Discussion
I've owned & driven US cars for over 30 years now, but just in the last few months, prices seem to have gone through the roof. I'm not talking Roadrunners, Superbees, Shelbys and the like; they have always fetched a premium, but 'ordinary' metal, like, for example, 70's Impalas, 70's/80's Cadillacs and the like, which are appearing on eBay with ridiculous prices.
It seems entry-point now is around £15k for anything half-decent. Run-of-the-mill pickups seems to fetch £12k up, no matter what condition. Even unmolested, and until recently, unloved, '73 Mustangs are looking for £25k. I know there's a difference between what's asked and what's realised, but some vendors are really pushing it.
And don't get me started on 'barn finds'. For some reason those words give the seller carte blanche to sell a pile of rusty junk for a price that would have bought a nice '69 Mustang a few years back.
Oh for the days of matching-numbers 455 Firebirds for less that £2k...(my first US car, a few years back).
I suppose someone will blame Brexit/Covid, but come on...
It seems entry-point now is around £15k for anything half-decent. Run-of-the-mill pickups seems to fetch £12k up, no matter what condition. Even unmolested, and until recently, unloved, '73 Mustangs are looking for £25k. I know there's a difference between what's asked and what's realised, but some vendors are really pushing it.
And don't get me started on 'barn finds'. For some reason those words give the seller carte blanche to sell a pile of rusty junk for a price that would have bought a nice '69 Mustang a few years back.
Oh for the days of matching-numbers 455 Firebirds for less that £2k...(my first US car, a few years back).
I suppose someone will blame Brexit/Covid, but come on...
Exchange rate will play a big part I guess,it has been sitting around $1.25-1.30 = £1 for quite a while now and has a huge affect on imports, I've had to increase the value for insurance on mine,due to being 1 of only a handfull in the country the cost to replace has increased due to the exchange rate
AdeTuono said:
irocfan said:
The exchange rate for sure - also (probably) greed
But many of them have been in the UK for years, so that shouldn't be an issue.AdeTuono said:
I've owned & driven US cars for over 30 years now, but just in the last few months, prices seem to have gone through the roof. I'm not talking Roadrunners, Superbees, Shelbys and the like; they have always fetched a premium, but 'ordinary' metal, like, for example, 70's Impalas, 70's/80's Cadillacs and the like, which are appearing on eBay with ridiculous prices.
It seems entry-point now is around £15k for anything half-decent. Run-of-the-mill pickups seems to fetch £12k up, no matter what condition. Even unmolested, and until recently, unloved, '73 Mustangs are looking for £25k. I know there's a difference between what's asked and what's realised, but some vendors are really pushing it.
And don't get me started on 'barn finds'. For some reason those words give the seller carte blanche to sell a pile of rusty junk for a price that would have bought a nice '69 Mustang a few years back.
Oh for the days of matching-numbers 455 Firebirds for less that £2k...(my first US car, a few years back).
I suppose someone will blame Brexit/Covid, but come on...
Same as you i have been driving yanks for 30 years plus and enjoyed them as they were the best kept secret but over the last few years i've noticed the buyers have changed ,you now got London bankers and the like getting in on the act ,because it's become trendy from your usual Porsche/Ferrari /Aston. But as soon as there's trouble as you will get with these old cars they go running back to prestige badges.not just that ,most of them can't drive old yanks and as we all know they don't corner or brake and squeak and rattle a bit which to me makes them more fun and a challenge to drive.It seems entry-point now is around £15k for anything half-decent. Run-of-the-mill pickups seems to fetch £12k up, no matter what condition. Even unmolested, and until recently, unloved, '73 Mustangs are looking for £25k. I know there's a difference between what's asked and what's realised, but some vendors are really pushing it.
And don't get me started on 'barn finds'. For some reason those words give the seller carte blanche to sell a pile of rusty junk for a price that would have bought a nice '69 Mustang a few years back.
Oh for the days of matching-numbers 455 Firebirds for less that £2k...(my first US car, a few years back).
I suppose someone will blame Brexit/Covid, but come on...
Ferrari's and Lamborghini's have been replaced with muscle cars in most pop video's and the hero in the films now drive a Mustang,Cuda or Charger and with all the American Hot Rod shows on TV helps to sow the seed which is boosting interest ,
As an example the last 3 cars i sold went to big money people, a 64 Galaxie coupe is now a race car having sold it to the richest man in Ireland, a super charged Falcon is now living in Jersey after the buyer flow in from there on his private plane and now my 68 Bullutt Mustang is sharing it's living accommodation with a Ferrari Dino,Derby Bentley,2 Aston Martins and a E Type Jag and that just about sums it up.
It wasn't long ago i would turn up at Goodwood in my £5k Mustang and nobody would talk to me ,all leaning against their E types,Aston's ect and now that Lord March has a few yanks and a Hot Rod the same tweed caps are now leaning against their Mustang Fastbacks that they've paid £60k plus for as if they've just discovered them . Does make my blood boil but Ha Ho what can you do. Looking at the amount of Mustangs imported over the last couple of years there seems to be a glut of them at the moment and unless you have something really special i think the American market may slow down ,never going back to where it was but may become a little more sensible, Who know !
Edited by rat rod on Monday 10th August 00:13
Looking through the huge pile of $$$ invoices and @ the parts that have been fitted to my gorgeous 68 SS427 Camaro, is simply staggering. It’s engine build alone is $$ eye watering.
It would cost an absolute fortune to build this car to its current spec now. Looking around, @ what else is for sale, there is nothing out there ATM, that comes anywhere near it.
It would cost an absolute fortune to build this car to its current spec now. Looking around, @ what else is for sale, there is nothing out there ATM, that comes anywhere near it.
Edited by neutral 3 on Saturday 15th August 00:10
AdeTuono said:
I've owned & driven US cars for over 30 years now, but just in the last few months, prices seem to have gone through the roof. I'm not talking Roadrunners, Superbees, Shelbys and the like; they have always fetched a premium, but 'ordinary' metal, like, for example, 70's Impalas, 70's/80's Cadillacs and the like, which are appearing on eBay with ridiculous prices.
It seems entry-point now is around £15k for anything half-decent. Run-of-the-mill pickups seems to fetch £12k up, no matter what condition. Even unmolested, and until recently, unloved, '73 Mustangs are looking for £25k. I know there's a difference between what's asked and what's realised, but some vendors are really pushing it.
And don't get me started on 'barn finds'. For some reason those words give the seller carte blanche to sell a pile of rusty junk for a price that would have bought a nice '69 Mustang a few years back.
Oh for the days of matching-numbers 455 Firebirds for less that £2k...(my first US car, a few years back).
I suppose someone will blame Brexit/Covid, but come on...
Surely there's a system here, a Vendor can price his or her car at any price they see fit, It seems entry-point now is around £15k for anything half-decent. Run-of-the-mill pickups seems to fetch £12k up, no matter what condition. Even unmolested, and until recently, unloved, '73 Mustangs are looking for £25k. I know there's a difference between what's asked and what's realised, but some vendors are really pushing it.
And don't get me started on 'barn finds'. For some reason those words give the seller carte blanche to sell a pile of rusty junk for a price that would have bought a nice '69 Mustang a few years back.
Oh for the days of matching-numbers 455 Firebirds for less that £2k...(my first US car, a few years back).
I suppose someone will blame Brexit/Covid, but come on...
just as you as the buyer has ultimate right of veto and keep your cash in your wallet.
Its worth what someone will pay, end of!
Now given that early Escorts go for 40K and later XR3 types are 20K , im thinking thats makes a lot of yanks a bit of a bargain!
Moneys really cheap, buy now while you can, cos all this crap is only going one way
I think it is due to the values of other classics sky rocketing in recent years, so people who have been priced out of buying, for example, a £15-20k aircooled Porsche now turn their attention to an interesting 'Yank'.
Let alone the prices of the more desirable American cars also going out of people's budgets.
Let alone the prices of the more desirable American cars also going out of people's budgets.
Take a look at what American cars can command in home town USA, then factor in a absolute rubbish exchange rate, rising logistical costs,
and hey presto , 45K for a Fastback Mustang, that will need a ton of money to make it anything like a half decent car.
The reasons behind any prices is totally academic,
If you think its to pricey dont buy it!
Simple...........................................................................
