Tom Dalton wrote:
>
> New Corollas in GT-S trim sell for over $21K. If we
> use Corolla prices as a proxy for changes in the costs
> of goods and services in general we have a %1400
> increase in the cost of living between 1977 an 2001.
> Applying this factor, it looks like the saddle should
> run about $1500. Of course, there are all sorts of
> problems with this approach. Foremost among these
> problems is that there is simply no comparison between
> '77 and '01 Corollas.
> Another problem is that the Corolla is not even the
> same class of car as it was in 1977. What was once an
> econobox is now about the highest-performance front
> wheel drive sports compact on the market.
OKay, how about my BMW 2002, when I bought it new in 1969 it was around $3000 out the door when the Corolla was $1500 (the Corolla was considered a pretty sports oriented car for the time by the way). The 2002 evolved into the 320 and then... well you get the picture. Same components for a long time, same class of car (winner of many, many readers' polls as the best, etc.).
My point is that my titanium railed Idéale 90 saddle cost a mint in the late 70s at $110 (my custom '77 Confente frame was $425 and complete Campagnolo Masis were around $800). So no, I don't think $400 is out of line for the ti 90 saddle today.
Chuck Schmidt