What's the deal with Slabside pricing and availability?

[66gtk]

Trying to get my head around the slabside cars that are available in the USA. It looks to me like CSX, SPF, ERA and Kirkham are the only players? It's my understanding that the CSX 8000 cars are essentially the same as the SPF MKII. I find the pricing structure a bit interesting.

Back in 2012, the MSRP of the limited production 50th anniversary CSX 8000 was less than $70K for a fiberglass roller.
http://www.shelbyautos.com/images/pdf/50cobra.pdf

The market is asking for $160-180K now for these very same cars - now with SBF power and transmission. How did that happen in such a short time?

The SPF rollers are now about $76K if you want all the goodies most would want. The original roller prices started at $61K a few years ago. I guess a standard stripped roller option still exists for around $64K. Completed used examples seem to be looking for buyers in the $95-99K range. Just a few years ago, barely used examples were quite a bit less ($75-85K). Why the sharp rise in asking prices?

Kirkhams are obviously aluminum, and are well built expensive cars. Hard to find completed examples on the used market - $150K and up...

Despite what their website may suggest, The ERA rollers with similar upgraded equipment to the SPF and CSX are $55-60K? Turn key cars about $75-85K? Used examples are difficult to find, so are they not building many of these? I've only seen 2 on the market in the past year and 1 seller got cold feet and wouldn't sell his afterall. The other was seeking $70K with a basic powertrain.

I share with you these observations as I'm confused at the lack of options for an affordable slab side in the USA. Is there simply no demand here, and the very limited demand must suck it up and pay? Also, why the steep increases in cost (particularly the CSX cars) in recent times?