Mecum Auction COPOs everywhere

[hvychev]

I totally agree with the $50K car comments. Affordable muscle cars will always be in demand. The thing that I find hard to imagine is that there will be groups fighting to pay $300k-$1Mill for cars like these rare Mopars, ZL1's, etc. I also find it difficult to imagine people paying $100K for more "common" cars like 69 Z28's and LS6 Chevelles in the distant future.

The people that want love and be willing to pay for these cars will be the people that say "my dad or uncle used to have one of these" and they had some good memories in them. Think about how many guys in there 30's want a pre war classic like a Cord or Auburn. Some of those may be worth 1 million to a 65 year old guy but to someone like me I would have a hard time paying $30K for one.

[king_midas]

chevy454:

Everyone is entitled to opinions, and I think what you're talking about-- "soul" should not be substituted for drum-brake, rubber-band feel, "hold on to the reins tight" driving feel. Once again, just my opinion.

When I was a kid with a job and not much else to worry about (1985 - 1990), these same cars that are trading for large coin were around and were affordable, albeit many were not in great shape. My '80 Z (which I paid $1700 for in 1987; needed paint) was a great example-- A fun car that had every available option, but the last true old car I owned. I went to college, and sold the Z.

I hate to say it, but the bottom line is that, in reality, the cars that are trading for inflated prices were not the most sophisticated cars available then... See this link to know what I mean:

http://www.oldsmobility.com/roadtestmag_june67.htm

Welcome the entrance of the Resto-Mod craze. For originals, the brakes/suspension were less-than-adequate, weight balance way off, bad steering, uncomfortable seats, no A/C, etc, etc... But lots of fun in a straight line, and really not as fast as the rose-colored glasses say. What's the point of this, you may ask? Well, it's that new cars do all of the things old cars don't do well very well, so how do you justify paying $60K for early Chevy muscle (without even thinking about the cloning aspect)? I can't. A few years ago I wanted a '69 Z so bad that I could taste it, and one ride in an expensive rattle-trap changed my mind for me-- Made me think about how good of a car my '86 Mustang GT was (God rest its soul)...

The statement that I made is along those lines. I love the old stuff, but they are waaaay overpriced for what is there, causing major lack of interest in the non-blue hair consumer segment. And the person that can afford the price of admission and garaging forgets that these cars are sub-par to drive until he/she gets in one, and then it's all over-- They come back around for sale with only a few additional clicks on the odo because in reality, they're unpleasant to drive. And as complicated as life is these days, who has time to set lash, or troubleshoot a Holley on a regular basis? All of this is probably why most of the people that I know could care less about a 35 year old car. I don't know... I'm just calling it like I see it.

So, when are the prices going down so I can get that '69 Z?

[Jeff H]

The limited production, high performance cars will always hold their value at the top of the heap. But it still comes down to personal preference that motivates a lot of people to buy what they want. And in today's economy there are plenty of people who are capable of buying what they want regardless of the cost. As for new vs old, I like em all and I keep going back and forth. The 4th gen Camaros/Firebirds offer a ton of performance and handling/braking for an affordable cost. The older cars give you that feeling of raw power. The pro-touring cars give you the combination of old looks with modern performance. I'll take 1 of each!

[DarrenX33]

[ QUOTE ]
A few years ago I wanted a '69 Z so bad that I could taste it, and one ride in an expensive rattle-trap changed my mind for me

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm. Come take a ride in mine. I'll give you a $10 bill everytime you hear a rattle out of my car.

[ QUOTE ]
And as complicated as life is these days, who has time to set lash, or troubleshoot a Holley on a regular basis? All of this is probably why most of the people that I know could care less about a 35 year old car. I don't know... I'm just calling it like I see it.


[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like your better off then. I think any real car guy doesn't mind this and most would say it is therapy for them. I know it is for me.

[king_midas]

Darren,

I'll take you up on your offer, but...

1. It must have chambered exhaust and 4:10's.
2. I get to drive.

* Edit: I don't mind setting lash, but I'm in the miniscule minority.

[king_midas]

... Whoops, I meant 4.10:1's...

[PPPJJJFFF]

1964 through 1971 was the era for Musclecars. All the major domestic makers were in on the game and some incredible machines were built over those 8 years. Barret-Jackson, Mecum and others show how much interest there is in these cars today. Go to Barnes and Noble and look at the magazine rack. Musclecar magazines everywhere.

The "Supercars" of that era will be popular for a long, long time. Why? Because the boomers grew up with them, they weren't built in large quantities and their cooler than cool. When I drive the Hemi-Challenger through town, traffic stops. Shake, rattle and roll and all! Nothing else compares.

Patrick

[Zedder]

I think that there is a very slight market adjustment happening right now and it has more to do with affordability and what someone is comfortable driving value-wise than anything else. I've been working on a number of potential purchases over the past few weeks and every person is selling for the same reason..."the car is just worth too much now for me to feel comfortable driving it around". I've been to a bunch of cruise nights this summer and there have been some neat cars out there, but where are all the COPO's, LS6's, and other higher dollar cars that I used to see regularly??? All tucked away in their garages I'm afraid. For me, $75K or so is my comfort zone for a muscle car that I will drive and it is getting tough to find anything really neat at that price any longer. I believe that many others feel the same way as my experience has been that the higher production number hi-po cars above $75K take a lot longer to sell these days (LS6, L78, Z-28 etc.).

[DarrenX33]

Nice one Mark.. The reason I am looking for more of a beater these days...