aebiv...I don't think anyone will hate you for your views, I know I don't. I must admit that I'm a little unclear on what your message is though.
Is it that MVs...or any other manmade object for that matter should not be assigned a higher value?
If so...I agree to a point and I agree with putting "added value" in people.
My point...and my belief is just that these MVs REPRESENT those people who used them to gain and maintain our way of life.
I don't know your history and won't ask...except to ask why you bought an MV as opposed to a vehicle that was not made by the lowest bidder and probably more powerful and comfortable? What do you use it for?
Thank you for your post and your tact Sir.
No, I think too many people place too much value on man made objects, INSTEAD of placing it on the people that they should honor. I've no problems with people wanting to keep any MV in perfect condition, just as Uncle Sam wanted to "honor" the troops that it served, but they shouldn't expect anyone else to do so. That is where I've seen those who buy old cop cars, firetrucks and etc go overboard quite often in defense of what they "represent."
Which is what I worry about when people start bringing up how changing things devalues the "worth" of whatever item they are talking about. I'm talking more about the "purists" value, more than the value you'd get selling it at an auction or on ebay. I've seen too much of the cult mentality when it comes to ex-LEO cars to not know the same thing is possible with the MVs.
I understand how some see all MV's of representing our troops, but it isn't a troops transportation now. It is your own, and in my opinion should reflect you, not whatever, or whomever else. If "you" keeps it all as Uncle Sam wanted, then that is you, but I don't think that view should be used as a blanket for all those who buy MVs. Everyone buys them for different reasons.
Why did I buy my CUCV M1009? Because having owned a 1978 Blazer, and having loved what it could do off road, I decided I wanted another one. I'm also a diesel lover, so keeping an eye open for an M1009 was a logical choice. It already has the loops for chain on the bumpers, it has the TH400, limited slip in the rear, etc... It was what I was looking for, didn't matter that it was military.
To clarify, as I think I've rambled and looped my conversation a few times now, I'm all for keeping these tasteful and not PR billboards. However, everyone has their own reason for owning these, I do not think they should be frowned on for voicing what they believe in on something they own. Now, if it is crude, rude, or disrespectful, we can disagree with them on that. However, taking any more issue with them than that I think is over the top.
Thank you for your post as well papabear, I hope everyone knows I'm not attacking any view that I've read in this discussion. I think there have been a lot of views put forward with great tact, but I felt that I needed to post a "warning" of sorts at where I believe the lines should be.
I really do enjoy this forum, I've found it to have a far more mature base of members than most forums. Which is why I took the risk of jumping into a political thread