The Muscle Car Market

[Lyfisin]

While I was on vacation, I was talking to a good friend about the high costs of some classic muscle cars. I have always liked the 'cuda and obviously over the last few years, the cost of these cars have skyrocketed. He believes that eventually the cost of these cars will come down, and here's why.

He feels that the people who are buying them are the people who either had them or wanted them when they were younger. The surge of demand and the lack of supply has obviously had an impact. As these people eventually grow older, the cars will eventually be sold off or gifted and the younger generations who will be getting them wouldn't have the same feelings about that particular style of cars. Their interests will likely revolve around what they thought was cool while they were growing up. Assuming all that is true, these cars would start coming back into the market with less buyers and the costs would start coming down.
I'm interested in this because I have been casually poking around the internet for one of these cars even before the prices started really going up. The concept Challenger has a lot of appeal to me and I've seen data that strongly suggests it is going to be built, but I still like the originaly ones a lot.

Based on all of this, would this be a really bad time to buy a classic?

If you see the market unfolding in a different way, I'd obviously like to hear your thoughts as well.

[Sixpipes]

Any classic Mopar is at an all-time high because of the "Hemi" hysteria. If you watched Barrett-Jackson, it's obvious that some of those folks have more money than sense and it has nothing to do with value, but rather the fact that they have the money to buy the cars regardless of "market value". So it drives everything up, but particularly Mopar classics with the old hemi-style motor. Also depends if you want a drive or a show car, but anything with a big-block is really stupid price right now. Even the cars that came originally with a small motor are going for big bucks with a period big block in them. :cool:

[gbgary]

what dennis said is true. even hemi-clones are bringing high prices. watch any of the rebuild shows on tv and you'll see it. smallish auctions, auto-trader, and ebay, all reflect the demand. a convertable hemi cuda brought over half a million at b-j.

[Tex Arcana]

Yeah, what they said, +2. Alot of what you said holds water as well, especially as shops do a "wrecks to riches" and start grabbing beaters and turning them into muscle cars, like Ultimate Performance, who's buying up every wreck of a classic Mustang out there, and turning them into "Eleanors", which is sad when they get hold of decent examples and chop them up. UP, iirc, started this trend.

If you're into the old Challengers, and afraid that they're going to be priced out of your range, start looking for a beater that's not too rusted out, and get it now. Store it, then start planning out a "restomod", by following those shows. THen pull the trigger, and learn alot of what you're wanting to learn on that car. When you're done, you've got something that's cool, clean, and you learned some invaluable lessons you can't learn anywhere else. :tu:

[PUMP]

I have been watching the market for Buick Grand Nationals. Mid to late 80s go for reasonable prices. I have seen some hot ones for around 5k. Thinking seriously of picking one up just for drag strip use.

[Mark #2]

I have been watching the market for Buick Grand Nationals. Mid to late 80s go for reasonable prices. I have seen some hot ones for around 5k. Thinking seriously of picking one up just for drag strip use.

Those cars are fast or can be.

I seriously looked at putting that engine in my 911 back in 80s, but the P club wouldn't allow me to race with them if I did, so I rebuilt the 911 motor to the max and won two championships in 1987.:evil

Buy one IMHO.:tu:

[dboat]

Those cars are fast or can be.

I seriously looked at putting that engine in my 911 back in 80s, but the P club wouldn't allow me to race with them if I did, so I rebuilt the 911 motor to the max and won two championships in 1987.:evil

Buy one IMHO.:tu:

Mark, not a bad idea, except in my case, the wife wants a 911... but I have always heard that there is no such thing as a low maintenance Porsche..
Dana

[Mark #2]

Mark, not a bad idea, except in my case, the wife wants a 911... but I have always heard that there is no such thing as a low maintenance Porsche..
Dana
You are correct, do not purchase one more than 5 years old, unless you can turn wrenches.

[andy_cain]

do not purchase one more than 5 years old, unless you can turn wrenches.

TRUE THAT!

Nice cars, PITA maintence and repair:hammer:

[dboat]

TRUE THAT!

Nice cars, PITA maintence and repair:hammer:


Well, I was wondering in Wayne was going to chime in on this one.. I think he told me once.. dont ever ever ever own a Porsche that isnt on a warranty..

Dana

[Beaudee]

Lately i have seen several of the new dodge chargers,i believe its the R/S model?Are there 2 models?one being sporty and one fast?

[WA 2 FST]

I bought a NOM '69 Vette convertible a few years back. Fun car. Turned it into a resto-mod and sold it a couple of years later for what I had into it. Probably could have gotten a bit more. Something like that doesn't quite have the appeal of a vintage muscle-car, but its close.

Anyway, based on what Brook said (which I agree with) about the current muscle-car craze/value, now is not the best time to buy. Instead look at the trend your friend mentioned... and consider a more late-model musclecar ... like the Buick GN.

