Muscle Car Value Guide
It has been nearly 40 years since the era of classic muscle cars ended. However, the passion for muscle car power and style continues for baby boomers and a new generation of muscle car lovers. As of June 2010, the resale market for muscle cars continues to offer tantalizing machines at a wide range of prices. It is the educated buyer who will walk away with the sweetest deal.
Other People Are Reading
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Adjusting Market
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In an October 2008 article at TheTruthAboutCars, Justin Berkowitz estimated that the value of muscle cars will drop about 60 percent. He noted that over the past decade the prices for muscle cars had hit all-time highs amid “nostalgic shoppers, laying out significant--but not exorbitant--sums for the dream cars of their youths.” As the market continues to adjust, a buyer or seller should consult multiple resources for accurate values. Previous auction sale prices, such as those seen at Barrett-Jackson, may no longer be used as benchmarks for the market value of a classic muscle car.
Pricing Guides
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A number of companies publish printed annual price guides for classic and antique cars. National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Guides and Hemmings continue to offer free online resources to research classic muscle car values. Both websites require you to enter your zip code to ensure that you receive accurate pricing based on your region. Sports Car Market Magazine features a free online resource that will also provide information regarding the expected appreciation and investment rating of a particular vehicle.
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Muscle Car Research
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It's critical to know what you're looking for when inspecting a classic muscle car. Learn how to determine whether you are dealing with the real thing, a clone, resto-mod (restored with modifications) or an outright fake. Yes, there could be fraud, and many times sellers won't even realize it. Fully inspect all vehicle identification numbers on the dash, engine, fenders, door or other locations. Compare the VIN to information from resources such as OldRide to decipher specifics regarding the type of engine, transmission and other critical information. OldRide provides in-depth details regarding the options on original muscle cars.
Listings
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Study asking prices for your preferred classic muscle car online. These may or may not reflect actual market values. Evaluate the range of prices as compared to the condition and features of other cars of a particular make and model. Online resources to use include: AutoTrader Classics, ClassicCars, OldRide and Hemmings.
Comparable Sale Prices
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Comparable sales are the best tools for establishing the current market value of classic muscle cars. Unfortunately, because most sales are private, information is difficult to obtain unless an appraiser is used. For cars listed and sold online, very few listings will note the final sale price.
Professional Consultants
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Appraisers provide a number of services including pre-purchase inspections. For helpful information specific to a particular muscle car or for general knowledge, ClassicMuscleCars offers services through its Buyers Guide. A team of researchers will answer as many as five questions for $25 that might help you determine if the particular classic muscle car is genuine and if the asking price is fair.
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