The biggest irony is that there's plenty of lower end American Cars, and that's doing them a disservice coz they are only lower end as most buyers aspire to a more trendy sporty type car,
Monte Carlo's , Le Mans, Satellites etc, all pretty much the same as the SS /RS type motors but command far less money,
Years ago i had a 68 350 Pontiac Le Man's Coupe, 6 seater, Column Shifter, this car would out drag almost anything in a traffic light grand prix.
A GTO without the price tag,
and hey presto , 45K for a Fastback Mustang, that will need a ton of money to make it anything like a half decent car.
The reasons behind any prices is totally academic,
If you think its to pricey dont buy it!
Simple...........................................................................
The biggest irony is that there's plenty of lower end American Cars, and that's doing them a disservice coz they are only lower end as most buyers aspire to a more trendy sporty type car,
Monte Carlo's , Le Mans, Satellites etc, all pretty much the same as the SS /RS type motors but command far less money,
Years ago i had a 68 350 Pontiac Le Man's Coupe, 6 seater, Column Shifter, this car would out drag almost anything in a traffic light grand prix.
A GTO without the price tag,
newsatten said:
The reasons behind any prices is totally academic,
If you think its to pricey dont buy it!
Simple...........................................................................
The biggest irony is that there's plenty of lower end American Cars, and that's doing them a disservice coz they are only lower end as most buyers aspire to a more trendy sporty type car,
Monte Carlo's , Le Mans, Satellites etc, all pretty much the same as the SS /RS type motors but command far less money,
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't moaning, just curious. And as you say, it's kind of forced me to look at different models. There's a lovely 60's Impala on eBay at the moment, something I wouldn't have considered a while back. And now also seems to be the time to scratch that itch for a '66 Bonneville 2-door, something I've fancied for years. If you think its to pricey dont buy it!
Simple...........................................................................
The biggest irony is that there's plenty of lower end American Cars, and that's doing them a disservice coz they are only lower end as most buyers aspire to a more trendy sporty type car,
Monte Carlo's , Le Mans, Satellites etc, all pretty much the same as the SS /RS type motors but command far less money,
I'm glad that I did the Corvette/Mustang/Camaro when I was younger, but they seem to be everywhere these days. And there are still bargains out there. I bought a lovely '55 Chevy 210 a few months back (albeit a four-door...) for £13k, possibly being joined by a similar condition '56 BelAir soon. Now would seem to be the time to stock up on unloved models/variants to give me something to enjoy in my dotage.
Ive sort of finished my Challenger now, well as finished as older car ever are!
It drives very well, behaves in traffic etc, no dramas,
Ive been searching on and off for years for a 70-71 Ram Air 111 Manual Trans Am, its a car ive hankered after since 1974 when i had my first ride in one that belonged to a guy that worked for my old man,
Cant see it ever happening now , even if i got a decent price for the challenger which is a genuine S code RT, Trans Am prices have climbed
so high id still have to find 20K plus
These cars are now only for the rich,
Another irony is the cheaper lower level cars are really more fun to own and use, they can live outside, you can go to Tesco's in them without the constant worry of damage of theft etc,
It drives very well, behaves in traffic etc, no dramas,
Ive been searching on and off for years for a 70-71 Ram Air 111 Manual Trans Am, its a car ive hankered after since 1974 when i had my first ride in one that belonged to a guy that worked for my old man,
Cant see it ever happening now , even if i got a decent price for the challenger which is a genuine S code RT, Trans Am prices have climbed
so high id still have to find 20K plus
These cars are now only for the rich,
Another irony is the cheaper lower level cars are really more fun to own and use, they can live outside, you can go to Tesco's in them without the constant worry of damage of theft etc,
newsatten said:
Ive sort of finished my Challenger now, well as finished as older car ever are!
