I learned to sew on Mom's FW and we both used it a lot until I was 15 and Mom traded it in on a new Singer. She wanted me to buy it for the amount she was getting for the trade-in, but I didn't do it because I wanted to use her new machine. I regret that so much.
About 20 years ago, I found a FW in a store in Wooster, OH for $25. I was thrilled to get it. It was in the case with the buttonholer and all the feet. I think it's a 1949, which may be the same as Mom's. (I'll have to look it up again.) I just love it.
If I remember correctly, a few years ago most of the FW's on ebay were selling for $600 to $800. They've dropped in price considerably since then.
I'd love to find another FW and have it painted red or green or pink. I think they're so cute painted like that, but I don't want to ruin the value of mine.
I've also got a Singer 500a Rocketeer, which I also love. Let's see, we also have a Singer 15-91, which was supposed to be in excellent running condition when we bought it on ebay, but it wasn't. I'd really like to get it completely operational. My DH and DS bought a Singer 99K at a sale. It needs some work. I should take it and the 15-91 to Billy. My DH could watch him repair them and then he'd know what to do himself. He pretty much knows now, but hasn't had time to play with them recently. We only paid $25 each for the 15-91 and the 99K and didn't even have to pay shipping for the 15-91 as the seller lived about 20 miles from us, so we picked it up. I'm glad; it's a heavy old thing.
I'd also like to have a 301, although I'm not sure what I'd do with it. I never thought much about a treadle, but after seeing Billy's treadles and others that different members here have found, I'd like to get one.
Of course, I'd also like a new Bernina... :mrgreen: