Opinions solicited

I find myself rapidly cloisng in on Medicare, which, if you haven't gotten there kinda rings a bit of an internal bell...like longevity and reality. My home is almost paid for, I'm retired, and the wife is not too far from joining the ranks of the retired as well. We have a very comfortable life, thanks to a nice annuity, and SS kicks in a nice check each month as well. Money is not a worrisome problem for us, we have ample discretionary funds to enjoy and are healthy.

To the point...I have enough tied up in PSA slabs to buy a new corvette. Having owned two in my past, I am seriously considering converting my collection into cash and doing exactly that, buying a new corvette in 2010, the 55th anniversary of the corvette. It would take some time to sell all that I have, but I'm sure when the dust settles, that I would be very close, if not over the cost of a nice car...the Z06 may be a stretch, but you can only enjoy so much horsepower before you start paying for serious tickets. Once got hit for a 96mph in a 65mph zone....an OUCH moment!! Had to be the Deep Purple music and the lady from Dallas TX riding with me.

I realize the majority of collectors here are prewar collectors, but am just seeking opinions. I have no one to leave my collection to, and if I precede my wife, she wouldn't have a clue what to do with what I have and would probably get hosed by some buyer/dealer.

I envision just cruising through the US and Canada at our leisure, tops off, nice music and just following the wind.

Comments appreciated, what would you do?

Thanks,
Al

[barrysloate]

Well, it sure sounds like something you would really love to do, and that goes a long way in making a decision. My only reservation is the cards will hold their value or increase, while the car will likely lose value over time.

But it sounds like that is not of paramount importance to you, so I say go with what would make you happier.

[dstudeba]

Take high quality scans of your cards and sell them. Buy the Corvette and enjoy the time with your wife.

[Leon]

Believe it or not, before it's all said and done for me, I hope to be in the same type position. I would absolutely go for it. I look at sports cars and drool almost every day. Before I was married I had them....and when the daughter gets out of school, I retire AND if I am fortunate enough to have the resources.....a great sports car will be where I go. And yes, I would sell my cards to get there. Perfect question and easy answer for me. Before I was married I used to drive like a crazy person (fast).....Fortunately I never had, or caused, a wreck during those times. In another life I would race cars for a living.......So, hopefully when I retire I (and my better half) can pull a sports car behind a big 'ole RV and see the States......(I got pulled over doing 110mph on 635 in Dallas....didn't get a speeding ticket though)

I know corvette was born in 1953, not 1955, but I'm still thinking of getting a 2010...all depends on style, blah, blah.

I had a 1973 yellow coupe. There is nothinglike the thrill of driving a corvette with all that power at your foot, nice sounds playing, tops off and just cruising. My '73 was loaded, Edelbrock intake, Holley 780, Hooker headers, 4-speed 350. In a crazy, crazy moment, I once hit 146 mph going down I-85 in Atlanta. I've since learned to respect the speed limit.

Thanks for the posts...if I pull this off, I promise to post a pic, may take quite a while, but I will one day.

[slidekellyslide]

From the gist of your post it sounds really like your mind is made up and you are looking for confirmation. I think you're making the right decision. Go for the Vette!

[3-2-count]

Al
I'd take the "CAR" behind door #2. Without question......
Go for it!!!!!!!!!!

Tony A.

[tedzan]

TedBallgame

In 1972, I acquired my 1st vintage T-Bird (just prior to renewing my interests in BB cards). It was the 25th anniversary of my favorite.....the 1957.
Fortunately, it was a year before that great movie, American Graffiti.....because after this movie, vintage Vettes and T-Birds tripled in value.

Then in 1993, I sold a bunch of my BB cards to acquire my 1960 T-Bird.

Having been there and done that....my advice to you is go for the Vette. Vintage BB cards are great....they can transport your mind back to some
really great BB memories....but, they cannot transport you to great places in this great country.







1960 T-Bird




TED Z

[vwtdi]

I did the exact thing with some of my collection when I retired. I agree with everyone here....take your time selling, have fun doing it, don't give anything away, shoot for the ZR1 and settle for the Z06 .

