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Collectibility of Classic Autos

N

nrowles

Member
How collectible do you think classic cars will be in the future? My wife wants us to buy a classic car (late 60's Mustang) as an "investment". I feel like classic cars like that will not be as valuable down the road because it seems today's young generation for the most part does not have an interest in them. I'm 34 and when I was in my mid teens my dream car was a 60's Mustang. I bet most teens nowadays don't even know what a 60's Mustang is.

I know that is a broad generalization but just my uneducated opinion on it. Demand will go down as the years go on.
 
You will get different opinions on this but I tend to agree with you. The collectability of vehicles tends to align with the generation that grew up with them. I'm a 50/60's guy and that is what I like, those from the mid 50's to early 70's. While the others are nice from the earlier years or later years I spend little time looking at them at car shows. We've had a 66 Barracuda since new and none of our kids or grandkids care much about it. I wonder if the future generations will care much about the 50/60's vehicles and I personally doubt it. Yes there will be some exceptions but not the norm. Also, there are a ton of Mustangs out there and I like them but I doubt their value will hold or increase over the next 20 + years. I would not buy a classic car as an investment. My 2c.
 
My take is that as people (mostly men) who wanted certain cars as youths get older, those cars (whatever they are) will see prices that are stagnant or falling. Look at what Model T Fords were bringing, say, 40 years ago. They're still expensive, but they haven't appreciated nearly as much as they were doing back in the second half of the 1900s. Even '55-6-7 Chevies, while still stunningly expensive, have't gone up as much in recent years as they were doing in the 1970s or '80s. I may be wrong -- I hope so, because I have several '55-6-7-8's, a handful of late '30s Chevies and multiple Chevelles and Novas. But I've been around long enough to know that collectors' tastes change (in vehicles, tractors and guns, at least), so that what's hot today may not be nearly so hot tomorrow. Picking future hot collectibles is a guessing game and a gamble.
 
I think the classic car market is softening, also.

My wife suggested recently we buy a Corvette as an investment. But, from what I see, we couldn't afford to buy a highly collectible Vette, and prices seem to be down on run of the mill, everyday ones. It used to be you couldn't buy any year 'Vette in any configuration for less than $10K, now you see them advertised for somewhat less than that.
 
If you are buying a car or truck for investment buy one that is still stock without any custom goodies. I have a custom 72 Chevrolet c10 pickup. The roof is chopped and it has custom cut in taillights. it was built to my vision and maybe not appreciated by others. I knew going in the custom goodies would adversely affect the value. I do notice that the early corvettes sold on Barrett-Jackson bring big bucks when they are modified.
 
The real issue is not a category of car (like a mid 60s Mustang) but a specific numbers matching desirable car. 65 Mustang convertible, 289 Hypo, 4 speed, with the
handling package. Or a 427 Torino, or a Torino Talladega. Super Bee Dodge. Other near misses can maintain value but not grow at or faster than inflation. Tricked out
non stock cars are fun, but have smaller resale value. Jim
 
The wife and I recently bought a "collectible" not as an investment but because we wanted it before it was too late. We had one like it when we first
got married, 45 years ago and in need of serious restoration, but couldn't afford to keep it then. We always talked about getting another. Now we saw
too many of our friends sick, dead or dying and we realized we could be next. If it is an investment or not we'll never know because we'll be dead by
then. We just wanted to enjoy the last few years.
a165903.jpg
 
I agree with what you're doing and buy an investment you can enjoy or use.If you'd of spent the same $$$$ on a new car in 10 years it'd be worth close to zero and this car will certainly hold some value plus its a whole lot neater ride.
 
Buying a car as an investment is in my opinion a losing deal. Unless you are buying a really high end car and have the proper facilities to keep it in its current condition or better, I would forget the investment idea.
Too many things can happen. As anybody knows, public highways are a dangerous place. Will insurance pay to restore a bent fender to its pre-collision state on your 40 year old car? Likely not. Will insurance be costly? Most likely.