It drives very well, behaves in traffic etc, no dramas,
Ive been searching on and off for years for a 70-71 Ram Air 111 Manual Trans Am, its a car ive hankered after since 1974 when i had my first ride in one that belonged to a guy that worked for my old man,
Cant see it ever happening now , even if i got a decent price for the challenger which is a genuine S code RT, Trans Am prices have climbed
so high id still have to find 20K plus
These cars are now only for the rich,
Another irony is the cheaper lower level cars are really more fun to own and use, they can live outside, you can go to Tesco's in them without the constant worry of damage of theft etc,
Spot on, i owned a 1970 Trans am bull nose ,H.O 455 ram air none matching numbers stroked to 462 with a Super Duty carb with all sorts of lovely internals mated to a 4 speed muncie box , paid £12,500 13 years ago from a guy who had owned it for over 25 years,he was happy as he paid under £3.000 for it but the happiest man is the guy that still own's it today, hate to think what's it worth now,probably couldn't afford to buy it back.It drives very well, behaves in traffic etc, no dramas,
Ive been searching on and off for years for a 70-71 Ram Air 111 Manual Trans Am, its a car ive hankered after since 1974 when i had my first ride in one that belonged to a guy that worked for my old man,
Cant see it ever happening now , even if i got a decent price for the challenger which is a genuine S code RT, Trans Am prices have climbed
so high id still have to find 20K plus
These cars are now only for the rich,
Another irony is the cheaper lower level cars are really more fun to own and use, they can live outside, you can go to Tesco's in them without the constant worry of damage of theft etc,
Edited by rat rod on Friday 14th August 21:42
Yeah ive all but given up now, been looking at one for sale in Finland, 49000e but thats all it will be looking!
As much as i love em they are completely out of reach now , my wages are lower now than 20 years ago
And with Restoration costs going through the roof, buying a project would be a very very brave thing to do, the import costs of heavy large panels is now unbelievable !
As much as i love em they are completely out of reach now , my wages are lower now than 20 years ago
And with Restoration costs going through the roof, buying a project would be a very very brave thing to do, the import costs of heavy large panels is now unbelievable !
newsatten said:
Yeah ive all but given up now, been looking at one for sale in Finland, 49000e but thats all it will be looking!
As much as i love em they are completely out of reach now , my wages are lower now than 20 years ago
And with Restoration costs going through the roof, buying a project would be a very very brave thing to do, the import costs of heavy large panels is now unbelievable !
At least you have your Challenger,a lot of people would kill to own it,trouble is we are always looking over our shoulder for the next one,It''s human nature.I parted with my 70 matching numbers Sublime green Challenger 383 R/T to buy my next dream car on my wish list, a 69 Charger 440 which i was so disappointed with compared to the Challenger so ended up with another Challenger but with a none matching numbers 440,much quicker than the 383 but only half the car , Should have stayed where i was cost me money to go backwards .Seen the Sublime car a couple of times at Wheels day with Elo driving it,someone said he keeps it at his London Museum and now owned by one of his London football player mates so won't be getting that one back any time soon.As much as i love em they are completely out of reach now , my wages are lower now than 20 years ago
And with Restoration costs going through the roof, buying a project would be a very very brave thing to do, the import costs of heavy large panels is now unbelievable !
Edited by rat rod on Sunday 16th August 23:02
LOL..................
Oh yes been there ,done that!!!
the last one was a lovely 70 440 Road Runner, no ive got lots still to do to the chally, Chrome Bumpers, new Fuel Tank and pickup/sender
New Wheels and tyres, are jobs for the rest of this year,
I also may pull the glass out again if i can find someone to fit the concours correct legendary Vinyl Roof ive got sitting im my loft!
Future plans are full Manual conversion, 5/6 speed Tremec, 400 plus Stroker Kit , TA glass hood, and a full 2.5 inch Stainless exhaust system
The 3" flow master thats currently fitted is just to big, and far to heavy,
In fact loosing weight would deffo be the way to go , everything on the chally is stupidly heavy, however the brief was make it strong,clean and come apart with the minimum effort as i knew that at some point i would be making some changes, these are a hobby and as such always in a sort of state of flux
As much as id like the Trans Am, The Challenger's probably a better car, plus the fact they are fairly rare when compered to the mainstream idea of a Muscle Car,
Oh yes been there ,done that!!!
the last one was a lovely 70 440 Road Runner, no ive got lots still to do to the chally, Chrome Bumpers, new Fuel Tank and pickup/sender
New Wheels and tyres, are jobs for the rest of this year,
I also may pull the glass out again if i can find someone to fit the concours correct legendary Vinyl Roof ive got sitting im my loft!
