I think that the asking prices for parts on eBay are a little frightening, and that my CS would be worth more if I sold it for parts than as a driving project.
I drive my coupe any dry day, spring, summer, fall, and when the salt has been washed off the roads in winter. A while back I would throw four track tires in plastic bags in the back seat and head out to driver's schools as far away from Bucks Count PA as Watkins Glen or VA. Sure, I have been caught in the rain. Once on the track. Now those were fun laps. (My Polaris Coupe
looks stock but obviously it is not)
But what concerns me most is the rising values that are putting our cars out of reach of someone like me 25 years ago. The younger enthusiast like me at that age who believed a coupe was the most beautiful car on the planet most likely can't afford to buy or buy and restore one unless they have all the skills necessary to do it themselves. And even then, parts will still make it difficult.
In 1971 I bought my first and only New BMW, a 1600 for $3,000. I was two years into a long teaching career at Bucks County Community College, my wife was a school counselor. Could someone in my position now buy a new entry level BMW? Nope!! They will be in a Corolla or a Subaru. I bought my first coupe, a lovely Sahara 71 2800CS from a doctor's widow who refused to wear seat belts. It was 1984, we had two children, but she wanted to sell her car to someone who appreciated it. We used the same mechanic and he vouched for me. Price: $4,000.
And right now as I read this board, an entry level coupe that needs a ton of work is $25,000 +. And it's not a daily driver that will reliably take me to work every day.
I am rambling a bit, so I hope you get the gist of my point.
Thanks for reading this far,
Steve