That's a perfect example of a car that someone my age couldn't afford (unless my parents would have bought me one, like this one kid I knew) in '86-87, but "someday I'll get one"... will be the battlecry of my generation. Those cars can be had reasonably now, but will be worth more and more in years to come. It's too bad the rest of the '80s didn't offer anything worth $%^*, except the '88+ 5.0 Mustang.

If you just want the classic musclecar look, then do a restomod. I'd love to do an LS2 EFI, 6-speed 67-69 Camaro. You wouldn't have to worry about numbers matching, or which exact model it was (RS, SS, Z28...who cares if its a restomod?), or which options it has/had. Same thing is true I'm sure with the Mopars.

[99WhiteBeast]

I have been watching the market for Buick Grand Nationals. Mid to late 80s go for reasonable prices. I have seen some hot ones for around 5k. Thinking seriously of picking one up just for drag strip use.

I thought the GN's were only produced for a few years like 85-87:confused:

I know they made t-type 'regal' buick for several other years that had the same turbo and motor and was more of a sleeper:tu:

When I was looking at the GN's about two years ago they were wanting some ridiculous money 14-18k for clean unmolested cars.

[Tex Arcana]

I bought a NOM '69 Vette convertible a few years back. Fun car. Turned it into a resto-mod and sold it a couple of years later for what I had into it. Probably could have gotten a bit more. Something like that doesn't quite have the appeal of a vintage muscle-car, but its close.

Anyway, based on what Brook said (which I agree with) about the current muscle-car craze/value, now is not the best time to buy. Instead look at the trend your friend mentioned... and consider a more late-model musclecar ... like the Buick GN.

That's a perfect example of a car that someone my age couldn't afford (unless my parents would have bought me one, like this one kid I knew) in '86-87, but "someday I'll get one"... will be the battlecry of my generation. Those cars can be had reasonably now, but will be worth more and more in years to come. It's too bad the rest of the '80s didn't offer anything worth $%^*, except the '88+ 5.0 Mustang.

If you just want the classic musclecar look, then do a restomod. I'd love to do an LS2 EFI, 6-speed 67-69 Camaro. You wouldn't have to worry about numbers matching, or which exact model it was (RS, SS, Z28...who cares if its a restomod?), or which options it has/had. Same thing is true I'm sure with the Mopars.

And Fords, don't forget them. ;)

Thing with GN's, right now I'm seeing kids driving them, and I'm waiting to see them wrapped around telephone poles. Syclones/Typhoons are in the same boat: getting real rare, real quick, thanks to some "enforced extinction". :(

Restomod is the way to go, if you have to have an older bodystyle. Modernized suspensions, engines, interiors, ac.

[dboat]

And Fords, don't forget them. ;)

Thing with GN's, right now I'm seeing kids driving them, and I'm waiting to see them wrapped around telephone poles. Syclones/Typhoons are in the same boat: getting real rare, real quick, thanks to some "enforced extinction". :(

Restomod is the way to go, if you have to have an older bodystyle. Modernized suspensions, engines, interiors, ac.


+1

[QDRHRSE]

That's a perfect example of a car that someone my age couldn't afford (unless my parents would have bought me one, like this one kid I knew) in '86-87, but "someday I'll get one"... will be the battlecry of my generation. Those cars can be had reasonably now, but will be worth more and more in years to come. It's too bad the rest of the '80s didn't offer anything worth $%^*, except the '88+ 5.0 Mustang.



This is what I tell my wife everytime I buy something! I have this mental list of everything that I always wanted and I buy as I go. I always wanted a GEN1 L when I was younger but by the time I could afford it the GEN2 was out....how could you choose a GEN1 over a GEN2? You guys are onto to something though. A GN would be a cool ride.

[dboat]

I am a Ford fan, but somehow a complete resto Mopar ride like a Challenger but done with todays technology would be the best.. did you see the Rides show where they did Joe Rogans car.. what was it SickFish or something like that.. even he was saying that it was way better than his Porsche..

Dana

[Tex Arcana]

I am a Ford fan, but somehow a complete resto Mopar ride like a Challenger but done with todays technology would be the best.. did you see the Rides show where they did Joe Rogans car.. what was it SickFish or something like that.. even he was saying that it was way better than his Porsche..

Dana

I've see a few shows that're doing this, on Speed especially, and the look good and drive even better. You can do the same thing with Mustangs, Fairlanes, Tbirds, Galaxies, pretty much any Ford product you can name--hey, go get an old Maverick, and drop a Cobra motor in there, and upgrage the suspension, that'll catch ALOT of people off guard!! :D

[dboat]

hey, go get an old Maverick, and drop a Cobra motor in there, and upgrage the suspension, that'll catch ALOT of people off guard!! :D

I get that one.. goes like hell, looks like hell too:evil :evil :rll:

Mavericks are FUGLY... at least get something that has some looks to it..