Keep in mind that the cars of the last 20 years or so will be near impossible to restore or maintain. Things like obsolete electronics failing, glued on plastic moldings aging and falling off, and other irreplaceable parts needing replacement will make those cars worthless as collectibles. They will simply be unrestorable.

If you want to invest in something that will more likely appreciate in value, I would suggest looking into collectible coins. They are always steadily on the rise in value. A car can be destroyed in a matter of seconds.
 
Not to pop you bubble .... But....

If you ask a REAL finicial advisor that knows anything they will tell you that vehicles are NEVER an investment. Yes you may make some money if you buy exteremly cheap but remember that "investment" costs you insurance, gas, wear and tear, matainence, t property taxes, vehicle registration, etc and on and on..... Really difficult to actually turn net results from "investing" in a vehicle.

Real estate can be a better choice or better yet max out your contributions to a tax deferred 401k, or IRA.

Sorry to be a kill joy.... That said however, if you feel finicially secure, and can afford it... Just go ahead and get it, they are fun and you work hard and deserve a toy once in a while.
 
It depends upon how one describes "collectible."

Prices of collectible cars are volatile and trends change with generations.

Don't consider such as investments.

Dean
 
You should just invest in old tractors - at least you know before you start you can't get all your money back and then there is no reason to be surprised later. LOL
 
Actually,collector car insurance is very reasonable,and it's usually agreed value,not stated value(acv),huge difference.If something serious happens,you get the amount agreed upon,no issues.I have a 70 Chevelle SS454,all original,agreed value at 65k,insurance is 450. a year,unlimited mileage,but I rarely drive it.
I do agree if you're buying for just an investment,that can go south,unless you really know what you're doing.But if you can afford it,and want to have fun,go for it!
 
There will always be people that will collect classic cars like the Mustang. As long as you are up to the repairs and maintenance of an old car I would do it.
 
It sounds more like your wife wants a cool car. There are worse things...

As below, it is not an "investment". It will, however, hold it's value better than a new one!
 
Buy it and enjoy it. While you probably won't get more than you paid for it when it
is time to sell it, the enjoyment you should get is worth more than dollars and
cents. Ben
 
Well If you both want a cool old car to have and play with then all is good. IF either of you think it will be an investment then you will be fooled down the road. You will be lucky to even get your money back let alone any increase.

Things that people collect tend to be about forty to fifty years old. There is a simple reason for this, economics. Most people are too busy and poor to buy those type of things until they are 50-60 years old. Then they tend to collect the things they either used in their youth or things they dreamed of in their youth. So the "hot collector item" changes with time.

So I will bet that there are Smart Phones and video games that will become quite collectable in the future. There will be some rare stuff that becomes worth more but usually it is the common everyday stuff that generated the most increase in value.

An example is Depression glass. It was given away with so many dollars of groceries in the depression. So it was cheap and used every day. So little of it survived. So it was quite collectable 25 years ago. I am not sure of its value today. The kids that grew up using it are now just about all gone.

So if you can afford it and think you both will get enjoyment out of it then buy one. IF your in hock up to your butt and things are tight just keep dreaming until things are better. I never "borrow" for a "toy".
 
Buy something you like, have fun and maybe you'll get lucky. I never gave much thought to having a Corvette until I spotted a black one that I thought I needed. Had it about 12 years, had a lot of fun, nobody got hurt, took it on a lot of vacations and sold it for two grand more than I gave for it. Picture of a pict. in badlands on a nasty day.
a165929.jpg
 
WE have an '84 Corvette, been in the Family since new. It is worth the least of any model, for various reasons. But we enjoy it.
It has enough performance to get me in trouble. Fun to drive. Go to youtube, enter 1984 corvette. There is an original commercial,
the car is gold color, just like ours.
 
Bought a 67 coupe 6cyl mustang in 02/for 3500 nice paint
new motor OK interior. Today a 8k-10k car sold it 18
months after I bought it for 4800 so yes it Could
appreciate but lots of risk on a vehicle.
 
