Maybe not so surprised. Some owners will "in their heart" want a two or three speeder, whereas some form of "reality" will kick in around servicing, spares etc. and then go for the five speeder (and easier to sell to the wife etc.).
I can see that situation affecting a few buyers, but I'd not have thought it as big an issue as it apparently it is.
While few bits at Halfords fit a two or three speeder, it is surprising just how good Mogspares is. True you need to have rather more bits in the garage than a modern needs, but having owned a 4/4 in Scotland, keeping some spares comes naturally now.
I've a number of steering joints, assorted gasket material (I cut my own) valve caps, nuts and bolts in all sizes that the car has in both Whitworth and UNF, and lots more besides.
