Well prices may be dropping on the cars but that hasn't happen yet with the used parts for these cars, i was looking around for a few things for my 71 Challenger and was shocked just how much some people are asking. A Hemi K frame asking 2900.00 dollars .........

I agree with a lot of the above to an extent.

If feel the market for people interested in the cars most are interested on Moparts is shrinking. I also feel that the overall amount of people that are interested in this type of stuff has shrunk too. But, when I go to the track, etc., I still see interest in hot rods and cars in general, just not the same cars that most have been interested in, in the past. What I see often is the quickest, easiest and or cheapest way to go fast or just have fun. I see a lot of fox Mustangs, G body Chevys, 80's and 90's trucks, Camaro's, etc. with LS swaps, turbo's, etc. I see some quick Diesels too. There are also a fair share of newer cars.

I was at the track a number of weeks ago and spoke to a guy with a nasty diesel truck, and he mentioned that he's been contemplating moving to an LS swapped, turbo something because it's cheaper.

Most I talk to about older cars all say the same thing, I'd love to have one but, they're too expensive. I feel that a lot of people are or were once priced out of the old car market and have since moved on or, they're now a little older and wiser and choose not to spend the money on some of the older, cooler iron. They build purpose built car that are loads of fun for less money. Again, they'd love to have something else older and cooler, but have just as much fun with a lesser car.

I personally hope prices do continue to drop a little more, not too low but, enough where I can get into some different cars with the budget I have to work with.

Well,

I just bought a 1966 Satellite, hemi Auto.
The car belongs to a very good long time friend of mine. I actually helped restore the thing a little over 15 years ago

And At the price point I paid , which is WELL UNDER other / similar cars advertised for .



I know for a similar car sold out of CA. maybe a month or 2 ago and he had it advertised for upper $70s k range but no idea actual sold price



Theres this another one listed in Texas . Also advertised for a while now for was low 60s I think and so far no sale at high $50s

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Plymouth-Satellite-Hemi-426/274453845074?hash=item3fe6b95452:g:FlIAAOSw9jdejoUj

And theres this one, No idea how long its been listed as Ive not seen this one before

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Plymouth-Satellite-Hemi-426/283981740947?hash=item421ea17b93:g:LKsAAOSwcK1fM0uj

There were 2 sold at Kissimmee this Jan , Both brought upper $70s price wise. One was Tony Ds car which I thought for sure would bring over 100k for a 3000 mile car

So you don't have any examples of recent sales that you can produce...I am just wondering what you are basing your opinion on?

Dave

A wave of bankruptcies are coming. Expect a recession in the next 18 months. Job losses will create a liquidation of lower-tiered Muscle cars. Already seeing it right now.

I think the market is still good. Most of the people out of jobs are in the service industry and tend to be lower income. The Muscle Car hobby crowd is a higher income crowd to afford it. People aren't traveling and saving money staying at home, and working from home also saves money. Its pretty easy to buy a car on the internet with all the money you aren't spending right now. I haven't been able to do my usual shows/trips this spring and summer which has saved me some money. So I've just been buying signs/cars instead haha I'm lucky to work at Costco were we haven't been affected, in fact business is way up.

Ebb and flow of life . . . there will always be ups and downs . . . however, depending upon what the "climate change" doomsday crowd gets through for legislation, etc . . . they might kill the old car hobby. I started out in this "hobby" as just a way to keep my car running/going by wrenching on it (cause I could not afford to pay mechanics/shop fees) and then going to car shows. The joy of the car show has been meeting all the wonderful people out there and becoming friends, even though there is long distance between . . . . and yes, getting older (57 now) I do enjoy the creature comforts, and the newer rides - love fuel injection, computer control - turn the key and go ! . . . but still have my "old cars" - not sure I would still have them if I could not work on them and had to pay mechanics to do what I can. And as said, for me, it's a hobby . . . sometimes wrenching can be a calming, fun relaxing way to spend time. We all have different interests, and one of mine happens to be these cars that I am able to utilize and maintain.