I used to think old computers and other electronics could be collectable someday, but now, I really doubt it. Computers (and most likely phones) seem to really have a "here today gone tomorrow" mantra to them, and it seems only the new ones are cool. You even have to pay to get rid of the old ones here.

Certainly kids today have the knowledge to soup up an old PC, but it doesn't seem to have thrill that generations ago had with a Model T and a dropped in V8 :).
 
I'm going to repeat what the others have said. If you
both want really want one and will enjoy it together
as long as you have it and the money spent and not
so much invested won't cause a disruption to your
day to day than go for it. Life is short sometimes
very short,if you and your wife use it as a regular
excuse to spend relaxing quality time together that's
the best kind of investment. I'm not really at all
knowledgeable on collector car prices but at 43 I do
not know of anyone in this area my age or younger
that are buying antique cars from any era. If they
have extra money they seem to be buying new
vehicles possibly a boat or camper something along
those lines.
 
I am betting today's youth won't be as nostalgic as previous generations. If you look very far down the road I think survival will be front and center. Just the view from my crystal ball.
 
Not sure about the investment aspect. I built this car and had fun with it for several years. I made a couple bucks in the end. I built it because
I wanted a 1971 Chevelle not because I planned to make any money. I would say if you want the mustang and can afford it go for it and have fun.
a165941.jpg
 
My Grandmother collected "carnival glass" for years. Both as a child and as a young woman. The collection today is extremely valuable and my cousin now owns it.
 
What you say about demand is probably true but probably a decade or two down the road. Still a ton of baby boomers around and healthy yet. If you buy the right one in right color etc it won't cast you a thing to drive/own it for 5 - 10 yrs. Probably no profit but no cost either. Here's my prize. Bought in 1980 for $ 1500 needing restore but drivable. Alabama no rust car. Did all work myself ( auto body/paint profession) Used it /enjoyed it / raced it and finally sold it in 2006 for a mere $ 27000.00 Had total of $ 8000 in it inc orig cost.Same car at Barrett Jackson right now would still just bring $ 27000.00 ( not numbers matching and year newer engine ('67) They have leveled off but can still break even and drive it for free .
a165946.jpg
 
I really didn't think there would be any investment to it as far as making a profit but was more concerned with a dead market in the future if we wanted to sell it. Potentially college money for our now 5 yr old daughter or what have you.

Also we would be looking for a driver not a show piece. It may seem like there are a lot of Mustangs but it is very rare for me to see one and I only know of a few people personally that have a classic car. We would definitely get some enjoyment from it but also know what I could get into with such an old vehicle.

My wife had a 76 Stingray when I got with her when I was 20. Her dad bought it for one of his wives and when they divorced he gave it to my wife. 20 at the time. She sold it when we bought our first home. I thought she was being a smartass when she told me there was a corvette in her garage.
 
i cant add much to what has been said ,,. and i can not disagree that you will never get the money invested
back out ,but there are exceptions , Why not have a dream Car ,,. Why be stuk in these stupid egg shaped
appliances that aint worth the time to wash ,and dont even give you that nice car feel as you give it such
care..... .. My dream car i have drove over 300,000miles ,, been to texas ,kansas,ark , ok ,mo,and nearly every
state east of.the mississippi river except for the n/east 4 or 5 states , i have ownwed a triple black
Marquis convertible since 1974 ,.kept it up good until about 10 yrs ago ,.. brakeproblems andlife problems and
county goverment being a Commissioner just took too much time ,,.,,resurrected it again last yr ,.. 3
shops,nearly 3 grand , ,. and i have a good car to drive and enjoy again ,..it is far from perfect ,,. yet it
TURNS Heads Everywhere it goes,, The BATMOBILE is what my grankids call it... i have it insured with farm
bureua as ahistoric car for 5000,.and it should easily be worth that ,, in my mind i would not sell it for 10
times that , or trade it for 3 nice dream cars i always wanted to have,. namely ,a convertible 66 t-bird,69mark
3 ,a 69 cougar or montego MX convertible ,,btw . That is what i was lookin for when Dad found the Marquis for
Me , He said ," its a Mercury ,, And these big cars are selling cheap now since gas is up to 50 c ents a gallon"
. i realized the Marquis was a classic , and chekt the build numbwers of less than 2000built in the 3 yrs they
offered MARQUIS convertibles .. Yes ,so Many Memories and priceless firsts occured with the Marquis ,.Fastest
i ever drove was 120 plus , and she moved and floated like a dream, btw, I rode with My Dad in his 57 DESOTO
Firflite when he pegged the speeddometor and BrOKE It ... that is one car i would love to have too , they cost
money to keep up , and if you do not drive them everyday ,,. it is just like dribblin a basketball, once ya stop
bouncin it ,they just roll to the corner and sit .IF YOU OWN
A
C
L
ASSI

