Where do you think our cars are at in the hobby/collectable realm?

[unluckyty]

Seems to me that as of lately, the more desireable cars(GLHS's,GLH's ,Shelby Z's, and most numbered cars at least to me) are starting to dry up so to speak.

With not many as readily appearing for sale. Also the ones that are, are asking a higher price, as well as only lesser desirable cars on the market also, with higher asking prices.

Have that many been parted/junked, or are people starting to keep them?

Thoughts?

Greg

[Turbo224]

It seems to me that the wrecking yards, at least around here, are getting very few Shelby Dodge cars anymore. The wreckers seem to be full of cloud cars every time I go. I think the days of picking up a cheap S car in great shape are long gone. A lot of the later Shelby cars are still for sale for pretty cheap like CSX's, or Lancers. I think the cars have bottomed out in value and should only start heading up.

If you look at the history of the car hobby, the value of a collectible car seems to increase as the age of the collectors increase. I would be willing to bet that at least 70% of the people in this hobby were in their teens or early 20's when these cars were being built. These are the cars we grew up always wanting, so as we get older and become more financially secure we naturally go after the cars they grew up lusting after.

Go to any muscle car show and most the owners are in their 50's or 60's, go to any hot rod show and the owners are going to be in the 60's and 70's. This is just the way I see things.

[raccoon]

skyrocketing! buy everything you can.

people may also want to relive their dodge experiences. buddy at work cant stop talking about his 1985 daytona turbo he bought new. very much regrets selling it in the mid 90s to a kid who treed it.

[vntned]

I agree. Prices are steadily rising on these cars. It wasnt 10 yrs ago and you could drive home a decent GLHT or SC for $1000 or less. Now it seems the prices hve more than doubled! Im all for it as I now own a decent CSXT and would like it to be worth more than the $1500 it wouldve went for 10 yrs ago!

[spoolinhard]

I dont see a whole lot of interest. They are being parted and the ones up for sale arent selling easily if at all. I wouldnt classify them as collector cars. You put any sort of change in your car, you arent going to get it back. Very disposable, just like any other 80's car. Judging by the cars being parted not even the rarest of models are exempt from the crusher no matter how rust free they are. In the collector car relm, I would call them close to tailend charlie!

[turbovanman²]

This type of thread seems to come up every 6 months and nothings changed, to 95% of the world, they are shitt, 80's FWD cars, and the fact Shelby dabbled in them means nothing.

If you can afford it, buy one, if not, it will either be bought by someone who appreciates it, parted out or crushed.

If you build a car, do it because you want to, not because you want to make a buck, which will almost always end in tears. You'll never get back what you put into it, so enjoy,

[RoadWarrior222]

It makes me worry and wonder, how you can't find a nice Lada Niva for less than a nice TD

[BadAssPerformance]

All car values are low right now... million dollar cudas are sub million now...

[Evilancer]

If you build a car, do it because you want to, not because you want to make a buck, which will almost always end in tears. You'll never get back what you put into it, so enjoy,

I can totally agree with that. When I made the decision to restore my car I knew I would be keeping it forever because there is no way I would get anywhere near what I've put into it. I'd be lucky to even get $5000 for it.

There cars that seem to go up in value or hold the most value seem to be the low mileage all origianal '86 GLHS cars.

[ohlarikd]

I have a general question - can anyone list some Front Wheel Drive cars that are high on the price list? Not just TMs, any make / model. And when I say high, I don't mean the previous comment that the $1000 car is now worth $2000, therefore doubling in price. I mean actually high priced, like over $20K.

I feel like FWD is the killer so far on pricing. Buick Grand Nationals were turbo cars from the 80s, and obviously they are expensive - RWD. A 4-cylinder turbo Mustang SVO is worth some good money - RWD.

Trying to understand the major factor here...

Derek

[tommyturbo]

Give it time. Something I have noticed with all the car shows I have been to lately is that the bulk of the car guys I see are older (50's+) who grew up with muscle cars, or big american cars from the golden age of american cars. I'm 32 and grew up with these cars, my mom bought a 87 GLHS when i was 9. I can relate to them, they were new and futuristic and the cars I lusted over as a young kid/teen. I can't relate to the muscle cars to save my life, and as much as I think some of the vintage american cars are cool, I can't see myself driving one or spending the major $ to get one. If cycles repeat themselves (as they typically do) as more guys my age start to get nestalgic, more may buy the cars, prices may go up. The muscle cars were once 20 year old cheap clunkers too. I think the fwd cars have a harder time being noticed, I see the same thing when I take my SHO's to ford shows. Mustangs from the 80's are popular, and going up in value. The taurus's just seem to be overlooked.

BUt then I bought my cars for fun, cause I love and always wanted them new, not to flip.

[RoadWarrior222]

I have a general question - can anyone list some Front Wheel Drive cars that are high on the price list? Not just TMs, any make / model. And when I say high, I don't mean the previous comment that the $1000 car is now worth $2000, therefore doubling in price. I mean actually high priced, like over $20K.

Citroen Traction Avant... Citroen DS... NICE Citroen DSes of historic value are getting significant fractions of millions in Europe.

[ray08]

I bought my 89 CSX because I plan to keep it till I die. I am slowing restoring it to new OEM (or close) condition. My sons love it as well, so it will be around for at least one more generation.

