Well, posting from under the rock we pump part dealers live under (since we are such scum & all), I'd just like to say that Darryl hit the nail right square on the head about as square as you can hit it. I'll give one of probably a thousand examples I COULD give about why there is a place for reproduction items (like, how many '32 Fords would've been at Louisville last week without new parts?). But the best example I can give is this:
About 5 years ago, we received a purchase order for 250 reproduction clockface bowsers from Fuddrucker's restaurants. These are all date-stamped & otherwise obvious reproductions. We always add an ID tag on the back that had our info on it. We fulfilled the order in our alloted 24 month time frame. Since then, I have lost count, but I'd estimate somewhere around 30-40 guys who saw the pumps in Fuddrucker's have called as brand new, never realized there was such a thing as petroliana, customers. Most, if not all have stated a desire to own an original, which of course we obliged placing dozens of original pumps in new collector's garages or gamerooms. Some bought the repro clockfaces like they saw while they were eating those oh so tasty burgers and then later on decided to "trade up" to an original. The point is, MANY, not all, but MANY collectors (whether you think they are true or pure or whatever) enter on the repro level until they get acclimated to the prices that originals command or until they learn the real ropes of finding & buying original stuff.
Look, obviously everyone knows which side of my toast gets buttered, but I truly can appreciate BBQ's passion & commitment where petroliana is concerned. But I would hope that anyone even those radically opposed to my livelihood, could at least see SOME merit in my above real-life account. Heck, the business that I own & operate was spawned simply because my father-in-law wanted his Wayne 60 to have a nozzle rest & fork. That seems like a simple desire, and that's how businesses are started....finding a need & filling it. If there wasn't a massive need for parts, I'd use my degree and go be a Financial Planner.
Anyway, just a guy feeding four kids by selling new & (OLD
) pumps & parts.....
[This message has been edited by Seth Robbins (edited 08-17-2007).]
