126 Bits on ebay

[Dom]

No real reason for this post, but i have just done a search for 126 parts on ebay and am just astounded at the extortionate prices that parts seem to sell for of late.

Take for example a standard wasted spark coil @ £48.49 + £5 postage!
or a clutch kit for £130! Pretty seized looking engine for £150.

What is going on? Is this just a time of the month thing or is it a trend here to stay?

Points for £22! Am I going MaD?!

[kamilb1998]

Anyone seen this its quite expensive at £1,580. Its a reconditioned Abarth engine. But at that price its never going to sell.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-500-126-650cc-ABARTH-STYLE-COMPLETE-RECON-ENGINE_W0QQitemZ200430429520QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2eaa95a550#ht_2203wt_939

[Jan-in-UK]

I am affraid it is a trend Dom. On every merket if something becomes more popular and demand is bigger all hyenas will come out and try to bite a little bit of this cake. And obviously majority of them will wind the prices up. Another thing is - even Poland is going to be more expensive from day to day, for two reasons: there is not a lot of good parts left, replacement parts are so bad quality that people who manufacture good once will ask serious money.
But all this doesn't justify seized engine for £150 and other bobs in enormus prices.
Just of of curiosity - decent 100% original chrome bumpers 126's sells at the moment in POLAND for easily more than £1000......
Not even mention othe polish made cars as these can cost as much as 3, 4 times more....
Things are just about to change for more expensive I think.

[Amateb8]

I am speculating here but could it be that due to the continued increase in petrol prices and the rising cost of motoring as a whole, many are becoming attracted to small cars like the 126. Furthermore, perhaps owners that have abandoned their 126 have decided to have a go at restoring them. There appears to be a rise in good condition and some fully restored 126's for sale like the ones advertised in Practical Classics, Classic Monthly and Car and Classic, selling for under 3K. It is debatable whether this cars will sell for the asking price but given the changing sentiment favouring small and fuel efficient cars, the 126 could be the ticket if one is looking for a small classic car.

[Jan-in-UK]

Agreed 100% Amateb. People will look for a cheap classic car for local use. This will push prices up. I would take a risk and say it won't be long when proper. 126 in brilliant condition will fetch these 3K.

[michaelodonnell500]

Pretty seized looking engine for £150.

I think he must have seen your comments, price is now £80!!

[Dom]

So it has!

I think if you are selling something you are not too familiar with, the only way to really set a price is to compare it to other 'similar' products on the market. With 500/126 engines, they seem to go for totally random prices, as we've seen from £1580.00 for an "Abarth Spec" engine down to 99p for an old 500 engine, so in his defence they were probably trying to find a happy medium based on these.

And you are totally right when you say it is a supply/demand thing as even silly 'Gucci' tuning parts have rocketed in value. I bought my 4.5 Litre 'Abarth like' sump for £45 about 2 1/2 years ago. they now sell for > £200!

[Amateb8]

You always had to pay a premium for brand new abarth stuff and other tuning accessories but even used ones still command a good price. I think prices can only go up, probably even more so now, in that there are less of these available.

[Chris Lakin]

at this rate my 126s will be my pension fund!!