C
and WANT TO KEEP IT NICE . i always patk away from other cars at the walmart, and walk , i avoid heavy traffic
agressive driver areas ,, Do not lend it OUT EVER ! , if you do prepare to accept the consequences ...
 
Unfortunalty I have some carnival glass and glad it valuable because if I had my way I would not give it house room!!!!
 
Locally known as the greasy stud: 70 Plymouth superbird he bought for $300 back when. You can figure the value today!!! 57 chevy fuel injected he hauled off because it had to go. 67 ford fair lane 427 original. because he could 4 cylinder Indian motorcycle 442 very low miles. friend wanted rid of it. Early VW 21 window micro bus because no one wanted it then and it was kind of kool. Early Packard eleaborate roadster because fellow died and property was being sold. These are a few of his wranglings and I would say he is doing ok on cars
 
You could put all your eggs in one basket on a pristine restored classic and hope for the best or you could spread the risk around and purchase several potential future classics.
When they are hot and the demand is high it is easier to sell and turn a profit on a good looking and running original.
Smaller market and harder sell for the high dollar restored gems.

A few of my choices would be from the 80's as they will be the ones that the people with the money will be able to identify with in the next 10-20 years.


-Buick Grand National
-Monte Carlo SS
-Hurst Olds
-IROC Camaro

Yes my preference is GM products but you can choose what brand turns your crank and go from there.
 
I don't think you will make money on that "investment", but it may not depreciate as fast as a newer vehicle either. My guess is the collector car market for muscle cars is already past its peak because the baby boomers that are most interested in those cars are past their peak earnings age and moving getting into their retirement years. As aging collectors liquidate their inventories it will be a buyer's market.

Find a car you can drive and enjoy "as-is". A rule of thumb for run-of-the-mill restorations is you will be lucky to get back the value of the parts you add and nothing for your labor.

Insurance cost will depend on how you use the car. A daily driver will cost about the same to insure as any other car, but making repairs after an accident could be difficult because insurance companies will want to total any fifty year old car at a low value and part it out rather than repair it. Collector car rates are very low, you insure the car at an appraised (fixed) value, but your use is restricted to travel to travel to and from car shows and to and from repairs. Either way, you carry most of the risk and cost of an accident if you drive it much, check with your insurer before you buy. Keep in mind that older cars are not nearly as safe as newer cars, they are not great daily drivers.
 
I think it depends on how long you can keep the car 'pristine'...
I think cars are a good investment. As long as we do not have to
'officially' file a capital gains form................
Back around '75 I put a couple grand in a 28 Ford, couple years
later I doubled my investment.
In 1965 I bought a new Pont. GTO. little less then 3 grand. just
check the value on one of those those today. (30,000 plus).. Of course
I wish I had put it in the barn ! !
 
Thanks. When I first got it the power steering didn't work but all the parts were there. I put teeth on the front bucket and converted the backhoe controls to 2 lever (JD style). The 3 cyl diesel was worked on before and was fine as was the Power Reverser.
 
That is one SWEET GTO. Love the ride height . Beautiful !!!!!Can't stand the low profile tires and Foose style rims and lower them to drag on the ground. Guess I'm Old School.
 
If you are stuck on getting a Mustang don't buy a run of the mill car, get a stock Mustang that came with big motor and equipped with a lot of extras as those are the ones that bring good money. Think Shelby!
 
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