John,
Yopu´re not dreaming. There are a few really nice Alpines that sell fr more than $8K, but they are few and far between. I believe that most people who would buy an Alpine, are basically frugal, to put it nicely. We don´t want to spend money to buy either the car or it´s parts.
I know a few guys that will, and have, spent tons of money on their Alpines but if they want to sell it, they have to find a certain buyer that will pay the higher asking price. Case in point. The beautiful Alpine GT that vince just sold, I´m sure went for a lot more than $8K. Many on this forum would love to have gotten it, but one guy stepped up and bought it. It´s price was just too rich for the rest, no matrter how beautiful it was.
The only thing I say, is build your Alpine you want and enjoy the journey and count the money as cost of entertainment and enjoyment you had while you built it and owned it. If you buy it to make money, better off doing what Al just said. Buy it cheap tinker with it a little until you get it running well enough, then sell it.
Alpines are a love affair, or they are a waste of money as an investment.
Jose
If one were to buy this car for $2,500 and put another $15,000 into it they'd have a car worth about $8,000. Is it just me or does it seem like all Alpines, regardless of condition, sell for between $2,000 and $8,000.