The increase in value of Hofners has amazed me more than any other price lift of a vintage instrument.
My first ever electric bass was a used Hofner that I bought in 1984 for $350 with saved up birthday and Christmas money. Even the sales guy at the store was like, "Why do you want that?" and tried to interest me in a Hondo or Tokai instead.
My impression was that it was considered an oddball, rinky-dink, B-list instrument only of curiosity value for Beatles fans. How times have changed!
Part of the mystery of it for me is that I don't see many being played in the wild, either currently or in older footage. I can't recall ever seeing one played live. On YouTube or wherever, besides Sir Paul with the Beatles and the documentary about the Hofner factory, I've maybe seen one or two people using one to play a cover, but I couldn't tell you who or when.