Not quite:
The classic economic model assumes two things that do not apply here. First, is that one is dealing with a normal good. Two, is perfect elasticity of demand.
- An A-body tubular front end is not a normal good. If it were possible to produce an unlimited supply of a first rate product at, for example, $250 each, not everyone can use one. Therefore, a lot will go unsold regardless of the price.
- If the price were to go to $50,000 per copy there are people who can and will pay the price, particularly if it involves the difference between winning, losing, or proving a point. This is not perfectly elastic demand in the classic sense.
Someone else mentioned litigation. When I worked for a Fortune 500 manufacturer, every part we sold had a litigation expense included in the price of the part (along with material, labor, and packaging). There are different strategies for dealing with this expense (from the "ostrich" approach to the "chicken little" approach). Ultimately this is a subjective assignment of risk to the part that might result from litigation due to its failure at some point. It's a SWAG at best as the rules of lawsuits, and the potential awards, for damages vary from state to state. How the seller chooses to address the potential for loss is reflected in the asking price of his/her/its product.
The entire hobby is not about rationality, it's about passion for preserving history in restoring and operating nearly 40 year-old machines. Those of us involved with A-body Chrysler products are fortunate to still be able to draw on the resources of the manufacturer and the people who designed and built the products. If you want to see real passion, look at those who are restoring vehicles that have neither of our advantages.