That's really not that bad, over here you will pay around $600 for an edelbrock performer and $800-900 for an air gap.
Naturally as the price of new parts increases so will the price of second hand parts. You guys have enjoyed crazy cheap parts for years - even with the price increases parts are cheaper in the US than any other part of the world. Old cars ain't a cheap hobby and I for one are just gratefull they are still making parts for our cars.
Suck it up or give it up I reckon.