[jobermeyer2]

While I haven't taken the plunge to sell off my entire collection, I have sold off chunks of it at various times to fund other interests outside the hobby, including a trip to Europe with my wife and, most recently, what will soon be converted into some new camera equipment and a Mac so that I can "take the next step" with my photography.

In my experience, it has always been worth it to sell and reinvest in your other interests. The fact that you have reached the point where you've given it a lot of serious thought implies that you're probably ready.

I also agree with a previous poster - why not buy a nice scanner if you don't have one already and scan your collection before selling it? I actually photographed my B18 set before starting to sell it off. True, pictures aren't the same; but they're still great to have and, after all, baseball cards are really a type of picture in and of themselves...

Jeff

[Ladder7]

Al,

Now what does the little man inside you say?.. You've gotta listen to the little man. -Cosmo Kramer

[Anthony S.]

If you can find a way to feel the exhilaration of driving around a 1910 Unglaub, keep the cards. Failing that, buy the Vette. At least half the fun of card collecting is the process of trading for and acquiring cards and embarking on new sets. You could still do that in future.

[D. Broughman]

I'm keeping my collection for Grandson(3Granddaughters so far) and riding my Harley. D.

[TUM301]

Hey TeddyB, get the vette crank Space Trucking way up and let her rip! Good Luck

[ullmandds]

I agree with most everyone here...it sounds like you've given it a lot of thought...so sell the cards..and buy the car.

I'm a lot younger than you are...just turning 40 next week...but I think about selling my cards for land...or other things from time to time...as they sit in a shoebox that I look at from time to time...but I can't really "use" them for anyting!!! Interests change...circumstances change...do what will make you happy!

[Jacklitsch]

I picked up my dream ride five years ago but had I not then kiss the cards goodbye.

I'm semi-retired, on Medicare and Social Security and looking forwad to those long drives as well.

[TheBig6]

Sounds like in your mind your already there.
Good Luck, were only keepers of the cards

[Frank A]

I am going to disagree. Being up there in age I find that the novelty of cars wears off way faster than it did when I was young. Yes I had all the Vettes, muscle cars, antique cars, but now when I think I should buy another I find that I have much more fun with sports stuff. It comes and goes but it always has a good return. Cars, unless thay are really something special, they go down the drain. You have to make up your own mind, but me, I'm past it.

[jmk59]

My card collection is about the only thing that I like to have just for the sake of possessing it. That and some sentimental family objects. Otherwise, I don't care about things as much as I care about experiences.

When I look back on my life so far, I almost never remember what couch I had or how nice the stereo sounded. All I ever remember is what I was doing and who I was with.

So ... although the car is technically a possession, it really is more about the experience you would have driving that car around the area or US. Cards are also mixed with experience too, in that there are certain travels in the collecting process. Maybe that's why I really am tuned into owning them, unlike other possessions.

But all I ever really remember is what I was doing and who I was with. Go for the car.

J

[Doug]

I bought a Hemi Dodge Charger and I love it. Cards are nice to look at, but they aren't as much fun to drive!

[jbbama]

Deep Purple huh? It had to be Highway Star

Sounds like you got the 'vette fever .........i say go for it! You can always sell the 'vette and start collecting again. The beauty of it is that you have that choice to make.

Good Luck

[tinkereversandme]

I'm new here, but I honestly think that there comes a time in every person's life that you have to part with your stuff. Famous collections are on the auction block quarterly it seems. When you get to a certain age, you may look at your collection and wonder what will become of it and if there isn't anyone there to appreciate it down the line, you have to make that step to satisfying yourself for the now and what allows you current joy. If a new car makes you happy, go for it and cruise the Country. As a collector (mostly autographs), I dread that time in my life and I may shoot for the experience and think back fondly on my collecting days.

Larry

[T206Collector]

"I have no one to leave my collection to."

If you've got no one to leave them to, then you ought to get the most enjoyment out of them as possible -- and turning them into a super sweet super fast ride is as good as a way as any I can think of. Besides, you can always buy more cards when you get back from your ballyhooooooot!

Also, I have sold most of my collection before and it was a lot of fun. Enjoy that aspect of it, too.