Let's start with a good Syncro Westy. $25K. Now have a professional
to an engine conversion. $15K, with brake updating too. Toss in a set
of 5 15" or 16" wheels, and matching tires. That's another $1K+. Now
get a good paint job. $2k-3k. You are now up to $45k "out the door".
And you haven't even touched the interior. Leather Recaro seats, add
another $3k. Maybe have Sewfine redo the interior? $5k. SA
Headlights? Hmm, wiring and what not...$500. Keyless entry? I have no
idea how much, but probably less than $1000. Let's say $500 with
labor assuming the vehicle already had central locking.

Locking front differential $1k. Decoupler, $1k installed. Overhaul of
transmission with taller gears $3k

That's $59K. There was some additional custom fabricating and
manufacturing. I'm not sure it was an addition $22k worth, but labor
costs aren't cheap. If it was wanted in a hurry, they could have
thrown more people on it and that could have contributed to extra cost.

High? Stop thinking in 1980 dollars.

On Mar 17, 2007, at 6:07 PM, mordo wrote:

> A beach shack and a vehicle are apples and oranges. Although with
> folks
> paying $82k to mod a VW Vanagon camper, that's beginning to
> approach the
> same kind of appreciation real estate offers.