Future plans are full Manual conversion, 5/6 speed Tremec, 400 plus Stroker Kit , TA glass hood, and a full 2.5 inch Stainless exhaust system
The 3" flow master thats currently fitted is just to big, and far to heavy,
In fact loosing weight would deffo be the way to go , everything on the chally is stupidly heavy, however the brief was make it strong,clean and come apart with the minimum effort as i knew that at some point i would be making some changes, these are a hobby and as such always in a sort of state of flux
As much as id like the Trans Am, The Challenger's probably a better car, plus the fact they are fairly rare when compered to the mainstream idea of a Muscle Car,
newsatten said:
LOL..................
Oh yes been there ,done that!!!
the last one was a lovely 70 440 Road Runner, no ive got lots still to do to the chally, Chrome Bumpers, new Fuel Tank and pickup/sender
New Wheels and tyres, are jobs for the rest of this year,
I also may pull the glass out again if i can find someone to fit the concours correct legendary Vinyl Roof ive got sitting im my loft!
Future plans are full Manual conversion, 5/6 speed Tremec, 400 plus Stroker Kit , TA glass hood, and a full 2.5 inch Stainless exhaust system
The 3" flow master thats currently fitted is just to big, and far to heavy,
In fact loosing weight would deffo be the way to go , everything on the chally is stupidly heavy, however the brief was make it strong,clean and come apart with the minimum effort as i knew that at some point i would be making some changes, these are a hobby and as such always in a sort of state of flux
As much as id like the Trans Am, The Challenger's probably a better car, plus the fact they are fairly rare when compered to the mainstream idea of a Muscle Car,
Sounds like you got a busy winter ahead of you,hope you have a warm garage and a understanding wife/ partner .Oh yes been there ,done that!!!
the last one was a lovely 70 440 Road Runner, no ive got lots still to do to the chally, Chrome Bumpers, new Fuel Tank and pickup/sender
New Wheels and tyres, are jobs for the rest of this year,
I also may pull the glass out again if i can find someone to fit the concours correct legendary Vinyl Roof ive got sitting im my loft!
Future plans are full Manual conversion, 5/6 speed Tremec, 400 plus Stroker Kit , TA glass hood, and a full 2.5 inch Stainless exhaust system
The 3" flow master thats currently fitted is just to big, and far to heavy,
In fact loosing weight would deffo be the way to go , everything on the chally is stupidly heavy, however the brief was make it strong,clean and come apart with the minimum effort as i knew that at some point i would be making some changes, these are a hobby and as such always in a sort of state of flux
As much as id like the Trans Am, The Challenger's probably a better car, plus the fact they are fairly rare when compered to the mainstream idea of a Muscle Car,
Lol
At the moment it's all a bit academic!
As until I know whether I've still got a job come October I'm just going to sit tight and see what happens,
Weve been warned that job losses are
likely but as yet no names !
If I get made redundant the Challenger will stay as it is for the foreseeable future maybe even sold if things get really tight !
C'est la vie ..........
At the moment it's all a bit academic!
As until I know whether I've still got a job come October I'm just going to sit tight and see what happens,
Weve been warned that job losses are
likely but as yet no names !
If I get made redundant the Challenger will stay as it is for the foreseeable future maybe even sold if things get really tight !
C'est la vie ..........
Edited by newsatten on Tuesday 18th August 12:05
newsatten said:
Lol
At the moment it's all a bit academic!
As until I know whether I've still got a job come October I'm just going to sit tight and see what happens,
Weve been warned that job losses are
likely but as yet no names !
If I get made redundant the Challenger will stay as it is for the foreseeable future maybe even sold if things get really tight !
C'est la vie ..........
Sorry to hear this,my brother and my daughter inlaw have just been made redundant so very close to home.Would be a shame after all the hard work you have put in.keep my fingers crossed for you ,l'm sure you will be ok,just tell them you got a wife , mortgage. and a Challenger to finish At the moment it's all a bit academic!
As until I know whether I've still got a job come October I'm just going to sit tight and see what happens,
Weve been warned that job losses are
likely but as yet no names !
If I get made redundant the Challenger will stay as it is for the foreseeable future maybe even sold if things get really tight !
C'est la vie ..........
Edited by newsatten on Tuesday 18th August 12:05
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