Personally, I expect them to go up in value with time for reasons already stated above. And this 89 CSX is very rare now, maybe a little over 100 remain? But the money is not what's important here.

[turbovanman²]

I have a general question - can anyone list some Front Wheel Drive cars that are high on the price list? Not just TMs, any make / model. And when I say high, I don't mean the previous comment that the $1000 car is now worth $2000, therefore doubling in price. I mean actually high priced, like over $20K.

I feel like FWD is the killer so far on pricing. Buick Grand Nationals were turbo cars from the 80s, and obviously they are expensive - RWD. A 4-cylinder turbo Mustang SVO is worth some good money - RWD.

Trying to understand the major factor here...

Derek

GN's didn't really start out expensive but due to the fact they were full frames, RWD and turbo'd, plus they stopped making them and the G-Body is desirable anyhow, there value went up.

SVO's get ok money, I don't think your going to get rich selling one.

Most cars that are expensive are out of production, durr, and desirable. Our car were, no offense, POS's made to get Chrysler out of the brink or out of bankruptcy. Most see our cars as piles of crap, underpowered, leaking, ill handling, ugly, interiors blah, fit and finish blah, head gasket issues, oil burners, the list is endless. Sure some are worth a few bucks but for the most part, nah.

[kensz]

I think some of our cars are starting to get a little more respect in the collector market but in general they are throw away cars. Lets face facts if you want to restore a 80's Mustang
you can buy just about anything online on or through a catalog. With our cars you pretty much have to find a decent donor car which as you probably already know in becoming harder and harder. How many of you are looking for decent window channel rubber, I know my nephew is. Even if someone in the aftermarket stepped up and reproduced the rubber they may sell a couple of hundred pieces, hardly enough to make any money. FWD is a major factor in the lack of interest from the aftermarket. Even in the Mopar hobby our cars are the ugly step children. Who in our own ranks has cut, chopped or otherwise destroyed a turbo Dodge along the way. It just happens over the course of time with all vehicles.

Now for what I believe is some good news. I bought my 86 Daytona Turbo Z new with the intention of storing it and driving it just to shows, cruises and on nice days. 25 years later I have a very nice original Turbo Dodge that just qualified for Historical plates here in Ohio. I take it to four or five shows a season and over the past three years or so I have noticed a lot more people stopping to look and talk about both my Daytona and my brothers Shelby Charger. All most everyone of them owned one back in the day or knew someone who did. The best part is there are never any other cars like ours at the shows. We might not own the highest dollar car on the show field but, they are usually the only ones there. Two summers ago I went to a local show and there were three Ferrari's and two Lambos on the field but, only one original turbo Dodge. That might not sound like a great trade off to most but, it makes me smile. If you have a nice TD keep that way, if you are trying to turn one into a nice one, then more power to you. If you do it because you like these cars, Great. If you are doing it because you want to make a boat load of money, I am afraid you may have bought the wrong car. The best these cars can offer is the fact they are rare and becoming more so every passing day.

[ShelbyTC16v]

If you think turbo Dodges are "throw away cars", have seen the new Hyundai's or Kia's etc? Our cars are built.

[ohlarikd]

If you think turbo Dodges are "throw away cars", have seen the new Hyundai's or Kia's etc? Our cars are built.

The new Kias / Hyundais are winning awards left and right, are high up on the quality surveys, and surpassing the Japanese in many comparos in the car mags. I am pretty sure my Shelby Charger, which sounds like a bucket of Legos going down the road, is not as well built. But I'd rather drive the Shelby!

Derek

[kensz]

I do not think our cars are throw away cars. However to most people today and back in the day they were nothing more than appliances. How many do you still see on the street? When you do see one it's pretty much ragged out. I am sure there are a lot of so called enthusiast out there who think we are nuts for ever liking these cars much less collecting them or showing them. I figure it's their loss.

[sy2206]

I've talked with a few people about this lately. Here's one thing that many people don't think about... When new performance cars come out, the target market for them is people like 18-30 years old. All the numbered Shelby cars, along with the SC's and GLH's are now 22-26 years old. So that group of guys who were 18-30 years old, who REALLY wanted to buy one of these back in the day but couldn't afford it (because they were in school, or were getting married, or whatever) are now looking to buy. These guys are now in their 40's or 50's, and their kids are all grown up, just got out of college, and now dad has an empty garage, less financial obligation, and a little more spare time. So why not look for that old toy he never got his hands on 25 years ago. I know this is happening because I know of at least 3 guys over 40 who have bought very nice Shelby/Dodge cars in the last year or two, for exactly that reason. They always wanted one, but just couldn't make it happen before(or had one for a short time many years ago and had to sell). Now they're at the point in life where they have a good job, house, etc, and they can afford to pick up a toy. On top of that, these guys are not interested in a rusty old POS. They're looking for a premium car, and are willing to spend the money, so eventually they will find one. To compound this even more, I think some people are starting to realize this exact situation. These cars are getting to the age where very nice ones are hard to find, and the people who do own them are not as willing to let them go. Supply is going down, and demand is going up...

[unluckyty]

A little off base but kinda the same.
Mark, a less than 8k mile original, unmolested mint Syclone at the recent Barrett Jackson, California sold for $14,000.

Greg