Quote:
Originally Posted by dmhenderson
Eh...looks like I'm going to keep it. How do I delete or lock this thread?
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Good choice not selling.
When these knobs were discontinued from Tommy Kaira and these being the last of their shift knobs, they are one of the rarest collectors pieces. Tommy Kaira is more than likely never coming back making these knobs price go through the roof. Hence the reasoning behind the text on the knob.
When Rowen re-made these knobs with permission from Tommy Kaira, they re-made them, YES, but there are differences in the shift knobs from Tommy Kaira and Rowen AKA. Rowen's turtle is completely smooth over the head of the knob where as the original Tommy Kaira's are showing an embossed feature of the turtle making the head not level. I do believe the "Tommy Kaira" signature in the turtle is skewed slightly too.
Point is there are differences between the two knobs, making the original worth even more.
When I bought my Tommy Kaira about this time last year, I paid about $400 due to the person whom had these knobs had the last 3 brand new original Tommy Kaira shift knobs and Rowen AKA's not even being though about for production yet.
Even used, a year later, with the release of those Rowen knobs, mine is now worth more than I paid for it to a collector who knows the true value. I don't believe that there is a brand new Tommy Kaira original knob that is known. DE had the last couple Brand new ones known of and I believe he has even sold them since.
Another good real life example is Powerhouse Amuse vrs. Replica Amuse. Powerhouse Amuse authentic kits are close to $5500-$6000 shipped for the kit. No paint, no labor, no installation. You can get a rep Amuse kit, looks the same as the Powerhouse Amuse authentic kit, but costs half the price due to different materials and being made differently.
Of course in the Amuse kit example you are also looking at fitment and quality. I haven't personally been able to compare the quality, material and fitment of the TK and Rowen Shift knobs, but if different than it would add to my already made list of differentiations.
I remember the Rowen knobs going for about $250 or $275. Original asking prices should be at least close to double. The only reason I would ask $350 for mine is if I had dropped it making drop indents and marks or there is severe knob scratching.
Heck I also recently decided to buy the Amuse R1 Titan shift knob and put that on just to have less usage on my TK knob to hold value. I'll put the TK knob on for shows or meets possibly, but it will be a bubble wrap baby more often now.