I have noticed that the parts supply though, is dwindling . . . I mean just regular routine maintenance things like brake shoes/pads, rotors, drums, tune up parts, etc . . . or at least where I am they seem to be. Front Calipers for A, or F,M,J body - from NAPA, takes them at least a few days to "bring in" ! Same thing with pads and shoes . . . pretty much run of the mill parts ! But then again, gotta remember that it's parts for a 40 or 50 year old car !!! Not like mid 80s -90s when there were tons of these cars in the wrecking yards too.

Go out and enjoy your ride while you can !!!

Current:
I haven't noticed much change in asking prices due to Covid, there was already some "softening" through 2019, but the effect of Covid on people's economies may still take us into this winter to really show itself.
Using home sales as an indicator, the economy is doing well, and interest rates, even on used cars, are low. A friend got a 3.9% rate on his used Ferrari. I think a good number of people didn't spend and banked money by isolating and not traveling as much this spring and summer. Stock market is still doing well. Buyers might be waiting though, it would be cool to find out if muscle cars are on the market for longer before selling - to measure the demand.

Near-term:
Nobody has a crystal ball, but my guess is by spring 2021 you will see average muscle car prices dropping more noticeably. The trickle down effect of the trillion dollar stimulus packages will be wearing off, rent relief and stimulus loans will be due.
The expanded money supply will drive some inflation, meaning prices on everything will be up (propping up some muscle car prices), and those in worse economic shape will be selling non-essentials.
The only offset we all hope for is that all the jobs come back, but I wonder if job supply won't stabilize before there is a significant dip in consumer (muscle car) spending.

Long term, its the same dynamic as always -
Owners grow older and older, and eventually sell their [insert any era] classic car, so more cars are on the market, and fewer people are around that are interested in buying them.

The only question is how long it will take, probably 10-15 years until only the "halo" cars retain their value.

Cheers,
- Art

Try and buy an e body car, yeah no fire sales there. Some cars are just going to hold value.

Tons of cars online for sale for high prices, but they are not selling. If this was 2006-2007 they'd be sold by now. I know guys who were buying and reselling several cars a year and putting money in their pocket each time as the demand was there. Much harder to do that now.

Jim has a valid point. When I was young all the kids were talking about what they were going to get when they got older. Well, the kids from my HS are now in their mid 50's. Maybe 4 of us have cars. You know how many cars musclecars where in my HS parking lot? about 4. Just saying. As for the original vs restomod, think back to the day. Original was booooooring. Everyone was day 2ing their cars. Finally building the 67 Barracuda. Hint, it isn't even close to original. The Cyclone came to me with points and now has discs, different steering system, fuel injection, E-heads, roller cam etc. Even my Trans Am hasn't been original since the day I bought it and I'm planning on going with EFI with it also for a variety of reasons. The cars are going to my boys and trust me, they know what a carb is, but couldn't dream of actually tuning one.

I agree. I think this COVID economy is gonna make income disparities/inequality even worse. Think many that have money will have more money and continue to buy. The majority of my customers are my age (57) to 70's. Heck I have 80+yo customers starting NEW projects. They either have money or everything is paid off (or both) and they are spending. Hell I'm in this group (everything paid off). Dusting off my old car. Probably dump another $10-20k in it. I've even been looking for a nice 74 Challenger (just cause, last year, I had one as a kid, etc) for a few years but they are selling in the 30's. Hell I thought I'd find one for $10-15. That ain't happening.

I think we'll have plenty of cars and parts for 10-20 years. I started my gasket business 15 years ago and feels like I'm just getting rolling. Growing 20% every year. 20% better every year at Carlisle and the Nationals. People ask me all the time if I've seen a slowdown. Nope. Hell all the well known Mopar resto shops have multi year backlogs. A local guy that resto's mostly early Camaros (but owns a 66 Charger) has a warehouse with like 50 assorted make and model cars in it. First time I saw it I asked if it was a personal junkyard or something. He said no. These are customers cars. 5 years worth.

A year ago I drove to the other side of MI to buy a truck hood (to duplicate the hood insulation). The guy restored 50's Fords with the hard top that retracted into the trunk (I knew of them but never gave them a 2nd thought). So there's people that are still interested in those oddball cars even a couple vendors that supply all the parts for them. There will be customers for some of the classics right? Model A's, 55-57 Chevys, 50's and 60's Thunderbirds, 60-70's muscle cars, Grand Nationals, TRUCKS, etc

I am the old guy with the one owner 2-door Honda Civic Coupe mint low mile in resale red car at the gas pump or store. They are looking it over and saying how many miles? 53K dude..................Same thing we did in 78 on when we saw that used Challenger, Charger, Dart, Duster, etc.
I get asked all the time if can hold their # for when if and when I sell.
The disappointment when I tell them no I am keeping it for quite some time. Yes, they even state Show Room Floor looking at it.
Sad real Sad!

