You know, from time to time, I let Cagey's total lack of reality pass, but this bears calling BS on.
The cheapest I ever saw Squier '51s at was 99 bucks on a GC special. Aside from that nearly irrelevant piece of insight, how about this: http://www.fender.com/products/pawnshop/pawn-shop-fender-51 Apparently Fender, and lots of us with taste, thought the idea was a good one. It's one of the most commonly mod'd guitars; there are large message boards associated with it... much larger than these forums.
I've thought that these were a great idea for aftermarket replacements, but half the fun of them is that they're cheap and unique. I've repainted a couple bodies, and still have five of my own: 4 with Warmoth necks, 1 with a '73 Tele neck refretted with 6150 wire. They've all got different types of pickups (P90 + Prails, Duncan stacked hb and Prails, Ducan QP and stock HB, GFS Crunchy pat and brass bottomed single, and BB2 + fender noiseless), all with coil splitting options, and they're cool looking as all hell for those of us who love hardtails and 2 pickups.
Also, Cagey to stop being so negative about nearly every idea that's posted or item that's being sold, please.
edit: Cagey hopefully knows that this is friendly ribbing. <3
-Mark