long time, until I couldn't find an alternative to the unreliable OEM fuel gauge. I switched to 12V when I installed my Poly tank with a Stewart Warner fuel gauge, which works perfectly.

I've now got a set of the Technostalgia LED taillights, which work beautifully, and I am waiting for the February release of their new center stoplight assembly for the 46-48 Plymouth, which will have a new casting, 12V LED's, and will sell for $149. The back of my car will really light up then!

Marty

[Norm's Coupe]

Marty, I'm not a purist either. I was just making the statement that LED tail lights were for 12 volt cars. I have a poly tank to on my coupe. Had to run an extra ground from the sender to the body of the car to make the sender work.

Johnny, can't have another car. No place to put it, plus don't think I could handle another rebuild due to my arthritis now. That's another reason I still have to do finish the body work. Everything I do takes forever to finish now.