Zl1 #4 $380,000

[EZ Nova]

Guys I'm not saying the sky if falling or NO younger kids are into the old stuff.

I do think just like people have stated, things come and go and trends go up and down. YES there will always be someone who wants them and will pay some good $$$ for and our lifetime. It is true that a lot of the younger guys are not that into the older muscle cars.

I have a friend who loves cars and speed. He is 33. Born here but family is from India. He has a very fast '09 Z06 'Vette. N/A it's a high 9 second car on a street tire and looks all stock. BUT for his fast car, he bought a Nissan GTR. It's a 9.30 car. ALL his friend and car guys BUT for me, are import guys. They seem to "not mind" my old stuff, but not one of them want to go for a ride let alone owning one. This guy is one of my builders that I work for and has $$$ to spend. I have said on a few occasions, "invest in an old muscle car. Spend $200 to $250,000.00 on a really nice old car that will be worth $$$ when you want to sell it". His reply is, "why, they handle terrible are not fast. My future wife's SUV is faster then most or all of them. And 99.99% of the people I know like the newer stuff". It's hard to argue when he bought her a 505Hp, 0-60 in 3.6 sec. SUV that she will drive in winter and can go anywhere in comfort. But tough to see these younger guys, that spend some $$$, all on these imports, but that's what they want.

I know I am not really looking at buying a new car again. I am looking at repairs of my current stuff instead of new. BUT using the $$$ saved on NOT buying new for some older stuff. Like not getting a new truck. My 2010 was my brother's who passed. Full jam 2010 Ram 1500. So instead of spending another 50K for a 2019, I will spend 30K on a '70-72 Chevy Short box, or 25K or so on a '78/79 Lil Red Express. And keep the Dodge for work and winter.

Like I have said, I'm 52 at this time. Just had my first child, a son, in Feb. All my car buddies over the years, and there are a lot of them that have kids, not 1 of there kids of have a old muscle car. Parents have Hemi RR, LS6 Chevelle's, W30 or GTO's lots of parents with old muscle cars. PLENTY of FOX body mustangs and Irocs. But nothing for the '70's let alone the '60's. I'm looking at a '78 Z28 for my guy now so he can have it for high school.

I have one guy about 6 years ago. Race a Tunnelrammed L88 Anglia back in the early '80's. His son turned 16 about 6 years ago. OFF to the racecar shop they go. Dad rolls out the Anglia with 2X4's out of the hood and slicks. Kid looks in and says, "NOT much room for a stereo". Dad puts the car away and says "you probably will never OWN or see this car".

That's today's youths...........

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

My 2 boys have been working on their muscle cars since they could hold tools, and while they both appreciate the old muscle - they really gravitate towards the new stuff. When I was their age, the old muscle was still the fastest stuff around - that's not the case anymore when you can buy 800HP off the showroom floor that has T/Control, ABS, AC and gets decent mileage..... I'm doing my best though!

[EZ Nova]

Marlin agreed. My son will be a motorhead and hopefully go to the older stuff. Gotta start them young and explain WHY the older stuff is just COOL.

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Marlin,
You are doing a great job bringing your kids up working on older cars. There is nothing like learning how to work and drive these old cars. I'm sure Ben can't wait to get that BB Nova on the road. Learning to drive stick will be fun for him also. Lot's of people today don't even know how to drive stick....

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

To be honest, he's about 50/50 most of the time between his TR'd Nova and his LS1 Trans Am. The T/A is a great first car, LS1, Ram Air, WS6, leather, 10 speaker stereo, T-tops and he ran a 13.09 without even changing the air box! It's really hard for today's youth to appreciate the old stuff when they can buy an LS1 car with 60k miles, not a ding or a dent for $10k!

[Steve Shauger]

I don't think you can judge a market on this car or just few examples. Also I agree the young generation is used to cars that can stop, turn and go fast for under 10k, so that segment is hooked on later models like we were back in the day. Yes our muscle cars were ahead of their time, like todays cars ...LOL


Our cars are collectibles, and a niche market, and like all market segments it has it's ups and downs. As has been pointed out, we all age, so have the muscle cars we grew up. Blue chip cars are like waterfront property they are not making anymore. The segments below really rare cars will have fluctuations, and corrections based on demand such as waning interest.


Rare also includes unrestored time capsules which although may have been produced in hi volume, but very few have been preserved.


Restored cars done to a high concours level are rare as well, and garner a premium based on who restored, quality of components and techniques used.


The bottom line is we all relate to these cars in different ways, and if you have a passion and love them markets fluctuations mean little. If you are heavily invested and look at these as investments and a business well there is risk like any investment.


Personally I like and own all types of cars from concours to survivor and all have their place. My most enjoyment is thrashing on my driver orange 69 RS/Z that started it all.

[novadude]

Originally Posted by YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY

The T/A is a great first car, LS1, Ram Air, WS6, leather, 10 speaker stereo, T-tops and he ran a 13.09 without even changing the air box! It's really hard for today's youth to appreciate the old stuff when they can buy an LS1 car with 60k miles, not a ding or a dent for $10k!

Putting a bit of perspective on that, There was no way I could have afforded a new $20k IROC back when I graduated high school in 1989. Instead, I wanted a 15-25 yr old muscle car that I could afford.

Back in 1989, a 1969 model was a 20 year old car. In 2018, a 1998 LS1 Z28 or T/A is a 20 yr old car. Seems about right that kids would be buying these cars.

[70 copo]

Speaking of an 89 IROC, I am going to pick up another car tomorrow, Flame Red L-98 car.

344 original miles.

[Mr Yenko]

On the price of the ZL-1 bidding to $380.000. What I have observed over the years is any good car doesn't need to be SOLD through a auction house. They trade between the big collectors so no one knows there business. Auction cars are what I have felt to be the leftovers if that makes any sense. Just my opinion

[luzl78]

Originally Posted by YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY

My 2 boys have been working on their muscle cars since they could hold tools, and while they both appreciate the old muscle - they really gravitate towards the new stuff. When I was their age, the old muscle was still the fastest stuff around - that's not the case anymore when you can buy 800HP off the showroom floor that has T/Control, ABS, AC and gets decent mileage..... I'm doing my best though!

Two handsome boys. My son is 20 and could care less about learning to even change oil in his car. Can’t figure out kids these days. He can change a tire.