Marc,
I can't help you with the financing end of your transaction, but I've had  
similar problems explaining to insurance company's the "real" value of a Rhodes  
22, recycled or not. Because most R22 transactions are done privately and not 
 reported to the "blue book" people, they have little or no information in 
which  to base the value. It took numerous phone calls and a multitude of 
digital  pictures to convince my last insurer of the real value of my boat.
Good luck with a loan officer. Perhaps you should have him join the list  and 
we can help him decide whether or not you are worthy of a loan. :)
 
Rummy