Watching Mecum tonight,and it;s official,collectors are cashing out!

[1STMP]

I’m seeing more of these mini truck Jap imports showing up at the big show near me.


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The tide slowly turns.
Do we dare face It?
Park your hemi powered GTX next
to that thing. What are they gonna
look at?
You'll notice a definite division
In the crowd.

 

[440 PHIXX]

I think that's certainly true today. But 20 years from now? We will be seeing EVs that go well over a thousand miles per charge. With relative quick charging. Electric is going to win. I just wonder if production builds goes too cheap. Like what happened starting mid 70s. By 1980 the quality of builds were horrible. This could happen to EV. Get out the door faster and cheaper.

One non Mopar I keep an eye out for is Buick Grand National. That car stunned the automotive world starting in '82. With each year better until the pinnacle in '87. They built a damn nice car. Some say too nice. And the big wigs at GM shut them down. A story we've heard before.

It wouldn't surprise me if we see something similar with this next generation.

Too bad they sound like ****, and the highest horsepower version GNX made less than 300. Some doof bought 4 of them in a row on BAT paying more each time. I think he paid $225k for the last one he “won”.

 

[moparedtn]

I’m seeing more of these mini truck Jap imports showing up at the big show near me.


View attachment 1511706

That'd get a quick 10 second "hey, lookit that giant toy" pass by from me at a show.
Would you be tempted to tickle it under the chin and say "coochie-coo, little fella"?

 

[moparedtn]

Too bad they sound like ****, and the highest horsepower version GNX made less than 300. Some doof bought 4 of them in a row on BAT paying more each time. I think he paid $225k for the last one he “won”.

I'm seeing that happen now with any of the "last call" Mopars - people with money sending out "representatives"
to dealers to buy them up in bulk.
Apparently some folks got some money to burn out there?

 

[Skytrooper]

Eventually, the muscle car market will break. The big collectors are getting older. Possibly putting more liquid assets in their accounts to help next of kin.
The younger folks are not taking up these cars because they have mostly all been grabbed up or the price is too high for them to get in the game. Heck, I would not have one because I could never afford one. Mine I got ridiculously cheap and spent close to 6 years making it road worthy again. Only thing I shopped out was transmission rebuild. Everything else I did myself (with help from Don Frelier). I did it the old fashion / old school way, saving for each step of the way.
It's great for us that these cars are so desired and valuable. It is not great for subsequent generations. They see and want the cool cars from their youth...the same as we have done.

We might see the crash of the muscle car market, maybe we wont...who knows. What I do know is that a market that is closed to most due to pricing will eventually fail. There are only so many collectors, only so much money. The collectors, for the most part, are older....they/we will not live forever. Eventually, these cars are going to flood the market, which will cause the prices to drop. Especially with not so many younger people willing to purchase them.

 

[440 PHIXX]

I'm seeing that happen now with any of the "last call" Mopars - people with money sending out "representatives"
to dealers to buy them up in bulk.
Apparently some folks got some money to burn out there?

Could be. But the prevailing notion was that Buick GNX’s were now $200k plus cars… because of one guy. A similar 5th car went up, low mileage original. It bid to $185k to a reserve not met. The guy overpaid.

 

[Cojohnso1]

Too bad they sound like ****, and the highest horsepower version GNX made less than 300. Some doof bought 4 of them in a row on BAT paying more each time. I think he paid $225k for the last one he “won”.

I remember them dominating the track of the mid/late 80s. Stock ones running 13s. Modified 11s. Big numbers for that time by pure stock.

 

[440 PHIXX]

I remember them dominating the track of the mid/late 80s. Stock ones running 13s. Modified 11s. Big numbers for that time by pure stock.

The guy that bought them will probably never drive tham as they were all low mileage, still had plastic on the seats, original tires. I guess you just look at them and say… “They were the **** back in the day”. Reminds me of current day old Mopars being thought of as not as good, and therefore “worth less” because they have a different engine block, when they were the cars that were driven, street raced, and generally beaten. To me, they are the true survivors.

