What's a Hemi B Body worth these days?

[Bruzilla]

You do a good job of explaining the historical trend of “investment” cars and auctions over the last 20 plus years. Something I’m not aware of or have followed to that extent. I think that it illustrates my point in that when “investing”becomes the driver of the “hobby” , cars are then bought and sold for reasons other than the appreciation of the cars and what they represent to the owner. Certainly to most people this is a time of economic uncertainty and investments have to be closely evaluated. Although I am aware that there are a few people to which money is not a consideration.

Investors have been a thorn in all our sides for many decades. I had a chance to buy a 440-6 Superbird in 1986 for $5,000, but passed because I was based at NAS Bermuda and didn't want to store it. When I came home in April 1988, just six months since Black Monday, that car was already at $70,000. Investors drove the market, and were facilitated by the auctions who allowed shill bidding to drive prices up to new highs just about every month through the rest of the 1980s and 1990s.

Now that investors have new and better places to stick their spare change, the hobbyists are coming back into control of the market, which is great for some and bad for others... especially those who bought at the top of the mark, and it's going to get worse for them. As demand drops, the gazillionaires who've been avoiding losses are starting to sell more and more at a loss because many of them have a lot of cars to unload, and while a gazillionaire may not lose sleep over losing $50k or so on a car, the poor guy with one car sure feels it and does their best to avoid it and resists selling out of hope the market will reverse, which I don't see as likely. Like in most markets, the last guy to sell usually takes the biggest hit.

 

[skyman51]

Thinkin the LS6 he has might buy more than a hemi engine,and properly tuned would leave the Hemi scatchin its hemi heads.lol

I buy what I like, and do not try and calculate how much it is going to be worth. I learned a long time ago to buy the best you can afford and don't try and nickle and dime it. These are all cars of my youth. Having said that, there are cars and there are cars. I sold my 1970 Cranberry Red Chevelle LS6 not quite two years ago for over six figures. My current ride, a fully documented #1 1967 Hemi GTX has a standing offer for over six figures. Both these cars are way down from the stupid money they were selling for before 2008, but compared with other cars of today, they are still selling for a lot. Condition (original drivetrain and sheet metal), rarity and documentation mean everything. If you can buy a Hemi cheap, ask yourself why. It is very expensive to rebuild a Hemi motor. As other posters have said, a lot has to do with the brand and model also.

 

[snakeyes]

hi and welcome to the site ,the white one in ohio is a nice one good luck with your quest :headbang:

 

[ilm65]

My dear wife had a Chevelle almost 40 years ago with I met her.
But I loved her anyway. She won't let me buy her another one.
I'm OK with that either way.
See, my philosophy is different. It is neither right or wrong. Just me.
I’m probably in the minority and it's not the opinion you are looking for.
I have bought my MOPARS because I like them.
The way look at, if I buy a MOPAR I'm not too concerned about the future value of the car. That goes whether it is a 3000-dollar car or a 300 thousand dollar one. I buy them for the appreciation of them. I just don't want to get in it "over my head".
In other word, if my cars were worth nothing tomorrow, I could “afford” it and I would still have bought them. They mean something because of people.
It might be considered a hobby. I’m not sure if I need to make money on a hobby.The laws of supply and demand are at work. Big money and business are involved in what used to be a hobby during a time of economic uncertainty.
Hence the “pretzel” market someone compared it to.
Don't I have a profound grasp of the obvious?:worry::worry::worry:

onlyone,
I appreciate your perspective on this hobby--though opinions will differ, I feel far more relaxed when working on or showing my car just knowing I'm not doing it for profit--it's my hobby, my escape, my relaxation.

 

[Richard Cranium]

If it makes any difference, below is a summary of a professional appraisal that I just had on my '68 Hemi Cahrger....


Summary/Comments

(Condition code: #1 Excellent, #2 Fine, #3 Very Good, #4 Good/Fair, #5 Poor/Restorable, #6 Parts Car)

Overall Condition Rating: 1-

This is truly an exceptional example of an extremely well cared for HEMI 426 that has been mechanically
and cosmetically restored to showroom quality. All four categories score fine or excellent and it shows with
excellent paint, corrosion free undercarriage, very clean engine bay and interior with all systems
functioning as they should. It should be noted that some valuation sources find true HEMI Charger R/T’s to
be inestimable. In determining this vehicle value I paid close attention to comparable sales going back to
2009. It should also be noted that I have added a premium for the low original miles and a subsequent
addition for the original Hemi 426.

After careful evaluation of this vehicle, based on my expertise and experience (and after consulting Old
Cars Price Guide, NADA, Collector Car Auction Results, the Internet, reviewing the International Vehicle
Appraisers Network database, reviewing comparables, etc. and after consulting with other Professional
Appraisers, museums, and automotive experts, etc., when necessary, I appraise (estimate) this vehicle as
having a Fair Market Value of $138,000.

 

[Budnicks]

If it makes any difference, below is a summary of a professional appraisal that I just had on my '68 Hemi Cahrger....


Summary/Comments

(Condition code: #1 Excellent, #2 Fine, #3 Very Good, #4 Good/Fair, #5 Poor/Restorable, #6 Parts Car)

Overall Condition Rating: 1-

This is truly an exceptional example of an extremely well cared for HEMI 426 that has been mechanically
and cosmetically restored to showroom quality. All four categories score fine or excellent and it shows with
excellent paint, corrosion free undercarriage, very clean engine bay and interior with all systems
functioning as they should. It should be noted that some valuation sources find true HEMI Charger R/T’s to
be inestimable. In determining this vehicle value I paid close attention to comparable sales going back to
2009. It should also be noted that I have added a premium for the low original miles and a subsequent
addition for the original Hemi 426.

After careful evaluation of this vehicle, based on my expertise and experience (and after consulting Old
Cars Price Guide, NADA, Collector Car Auction Results, the Internet, reviewing the International Vehicle
Appraisers Network database, reviewing comparables, etc. and after consulting with other Professional
Appraisers, museums, and automotive experts, etc., when necessary, I appraise (estimate) this vehicle as
having a Fair Market Value of $138,000.

It's probably priceless to some... absolutely beautiful to me :headbang:

 

[Meep-Meep]

If it makes any difference, below is a summary of a professional appraisal that I just had on my '68 Hemi Cahrger....


Summary/Comments

(Condition code: #1 Excellent, #2 Fine, #3 Very Good, #4 Good/Fair, #5 Poor/Restorable, #6 Parts Car)

Overall Condition Rating: 1-

This is truly an exceptional example of an extremely well cared for HEMI 426 that has been mechanically
and cosmetically restored to showroom quality. All four categories score fine or excellent and it shows with
excellent paint, corrosion free undercarriage, very clean engine bay and interior with all systems
functioning as they should. It should be noted that some valuation sources find true HEMI Charger R/T’s to
be inestimable. In determining this vehicle value I paid close attention to comparable sales going back to
2009. It should also be noted that I have added a premium for the low original miles and a subsequent
addition for the original Hemi 426.

After careful evaluation of this vehicle, based on my expertise and experience (and after consulting Old
Cars Price Guide, NADA, Collector Car Auction Results, the Internet, reviewing the International Vehicle
Appraisers Network database, reviewing comparables, etc. and after consulting with other Professional
Appraisers, museums, and automotive experts, etc., when necessary, I appraise (estimate) this vehicle as
having a Fair Market Value of $138,000.

Will you trade it for a microphone?

 

[skyman51]

I sold my 1970 ORIGINAL LS6 Chevelle with awards and bullet proof docs. I bought what I think is the best 1967 Hemi GTX 2 dr hardtop out there. I love it. I would sell it for a big number. There are Hemi B bodies and there are Hemi B bodies. Buy the best you can afford, not a project.