Author Topic: Is this 1959 OS Engine worth $5.5k? (Read 6317 times)

George Hostler · « **on:** December 21, 2014, 09:03:43 PM »

This is not a classified, I was surprised to see someone would want to put this engine up on E-Bay for $5,500.00 US. It is an OS Max Dr15 racing engine. Are collectors that serious?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251764296697

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2014, 09:45:01 PM »

Rare or not, he's not gonna get 5K for it.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2014, 09:50:19 PM »

To convert from diesel to glow, all you need is the proper head, and maybe not bother with a different crank. I would think one could "fake" and engine like that if you were knowledgeable enough about vintage OS engines. I wonder if there is anyone out there that could verify the story? I would be interested in knowing if the story is true. I don't think Morton M-5s went for five grand at the top of the market for those. We'll just have to watch it and see!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Bill Morell · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2014, 09:56:33 PM »

This particular seller has been on eBay many years and always has rare engines for sale. If he says it is rare you can be sure he's right. I have never known him to fake anything.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2014, 10:00:59 PM »

If he gets his selling price, it was "worth it", to someone.

tim lackey · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2014, 10:10:16 PM »

26.00 dollars for shipping!! That's way to rich for my blood.
Tim

Bill Morell · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2014, 10:45:38 PM »

Quote from: tim lackey on December 21, 2014, 10:10:16 PM

26.00 dollars for shipping!! That's way to rich for my blood.
Tim

Read the entire description! Shipping is from Japan.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2014, 12:12:45 AM »

Quote from: Bill Morell on December 21, 2014, 09:56:33 PM

This particular seller has been on eBay many years and always has rare engines for sale. If he says it is rare you can be sure he's right. I have never known him to fake anything.

I don't doubt the validity of it. Just don't think he'll get five grand for it. I'll do a major facepalm if he does.

Jeff Traxler · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2014, 06:59:40 AM »

Ebay does'nt screw you at the beginning of a listing anymore.They used to charge a listing fee based on the minimum bid.There is now a glut of OVERPRICED items that may never sell listed for months on end.You can't get a deal anymore except from NOOOOBS that don't play the Ebay game well yet.

RC Storick · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2014, 07:27:01 AM »

I think it was a listing typo. 55.00 he put the decimal in the wrong spot. But who knows cause its not even worth $55.00 to me plus the $26.00 SHIPPING WAY OVER PRICED.

rich gorrill · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2014, 08:17:51 AM »

He's also selling a 1941 o.s. sparkie for almost 7k. Seems like he's a middleman for the guy in Japan

George · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2014, 08:53:15 AM »

The diesel associated with the box and instructions was, I believe, the only diesel made by OS. If I remember correctly the engine had a contra piston keyed to match the baffle on the piston. I think it was short-lived because of the cost of producing it. Bear in mind this is from what I've read. I never owned nor ran one. (Am I confusing the OS with the ENYA .15 diesel of the same vintage?)

The first OS MAX I owned was a MAX-I .15 in ~1957. Though I traded that one I still have a MAX-II .15 and several MAX-II .15's. Since I am not into racing, I never heard of the engine shown.

I agree with some of the others, someone will fork over enough money to buy it. WAY outta my price range!

George

Motorman · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2014, 09:05:32 AM »

Wow, excellent engine for my Perky!

MM

George Hostler · « **Reply #13 on:** December 22, 2014, 10:43:20 AM »

Quote from: Robert Storick on December 22, 2014, 07:27:01 AM

I think it was a listing typo. 55.00 he put the decimal in the wrong spot. But who knows cause its not even worth $55.00 to me plus the $26.00 SHIPPING WAY OVER PRICED.

Since it ships from Japan, shipping seems in line. After reviewing the various inputs here and on the Cox Engines forum, I gather the seller is targeting a rare engine collector, someone with a 6 digit annual salary. For me, it is out of my price league.

Since I'm a sport flier, the OS 15FP, TT Magnum 15GP, Fox 15X and Enya 15-III are hot enough for me, LOL.

George Hostler · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2014, 04:14:10 PM »

Quote from: George on December 22, 2014, 08:53:15 AM

The diesel associated with the box and instructions was, I believe, the only diesel made by OS. If I remember correctly the engine had a contra piston keyed to match the baffle on the piston. I think it was short-lived because of the cost of producing it. Bear in mind this is from what I've read. I never owned nor ran one. (Am I confusing the OS with the ENYA .15 diesel of the same vintage?)

George, I think there's no confusing it with the Enya .15 diesel. Someone on the Cox Engine Forums posted an OS link to their history page. It shows the 1958 Diesel .15.