Dana

[Tex Arcana]

I get that one.. goes like hell, looks like hell too:evil :evil :rll:

Mavericks are FUGLY... at least get something that has some looks to it..

Dana

I want to get an old Pinto and do that to it...:d

[skalywags]

guess I should have kept my '70 Comet GT. i could have sold it to one of y'all for a lot more than I got for it.

[Moonshine]

+1 on the GN's. I always liked those. I'd also toss the '94-'96 Impala SS into the same class, and those are running $7-9K these days.

[StormShadow]

[quote=Moonshine I'd also toss the '94-'96 Impala SS into the same class, and those are running $7-9K these days.[/quote]

I was thinking the same thing about the Impala SS. I've always liked those cars.

[Lyfisin]

Mavericks are FUGLY... at least get something that has some looks to it.. Dana

I don't know. I always thought they looked ok. My sister had a long time ago and it was a fun little car.

Here's a picture of one I noticed in our parking lot today.

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Maverick.jpg

[Mark #2]

I don't know. I always thought they looked ok. My sister had a long time ago and it was a fun little car.

Here's a picture of one I noticed in our parking lot today.

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Maverick.jpg
That is probably the nicest Maverick in the country.;)

[Silver_2000]

My brother and I beat on a hand me down Maverick for years .. in the late 70s and early 80s

In 87 I had a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe was 2nd fastest car that year next to the GN... It was a great car except the Clutch ...

I cant remember what kind of mileage I got - it was turbo 4 cyl ....

[dboat]

That is probably the nicest Maverick in the country.;)


+1

and its only ok at best... I am not trying to :throw: anyone.. just my opinion.
Dana

[Lyfisin]

Me too. I can't even remember the last time I even SAW a Maverick before that one so I just thought I'd post it. :)

I found out who owned it once I got inside. It's got a cammed 302 in it. He hasn't done a dyno on it or anything.

[Mark #2]

Me too. I can't even remember the last time I even SAW a Maverick before that one so I just thought I'd post it. :)

I found out who owned it once I got inside. It's got a cammed 302 in it. He hasn't done a dyno on it or anything.


I had a brother in college, I lived in a rich boy jock Fraternity house, before any posts about all my college roommates, that had a modded up Grabber Green Boss 302.

Wrecked it one night screwing around in the rain and hit a tree it wasn't that bad just the right rear quarter panel...and then a pickup came around the corner and destroyed it, if this car has a modded 302 it could be very quick.

The Boss 302 was rated at 290 HP because insurance companies were beginning to penalize the muscle cars by tacking on higher charges to any car rated over 300 HP. Actual horsepower was closer to 350. (These are Gross HP figures, not Net, as used today). Race versions made 450 HP at over 8,000 RPMs.

[Tex Arcana]

I saw one back in October:
http://i5.tinypic.com/14mdht1.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/14mdj74.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/14mdkqg.jpg

Pretty sad. 7 feet of water in that area, the stilt trailer rocked on its piers.

Mavericks were decent cars. With the 302, those things could haul.

Brook, that one you posted is a beaut. :tu:

[dboat]

I saw one back in October:
http://i5.tinypic.com/14mdht1.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/14mdj74.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/14mdkqg.jpg

Pretty sad. 7 feet of water in that area, the stilt trailer rocked on its piers.

Mavericks were decent cars. With the 302, those things could haul.

Brook, that one you posted is a beaut. :tu:

nice underdash AC unit.. still dont think they are great or near great but belong somewhere near a grate...

They arent as bad as a Pacer or Pacer Wagon... but... you get the gist.. they are in line with a Mustang II though:evil
Dana

Oh, send this one to Overhaulin' , maybe they can do something with it..

[Tex Arcana]

nice underdash AC unit.. still dont think they are great or near great but belong somewhere near a grate...

They arent as bad as a Pacer or Pacer Wagon... but... you get the gist.. they are in line with a Mustang II though:evil
Dana

Oh, send this one to Overhaulin' , maybe they can do something with it..

Here's the kicker: MustangII's got seriously slammed by everyone, but to be honest they had a decent frame and a good front suspension--most hotrodders use some form of this these days. They have decent geometry, and can be made to work well. And the Pinto's and Mavericks shared the same IFS. With a good motor, and a good lowering job, they can hang with some good cars. So be nice. :nono:

[dboat]

So be nice. :nono:

not gonna happen with those cars..
Dana

[Tex Arcana]

not gonna happen with those cars..
Dana

'til you get owned by one...:d

Yanno.. *just* because of the h8 for them, I might just buy one and turn it into a <insert car name here> killer. :rll: