| Author | Message | |||
     Newbuellertoo |
New Challenger 6.1 Hemi, six speed, SRT8. | |||
| Jackbequick |
A Yugo. Any Yugo. The ones that will bring a real premium prices are the models with the rear window defrosters. Most of the people that owned Yugos thought those were hand warmers for the people pushing you out of the way. Jack | |||
| Cityxslicker |
Dont be made at Chrysler for rebadging a Lebaron and selling it for 5 times more than it oughta. That is scheer marketing to get joe yuppy to buy a "maserati" Those will hit some snotty numbers twenty years from now. That Isuzu Cross is exactly the odd off low production car that drives collectors whacko 1949 VW SPlit Window 2k -> 12k sold 1953 VW Ghia Cabrio First year in Europe of Cabrio 4300 -> sold 17995 1966 VW 21 Window Bus 2200 -> 16500 sold 1962 Morris Minor Traveller 4500 -> 9995 Sold 1940 Plymouth Roadking Delux 5900 -> 16500 sold I think I have a pretty good track record | |||
| Gschuette |
Not so much the Axiom but I bet the Vehicross will be expensive one day. Except for the spare in the tailgate form thing those vehicross' were sick! | |||
| Johnnylunchbox |
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| Johnnylunchbox |
I think the 2004 Axiom will be more collectible. Last year made with a direct injection engine. | |||
| Corporatemonkey |
Ooohhh a Maser Bi-turbo. Too bad most of them are dissolving as we speak. | |||
| Bcordb3 |
A Maserati Bi-turbo (1989) went for $80,000.00 at Barrett Jackson this year. | |||
| Cityxslicker |
Ok, I know I swore off cars... but trucks, I think my next project is the 1972 Ford Bronco Baja 302
 Thats the next rig, before Ford does a Redeux | |||
| Rocketman |
Maserati Bi-turbos. At last, a car in this thread that might actually qualify. What struck me about this car more than any other I've ever come across, is how many people there are (I suspect Americans are no different) who are quick to point out what a crap car Maserati Bi-turbos were. I realised very soon after buying mine, that such praise always came from those who've never actually owned one. Or more importantly, never even driven one. There are few who have. But those that have, seldom have a bad word to say about them. And if they do, it will never be about the performance or handling. I sold my 430 Bi-turbo to a friend about three years ago. Fabulous car. From that moment forward my friend really got bitten by the Bi-turbo bug, and went out to hunt down the ultimate. Last year we both found ourselves in Nottingham in search of the very illusive Ghibli Cup. Only 29 right hookers exist, and we'd heard one roamed around Robin Hood country. Well not anymore. After some very large bundles of hay, a few pigs and some cattle were exchanged, I can now tell you this beast resides in Yorkshire, and can often be found terrorising small boys and old ladies.  Fast is not the word! Rocket | |||
| Buellboiler |
Bringing it back home...... Without a doubt the late model Corvette Z06 will be right up there. Due to incredible performance at a relatively low price. The 1984-1986 Mustang SVO. Due to impressive balanced performance in it's day. The 1953-1954 Studebaker Commander coupe (both sedan and hardtop convertible). Due to beautiful styling that was at least a decade ahead of everyone else. Oops that wasn't much of a prediction as it has already happened. I can think of more given a minute to consider. | |||
| Johnnylunchbox |
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| Rocketman |
Bringing it back home......  What? This thread is littered with Japanese tin boxes! Rocket | |||
| Buellboiler |
Rocket, As you see 'my' selections are domestics, thus the bringing it back home. After I logged off I thought of some additions that you would appreciate. Please add the TVR Chimaera and TVR Griffith 500. | |||
| Paw |
A Yugo. Any Yugo. The ones that will bring a real premium prices are the models with the rear window defrosters. Most of the people that owned Yugos thought those were hand warmers for the people pushing you out of the way. Did you here Yugo was working on a station wagon just before they ended production? They were going to call it a Wego. (we go) | |||
| Doughnut |
90's Impala Grand National GNX Eagle Talon Fiero (sp?) | |||
| Rocketman |
Boiler, thanks. I was joking of course, hence the grinning fella. Anyway............ If we narrow the field down, from whatever country, I find it hard to accept so many vehicles as 'true' classics, simply because they become classics by age, and therefore rarity too. Accordingly, just because a vehicle might have been produced in limited numbers, or very limited numbers, even down to an extreme hand built few in some cases, that doesn't necessarily mean classic status is already a prerequisite. Point of fact, some might argue strongly a DeLorean is no classic, and I'd be one of them. Yes it has a rarity and collectible value, yet it failed to become much of a car after all was said and done. Classic? I don't believe so. Someone mentioned Morris Minors. Regarded by many as a classic. Though again, such exalted status is brought about by the early split window and convertible versions perhaps deserving classic recognition, but the popularity of the more easily accessible 'Moggie' Minor 1000 and the few numbers remaining simply mean these models have been tied in with their earlier and more deserving counterparts. In the true sense of the word, I find it difficult to accept the ugly 'Moggie' Minor as a true classic. Accordingly, let's take a look at TVR as mentioned by Buellboiler. The Chimaera is TVR's most popular of all models, sharing nearly everything except the body shape itself with the Griffith. Given the Griffith was made in far fewer numbers, and it is arguably TVR's greatest production offering, I'd be content recognising the Griffith as an instant classic. The Chimaera I would not. Reason being, the Griffith was accepted by all as a fantastic sports car in every sense. The Chimaera had the aggressive looks of the Griffith intentionally softened to appeal to a wider audience. Not surprisingly many women bought into TVR because of the Chimaera's softer look and its consequent 'girl power' image, but along the way the softer looks harm its classic status when compared to other TVR's. But of course, any hand built sports car the likes of what TVR made, whether you like them or not, are probably all instant classics by merit alone, rather than just low volume production and scarcity value. Have TVR ever made a bad or an ugly car? Never is the answer. So let's look at the Japanese manufacturers. Instantly recognisable has to be the original 2000GT. The Datsun 240Z and 260Z are definites. If you ever get the opportunity to look inside an early 70's Zed, it's hard not to like the fake leather 'mesh' bucket seats or the deep sunk eye lid instruments on display. That the Japanese copied all the trademark features from others of what made a sports car a sports car, back in the 70's many a purist frowned upon them, but today it's easy to quantify these offerings from Japan as classics. Not only due to their now scarce existence, but also because they represent an era that more than anything marks the Japanese as getting serious about manufacturing stylish looking performance cars. I doubt anyone would have dared to say an early Celica GT would ever become a classic car. For one, it was Japanese, and secondly, no one ever saw a Celica GT as anything more than a souped up family saloon with little class and a reputation for cheapness. Now, I'd give my back teeth for one, as would many. Something lurks within the Celica GT smooth flanks and bold haunches that seems to have become a Japanese 'look' that 30 years later is hard to deny the attractiveness of. Which leads me nicely to today's offering that is the Skyline. Many would argue the merits of performance and technology alone as enough for classic status, and it is I suppose, a somewhat alright looking car. I personally wouldn't call any 1990's on Skyline a classic. They are not a true drivers car as the car all but drives itself, and their image and cult status among the immature element of car culture places them at odds with the cognoscenti who would instantly dismiss the later Skyline as a kids toy. The very early Skylines were a different matter, and over the years they have their place in history and classic status. As for American offerings. I have a theory that the availability of today's muscle car Mustangs and similar, only serve to water down their classic status in today's world. Their time will come, but for now their ease of availability tarnishes the scarcity value, as does their relatively low purchase cost. Aside from all the weird and wonderful prototype and low volume offerings the US manufacturers have to their credit, the original Viper RT\10 has to be the only instant true classic available today. Most everything else, no matter where its country of origin, will have to rely upon the passing of time and its merit well deserved before classic status can be applied. Like most things in the world today, 'classic car' has been applied to many not so deserving, if ever at all, simply because we want to believe we own (or want to) a vehicle of such merit. The reality is, we don't own a GT350 Shelby, Aston Martin DB5, Rolls Royce Phantom, Plymouth Superbird, Dodge Charger or E Type Jaguar, but our willingness to believe anything can become a classic serves only to water down what really is a true classic whilst pandering to our needs and more realistic budget constraints. For the most, that is what is clear about nearly every vehicle mentioned in this thread so far, save for the expensive and the exotic. In other words, if you can't afford it, it is very likely a classic. All the rest are, for the most, merely pretenders.  Rocket | |||
| Johnnylunchbox |
One of my all time favorites. Already a classic. Way too expensive for me.  | |||
| Kyrocket |
+1 for the '94-'97 Impala especially the silver/green color. There's an old, I mean old, woman in town who owns one. Everytime I see her I think what a waste. On the other hand it should be in good shape for the next owner. | |||
| Slaughter |
My boss (Don Edmunds) worked with Bill Thomas on the Cheetah. Edmunds was a wizard at hand-forming aluminum bodies and a decent designer in his own right. If it weren't for the fire that destroyed the operation, we might have been talking about the Cheetah - and maybe only mention that also-ran: the AC Cobra. Amazing car - roadster configuration but nearly the axle weight bias of a rear-engined car.   | |||
| Buellboiler |
Wait a minute. I thought the title was which cars will become "valuable", not "classics". Take the 1957 Ford versus the 1957 Chevy. When new the Ford was a much more popular choice and sales figure verify that fact. After a few decades the 57 Chevy has become more valuable. That is what makes speculation so hard. Boiler PS - Apparently I have a lot to learn about TVRs. I still like the looks of the Chimaera even if it is a girl's car. | |||
| Cityxslicker |
The 1956 Mercury Village Rambler, the LAST American woody factory built, little known, highly sought, would put the askings for those Bel Aires to shame. Happy hunting, replicas of it are going for 30k. | |||
| Rocketman |
Reminds me of the 'kit car' Fisher Fury.  Check out www.furyusa.com The motorcycle engine variants are very popular in the UK. Rocket | |||
| Rocketman |
As are four pot Ford engines!  Rocket | |||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Anything the Chinese are into | |||
| Rocketman |
Anything the Chinese are into Yeah. They bought the Rover brand in its entirety, including the Longbridge production facility, which they shipped to China. The Chinese bought Benelli too, but they had to leave it in Italy. The British government are dumb f*cks. They'll sell anything to anybody, rather than support it, protect it, look out for it, make it work. That's why two of our best brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, have been sold by their American owners to the bloody Indian's of all people. Nothing wrong with Indian's. But surely something that's quintessentially British, deserves to remain so. What do I know. I'm just a constr.......sorry, Saab mechanic. Rocket | |||
| Doughnut |
Chevy Siverado SS | |||
| 86129squids |
+1 for the Yugo! I worked for a woman who had one- damn thing ran great, smoked a bit, but was tons of fun to drive. Drove it to Atlanta to see David Bowie and NIN in concert- fun trip to be sure. I would LOVE to have one of their convertibles! Then stuff a Wankel motor in it and go hunting for pinks. Maybe even make it a Gap runner. | |||
| 86129squids |
Anyone heard of the factory reconditioned Z-cars? Send 'em one, they would send it back with a New warranty Truly my all time dream ride, make mine 2+2... | |||
| Doughnut |
80's Chevy Monte Carlo SS |