Quote

The first OS MAX I owned was a MAX-I .15 in ~1957. Though I traded that one I still have a MAX-II .15 and several MAX-II .15's. Since I am not into racing, I never heard of the engine shown.

It is indeed a rare engine, but not of such value to me that I would pursue it. I've got the OS Max .15R/C and 2 OS Max .10R/C's of 1965. The .15 is NOS, haven't run it yet. The OS's are nice little engines.

Quote

I agree with some of the others, someone will fork over enough money to buy it. WAY outta my price range! George

Mine too. There are some who will spend that much quid, like those who buy turbine jet engines, who then fly it until oops! Crash and burn and $5.5k down the drain.

Gerald Arana · « **Reply #15 on:** December 22, 2014, 08:18:40 PM »

My Chevy truck engine cost $3300 a few years ago. Damned if I'd ever buy a model airplane engine for $5500!

Oh well, some people have more $$$ than brains.

Jerry

George Hostler · « **Reply #16 on:** December 23, 2014, 12:26:05 AM »

I bought a used but in very good condition (looked new) low mileage 2001 Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager touring motorcycle for $4,800 a year and a half ago. Since I've gotten more mileage out of it than I would ever get out of that $5,500 engine.

Andrew Tinsley · « **Reply #17 on:** December 23, 2014, 02:36:39 PM »

Collectors give mega bucks for for rarity and new condition of engine, box and literature. This engine satisfies those conditions in diamonds! It is an exceedingly rare engine, I doubt that there is another existing in such great condition!
If I were rich I would consider buying it, BUT I would run the damn thing!

Andrew.

Jim Carter · « **Reply #18 on:** December 23, 2014, 04:14:57 PM »

Quote from: Gerald Arana on December 22, 2014, 08:18:40 PM

My Chevy truck engine cost $3300 a few years ago. Damned if I'd ever buy a model airplane engine for $5500!

Oh well, some people have more $$$ than brains.

Jerry

Wish I had that problem .... unfortunately I ain't got enough of neither!!

George Hostler · « **Reply #19 on:** December 23, 2014, 04:51:05 PM »

(deleted)

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #20 on:** December 23, 2014, 07:33:21 PM »

I have bought engines from this seller in the past and I was happy with what I purchased,He is a very nice fellow and must have a terrific collection of engines.
Juan

Bill Morell · « **Reply #21 on:** December 23, 2014, 09:45:17 PM »

Quote from: Juan Valentin on December 23, 2014, 07:33:21 PM

I have bought engines from this seller in the past and I was happy with what I purchased,He is a very nice fellow and must have a terrific collection of engines.
Juan

Exactly right!

Dennis Leonhardi · « **Reply #22 on:** December 23, 2014, 10:17:58 PM »

I've sold this gentleman several engines over the years, and our correspondence became more personal than the basics of an eBay transaction. He definitely impressed me as both very knowledgeable and very friendly. You'll hear nothing but good from me regarding this seller ...

Dennis

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #23 on:** December 23, 2014, 10:39:08 PM »

Look at it this way!

While this may seem like a ridculous price to the unknowing. A collector who might be trying to complete a collection of all the OS engines of a particular era would figure that if this is about the only chance to obtain such a pristine example of this engine (and it very likely is) He would think this price is very reasonable because it would increase the total price of his collection by much more than that!

Collector reasoning may seem a little strange at times but there are some engine collections valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars! Being complete for a certain era greatly increases the total value!

Yes this is not a game for us poor folks...sorta like owing racing horses, or sailing yaughts. If you have to ask how much it costs, You can't afford it!!!

Randy Cuberly

George Hostler · « **Reply #24 on:** December 23, 2014, 10:45:00 PM »

Then I gather that the gentleman selling this unusual and expensive engine is reputable and a people person. I've been fortunate to find a few when purchasing used engines on E-Bay. SB1Photo (Steve), whom I bought AC Gilbert engines and parts comes to mind.

Thus I gather this engine is a rarity for that one special person, perhaps someone connected to its heritage. It is not something desirable to most except through the eye of the beholder.

But then, aren't all the engines we have and gravitate toward are through our eyes as the beholder? Some will swear to the excellence of say the McCoy Red Heads whereas another will disdain them as rubbish and problematic. Another loves Fox, but some will shun them for an OS LA of 2/3rds the displacement.

Speaking of the eye of beholder, I just bought 3 Hayes long motor mounts for my Gilberts off E-Bay. I'm sure there are some that feel my purchase was in vain, but c'est la vie.

