Le Mans Hard Top--Scarcity and Value

[Cal Metal]

This is one of those times when a component on a car takes on a serious dimension--more so than the value of the car. In this case, we are talking about what is believed to be the only surviving aluminum Le Mans Hardtop used by the SAI team in 1963. These cars were significant as they set the stage for further development at SAI. Curious, as they are peculiar, the '63 Le Mans Cobras are a signifcant part of the Cobra legend and the tops made them very distinctive.

Pictured below is maybe the only remaning aluminum top in existence from that era. There is rumor that one of the other two does exist but I have not seen proof of that.

This one belongs to Ernie Nagamatsu of Old Yeller fame. His Cobra is NOT a Le Mans car but one that was originally owned by Max Balchowsky. Ernie purchased this top from Benson Ford a number of years ago. The car and the rare top have been featured in AutoWeek "Escape Roads" section.

What say you? What kind of value is a top like this bring in a world of where uniqueness counts for everything. It is, afterall, one of a kind. Some of the '53 Corvettes had bubble tops that were not OEM and they bring $20K. No race history there and they made about fifteen, I think. Seems like this one should do a little better.