 

[Cojohnso1]

Could be. But the prevailing notion was that Buick GNX’s were now $200k plus cars… because of one guy. A similar 5th car went up, low mileage original. It bid to $185k to a reserve not met. The guy overpaid.

They were the "Hellcat" of their time. But you're right about today's prices. They went nuts too. It's why I only been keeping an "Eye" out. Not interested in paying stupid money.

My '03 Cobra was the Hellcat of its time. It can run 13 flat as is. For $200 you can put in a chip and change the supercharger pulley to smaller diameter and get up to 520 HP. Without voiding warranty. (Which was a mistake by Ford.) Although the car handled. But with a small pair of slicks. The independent rear suspension cannot. It is a very good design. Taking queues from the GT40. But it's designed more for road course. Mid 10 second drag performance is too much. Thus many Ford 9" aftermarket options.

Today. Hellcat/Demons dominate. Although I do have what I call my "Kitty killer" in the garage. Low 10 sec N/A 451 in '74 Duster. Can't seem to get the magic 9.99 from her N/A. (I'm never as fast as I hope. Lol.) I have ran up against 2 Hellcats and one Demon. Once amber light went on? Never saw them again. 3-0.

 

[moparedtn]

I remember them dominating the track of the mid/late 80s. Stock ones running 13s. Modified 11s. Big numbers for that time by pure stock.

Such sad days for performance American stuff. The 5.0 was just getting going for Ford; Ma only had the little 2.2
stuff (yes, I owned a 1985 GLH Turbo for a few years; gave up on it and traded it for am '89 5.0).
There were equally anemic IROC this and Corvette that....
Things were not going to get better until the advent of the 5.7 years later - and boy, did it then!

 

[440 PHIXX]

They were the "Hellcat" of their time. But you're right about today's prices. They went nuts too. It's why I only been keeping an "Eye" out. Not interested in paying stupid money.

My '03 Cobra was the Hellcat of its time. It can run 13 flat as is. For $200 you can put in a chip and change the supercharger pulley to smaller diameter and get up to 520 HP. Without voiding warranty. (Which was a mistake by Ford. Although the car handled. But with a small pair of slicks. The independent rear suspension cannot. It is a very good design. Taking queues from the GT40. But it's signed more for road course. Mid 10 second drag performance is too much. Thus many Ford 9" aftermarket options.

Today. Hellcat/Demons dominate. Although I do have what I call my "Kitty killer" in the garage. Low 10 sec N/A 451 in '74 Duster. Can't seem to get the magic 9.99 from her N/A. (I'm never as fast as I hope. Lol. I run up against 2 Hellcats and one Demon. Once amber light went on? Never saw them again. 3-0.

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I think Buick made a little over 500 GNX versions of the GN. Like the recent Demon Challenger, most were mothballed and never driven that much, and not raced. I have a hard time being impressed with a car that not only didn’t have a manual transmission option, but used the THM200R… a transmission initially developed for the Chevy Chevette.

 

[chargervert]

I think Buick made a little over 500 GNX versions of the GN. Like the recent Demon Challenger, most were mothballed and never driven that much, and not raced. I have a hard time being impressed with a car that not only didn’t have a manual transmission option, but used the THM200R… a transmission initially developed for the Chevy Chevette.

My friend sold his GNX for $135k,it had 8700 miles on it,with all the paperwork,and the jacket too. If he would have held out a bit longer,it would have brought 200k.

 

[440 PHIXX]

My friend sold his GNX for $135k,it had 8700 miles on it,with all the paperwork,and the jacket too. If he would have held out a bit longer,it would have brought 200k.

In 2020 the finished auctions on BAT, they were changing hands for $115k to $125k. Then early 2021 came along. They went up like everything else overnight. But the recent sales of $170k and $180k are where they seem to be. One guy bought 4 of them in a row for over $200k. He wouldn’t get his money back today.

 

[Hey-O]

On one side of the forum the sky is falling, (FBBO political forum) and on the other people are buying any kind of car they can find. I think that some believe when they stop making gas guzzling rockets, those and ours will be in hot demand. Just because a few hundred thousand new last opportunities are for sale at the dealer doesn't mean the young kids are going to buy them, we are. They can't even pay their student loans back, you think they're going to give you 100 thousand for your Charger, sorry 200. When our old asses go, so will the hobby as we see it today. I own one and it's for driving and time travel, not an investment, with these prices it's musical chairs. Someone will be standing with cars he better like. Even with salt, pepper and all the seasoning in the world, they'll be hard to swallow at dinner time. I believe it's time to enjoy what you have and depending on what you read and where, the rest you should buy guns, bullets, storable foods, houses to rent out or bury your money in tupperware in the backyard. Everyone should do whatever blows your dress up, as for me, I have my own real thoughts. I'll keep them to myself on what to do with my money and the last years of my life. I will say, Cora and one house stays with me and the wife till the end, the rest is all window dressing I don't need. If you can afford it before the world ends, buy a few dozen. You could trade a loaf of bread for one of them, according to some people's view of our world. I'm laughing, but it's really pretty sad..............

 

[#41]

One auction doesn't tell the story any more than one day in the stock market does.

We all know prices are somewhere near the peak because we are are all getting old and there is no new generation of buyers. I don't know a single person who is rushing to sell off so that they can get the most money out of their car(s), and I'd be surprised if I ever do.

 

[Hey-O]

One auction doesn't tell the story any more than one day in the stock market does.

We all know prices are somewhere near the peak because we are are all getting old and there is no new generation of buyers. I don't know a single person who is rushing to sell off so that they can get the most money out of their car(s), and I'd be surprised if I ever do.

It comes down to how much free money is floating around and not needed. Many are successful and money means little, we will always have those. The rest will out number them and walk on by. It's a game of percentage, of those selling versus those buying. At the rate we are going in five to ten years things will change.

 

[68BabyBlue]

It comes down to how much free money is floating around and not needed. Many are successful and money means little, we will always have those. The rest will out number them and walk on by. It's a game of percentage, of those selling versus those buying. At the rate we are going in five to ten years things will change.

Well stated. When money is an issue, a whole different set of forces operate. Saw this in play with the last offer I got on my car. It's not an investment, never was intended to be. Incredible personal attachment, hard to put a price on that. Offer made by an individual for whom money was not a factor. If it was an investment, I would have sold it on the spot. But it isn't, so I didn't, and when I'm gone, that potential buyer will probably be as well. And I expect the market will be lower than today, but if I felt that was a factor in my family's financial picture, I wouldn't own the car in the first place.

 

[gdrill]

Don't know where your coming up with
this stuff.

I come up with my opinion based on observations. It seems many are misunderstanding my point.
The title stated some are selling, I think maybe they see the writing on the wall.

Muscle cars, Mopars, Chargers, just for example, have become unrealistic in price. Along with economy factors. Remember when these hemi cars wouldn't sell because they were gas guzzlers?
Not knocking A-bodys either, I have some, but they are becoming quite pricey as well.
You have seen the demand drive the prices beyond what was only a few years back a hobby. (OK decades?)
Most that buy them today are looking at investment. Yes many here still drive, as do I. I prefer the build myself.
The market has become a money game vs a hobby. Barret, Mecum etc.......
Those clowns don't buy these cars to drive them. They buy them to show off to that little blonde big titted gold digger sitting with them. (OK some are car guys!) In turn, they increase the cost of acquiring for others.

A few years back I spoke with an "older than me" gentleman friend. A very respected car guy with multiple hemi cars, and we discussed the fact that the same people still show up every time at shows, except they are older than the previous time. The hair is grey all around with minimal youth. The crowd is always the same. It changed, he left us as well this year. RIP.

It would be nice to see more youth there, but "we" are too unapproachable and crusty. Obviously not all of us, but if you have $100,000 invested into your car, kids are not touching it let alone sitting in it. Hell they have ropes around them to keep you back!

