Hi Jim,

Doesn't the "Value" of an asset depend on the use that the owner of
the asset intends for it? If a Chevy V8 makes the vehicle perform the
same or better than the original engine, then what do I care what the
whole package is worth to a third party?

I bought my bus to drive, not as a retirement investment. I am
planning for it to wear it out right around the same time that my
aorta wears out, and not a minute sooner. "In the meanwhile I fully
intend to get the maximum possible use out of both, and if that means
that I have to use non-oem components to extend their operating
lives, so be it!

For me, the "value" of my bus doesn't enter into it.... not for a
heartbeat. The value in my bus comes from driving my family to
campouts to hang out with friends at the campfire, not from a list of
rare factory-installed options.

Your milage may vary.

Happy trails,

Greg Potts
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1973/74/79 Westfakia Conversion **Bob the Tomato**  LY3H
1977 Sunroof Automatic L63H/L90D
http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
http://www.busesofthecorn.com

On 23-Jun-06, at 11:55 PM, Jim Felder wrote:

> Which is worth more, a 1957 Jaguar with with the original engine,
> or with a much better Chevy V8? An MGA with a 1500 CC original
> engine, or an 1800 MGB replacement? In the short term, the so-
> called improvements work well and are desirable. In the long term,
> they are detrimental to value.