Professor Elam

Monday Feb 15 2010

The 1920s like the 1990s was an era of economic expansion, and appeal to luxury interests. Then as now that took the form of expensive automobiles. Back then before the National DOT one could buy a chassis and engine from Duesenberg and have a custom coach builder construct a one of a kind body for the car.  By the way that car marque was the origin of the phrase which is still around, 

She's a Duesey!  that of course meant a great looking object. 

At any rate here we go again, luxury items abound as the economy sinks. John Travolta is hawking Breitling watches, which are also featured as the clock in Bentleys. Above is the $200,000 Aston Martin Rapide, and  not  a typo that is 200 big ones for a car that could be t boned at the next intersection by a 1978 F 150. The interesting thing is that, considering the total market for such luxury, it is already a crowded field. Maserati, Porsche, Bentley, and high end BMW and Mercedes offer the same sort of four door sports car luxury. Ironically Maserati and Porsche added four door models to expand their limited two seat offerings. 

I expect that all these models will not make it through the next decade….

Yes that is a person at the fore corner of the inner jib on this $200 M race boat, again not a typo. The mast is 200 feet tall. Those are Kevlar sails and the entire boat is carbon fiber, read expensive. 

The 1920s gave us the magnificent J class yachts 

These were 100 + foot wooden racing yachts which served no purpose whatsoever other than to go racing. Well, fast forward to today and we have the latest America's Cup race. There are but two boats in the race and yes they each cost $200 M. Interestingly a watch company, hublot, is a sponsor here too. More photos of the ultimate boy toy at America's Cup. 

I would guess that the boats have simply priced this race out of existence. There will have to be some new rules for a less expensive boat, or maybe I am wrong about Greece and California and New Jersey imploding….