Aside from that, as somebody else mentioned, they can't afford a house and daily driver let alone a $10,000 project base that will require $70,000 additional dollars! If they do build a car that is "ratty" or "patina" most stick their nose up at it. I love them, kids can climb in and crawl around.

Our cars are the coolest cars ever built, to us and many, but not all. (Yes I know people who don't agree)
Those of us who own them enjoy them however we please. Drive, show, trailer, garage conversation piece, investment, doesn't matter. They are ours.

The youth are buying Civics and putting 1000hp into them! Twin turbos, NOS, and other forms of power adders. They still get good fuel economy and can burn rubber like there's no tomorrow. They are low and handle very well.
It's not my cup of tea, but I respect their love for their cars.
Many here will say, what the heck is that junk?

Ever think that they may have the same opinion of ours?

Our cars are ours, If you own it, then love it however you want, you can't force the love onto others.

The Model A and 32 Ford were pretty cool at one time.............still are, but not like they were.

 

[Hey-O]

I come up with my opinion based on observations. It seems many are misunderstanding my point.
The title stated some are selling, I think maybe they see the writing on the wall.

Muscle cars, Mopars, Chargers, just for example, have become unrealistic in price. Along with economy factors. Remember when these hemi cars wouldn't sell because they were gas guzzlers?
Not knocking A-bodys either, I have some, but they are becoming quite pricey as well.
You have seen the demand drive the prices beyond what was only a few years back a hobby. (OK decades?)
Most that buy them today are looking at investment. Yes many here still drive, as do I. I prefer the build myself.
The market has become a money game vs a hobby. Barret, Mecum etc.......
Those clowns don't buy these cars to drive them. They buy them to show off to that little blonde big titted gold digger sitting with them. (OK some are car guys!) In turn, they increase the cost of acquiring for others.

A few years back I spoke with an "older than me" gentleman friend. A very respected car guy with multiple hemi cars, and we discussed the fact that the same people still show up every time at shows, except they are older than the previous time. The hair is grey all around with minimal youth. The crowd is always the same. It changed, he left us as well this year. RIP.

It would be nice to see more youth there, but "we" are too unapproachable and crusty. Obviously not all of us, but if you have $100,000 invested into your car, kids are not touching it let alone sitting in it. Hell they have ropes around them to keep you back!

Aside from that, as somebody else mentioned, they can't afford a house and daily driver let alone a $10,000 project base that will require $70,000 additional dollars! If they do build a car that is "ratty" or "patina" most stick their nose up at it. I love them, kids can climb in and crawl around.

Our cars are the coolest cars ever built, to us and many, but not all. (Yes I know people who don't agree)
Those of us who own them enjoy them however we please. Drive, show, trailer, garage conversation piece, investment, doesn't matter. They are ours.

The youth are buying Civics and putting 1000hp into them! Twin turbos, NOS, and other forms of power adders. They still get good fuel economy and can burn rubber like there's no tomorrow. They are low and handle very well.
It's not my cup of tea, but I respect their love for their cars.
Many here will say, what the heck is that junk?

Ever think that they may have the same opinion of ours?

Our cars are ours, If you own it, then love it however you want, you can't force the love onto others.

The Model A and 32 Ford were pretty cool at one time.............still are, but not like they were.

Well said!! The market in general is crazy!! 80, 90 thousand for a pickup truck that will be worthless before the 84 month loan is paid for, seriously. Buying what you can afford is fine, but driving a truck like that into the ground is ridiculous for the average person. 330 million people living in this country, they only need a few hundred thousand fools to line up and they do everyday. That's why many work till they fall over dead, no thanks.

 

[#41]

It comes down to how much free money is floating around and not needed. Many are successful and money means little, we will always have those. The rest will out number them and walk on by. It's a game of percentage, of those selling versus those buying. At the rate we are going in five to ten years things will change.

In this case, demand is a much bigger factor in market price than available money. If the number of people seeking a fixed commodity drops off, price plummets no matter how much expendable money is in the piggy bank.

I generally agree with your timeline.