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #25 on:** December 24, 2014, 11:01:51 AM »

  Hello George
   Like Dennis Leonhardi Says It was a pleasure dealing with Rudy and Chinatsu. Collecting engines is an addiction,I have over 200 engines and I know I won`t be able to use them all but having them makes me happy. The last engine I bought is a PA.40UL with a pipe and header that I bought used and with shipping it cost me close to $400.00.I `m satisfied with the deal, PA are a quality made engine that is going to provide me with enjoyment for a long time.
   Juan

Paul Smith · « **Reply #26 on:** December 24, 2014, 12:07:50 PM »

One of 26 made. I guess if you were obsessed with having a COMPLETE engine collection this might be for you.

Those black fin OS engines were a good buy for $10 to $13 dollars. They didn't hot start at all, but they had a lot of power, unless you got greedy. Then they would blow off the whole top end. Attempts to use them for speed and racing were failures.

Juan Valentin · « **Reply #27 on:** December 24, 2014, 03:11:25 PM »

Well I`m not obsessed with collecting anymore I already have the ones I wanted. I bought my first K&B .35 Stallion in 1968 via mail from Americas Hobby Center then a Supertigre.35 in a hobbyshop in St.Petersburg,Florida In 1969 While I was Stationed at Macdill AFB working on F4D`s. I have bought a lot and traded over the years to get to the amount of engines I have. I like working on them also is part of the fun.
Juan

Peter Grabenstein · « **Reply #28 on:** December 24, 2014, 03:59:36 PM »

Well....we all come naked and gonna leave this planet naked.
There's no room for collections and credit Cards
in our new destination, for sure.
Once upon a time, I owned an engine collection ,
worth couple thousends of Dollars.
Sold it step by step, because not knowing who is gonna take care of it.
Lost many bucks this way.
Thinking myself ,...who is gonna buy this collection.
Probably..... NOBODY....because electric Motors.
But now,
FEELING MUCH MORE BETTER NOW,
because no hassle for me and the ones
(Family which has no intrest in such)
behind me.
Finally, I realize...buying such in big numbers and prices is not the perfect solution.
My mental prob. was somewhere else. Now..... I only have engines I use/fly like
Brodak 40(1),OS LA 46(3),S.T.60V(1),Enya 30(1),S.T.35(1) and so on.
Remember: You can fly only one engine at the same time ,except 2,3 or 4 Engines planes,
I don't have and fly.
This took 4 decades but now...... I KNOW MUCH BETTER.

Peter

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #29 on:** December 24, 2014, 05:53:33 PM »

Well, don't forget that there people that collect $250,000+ cars and have a big warehouse full of the same!

Makes collecting model airplane engines seem paltry right? It's a different ball game at the top!

Randy Cuberly

PS: Anybody ever see Jay Leno's motorcycle collection. Worth many millions!

George Hostler · « **Reply #30 on:** December 25, 2014, 04:26:29 PM »

Quote from: Randy Cuberly on December 24, 2014, 05:53:33 PM

Well, don't forget that there people that collect $250,000+ cars and have a big warehouse full of the same! Makes collecting model airplane engines seem paltry right? It's a different ball game at the top! Randy Cuberly PS: Anybody ever see Jay Leno's motorcycle collection. Worth many millions!

Well, the positive in this is I'll never criticize the price of a racing .15 like the Rossi's and Cox Conquest among a few others for a few hundred bucks. Those are a bargain in comparison.

George · « **Reply #31 on:** December 25, 2014, 06:49:47 PM »

Quote from: George Hostler on December 25, 2014, 04:26:29 PM

Well, the positive in this is I'll never criticize the price of a racing .15 like the Rossi's and Cox Conquest among a few others for a few hundred bucks. Those are a bargain in comparison.

I would venture an opinion that the more you pay for these collectables the less likely you are to fly them or even run them.

George

George Hostler · « **Reply #32 on:** December 25, 2014, 07:53:39 PM »

Quote from: George on December 25, 2014, 06:49:47 PM

I would venture an opinion that the more you pay for these collectables the less likely you are to fly them or even run them. George

You have a point there, George. It's just like with musical instruments. I have a $315 E-Bay buy baritone saxophone, a well battered high school instrument from the 1960's, a Le Blanc Beaugnier Vito. It looks rough, I repaired it, regulated it, now it plays well in tune, sounds good (dark sound of the 1940's), I take it everywhere I go.

If it were a $10,000 Yanasigawa, I'd be afraid to take it anywhere.

I really have no valuable collector engines and just as well. It removes the fear of crash damage or loss.