JUST THINK ... if it was pInK ??!!

Eric, can you read? Re-sale Red!
You can see it here with the record snow of 2008. has not snowed since It was a major deal here even shut down the bridges and highways yes really.

I was just illustrating that prices aren't what they used to be. It's a depressed market and there are some good buys out there.

personally i think modern muscle is hurting the classic car market more then anything. i see more and more guys selling off their old crap for modern muscle thats faster, handles better, stops better and has all the creature comforts... at some point the nostalgia of that old iron which seems to become only garage art wears off... they actually drive and enjoy their modern muscle..

i keep hearing about this poor covid economy.. just not seeing it.. just a few examples... building supplies sold out all over because of home renovations, houses sell in days at well over asking price, they can't build rv's fast enough to keep on the lot (thats across the country not location specific) and even those are selling way closer to asking price then they ever did.. people are spending money and lots of it.

this topic pops up often.

a few opinions from me.

people stating prices aren't going down that much is a reflection of the cheap $$$ flowing from the fed, emphasized by the extremely low interests rates. it's not really a true sign of the strength of the economy. yes some segments are strong but a larger portion is teetering on falling off the edge of the cliff.
interest rates go up 2 or 3 points all hell is going to break out. it's not a question of IF this will happen, it's WHEN it's going to happen.

as others posted. the top of the line numbers premium cars will always hold their value.
non numbers car prices are getting weak and weaker as time passes. they will stay in the $15-$20 range and stay there for a LONG time. i credit the modern muscle car for this.

the biggest moving upwards pricing cars are actually the late model 80's muscle cars. and this part will be going higher in the future.
not long ago i posted a low miles mint Omni GLH-S. sold for $20K. same auction had a extremely low mile 80's Turbo Daytona or or something like that that sold for $30K+.

I completely agree with this. I sold my restored 70 Cuda (did most of the work myself) about 3 years ago and bought modern muscle. The reasons I sold the Cuda and went modern was all the reason abodyjoe mentioned, faster, handles better, stops better and has all the creature comforts. Honestly I love my modern muscle and glad I went that direction and have no intentions of getting rid of it, but I do miss working on the old stuff. There are a couple of reasons why I will mostly likely never get a class car again... cost and performance. From the performance point of view it would be hard to build a classic car to perform as good as a new one. I know you can build one to come close but it is very expensive to do so which brings up the other issue, cost. Cost is really the biggest problem with these old cars especially with Mopars (60’s and early 70’s stuff). This is also true with the other brands as well but not quite as bad as with the Mopar stuff.

Any half way decent classic car which would be a good starter car for a restomod (I say restomod because I need to build something that competes with modern muscle if I was going to go back to classic muscle) is going to be in the high teen’s to low 20’s just to get started and will cost many 10’s of thousands to complete. On average I would bet you are at least around $70K to build a decent resto mod and probably a lot higher then that if you did a nice build. For that money you are easily into Hellcat territory, Camaro ZL1, or even a new Mustang GT500. I admit that the styling of the classic cars has a little more appeal then the modern muscle but I still think modern muscle is still pretty cool.

Lastly, one of the biggest show stoppers for me with doing another classic car is the body and paint work. It is really hard to find a good/trustworthy paint and body shop anymore and when you can find one the cost is just astronomical.......

BUT at our age we've all been through this 5 times now and know the world is not coming to an end. It's called a buying opportunity; stocks, CARS (did I mention I'd like to find a 74 Challenger 360 4sp), homes, INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS. Personally I am secretly waiting for a correction. Industrial building are TWICE what they "should" be around these parts.

When I worked as an engineer a coworker that made about what I did, $110k, LOST HIS $150K HOUSE during the great recession. I kept my house worth 3x as much and bought a small $50k industrial building and bought $50k of equipment to start my business. Some people will always be fools with their money.