classic car values Archives

What Is My Collector Car Worth? Cars On Line’s Market Trends Report

What Is My Collector Car Worth?

Although most auction houses or classic car dealers don’t want you to know about this, the trendline for collector car prices has been pretty flat in recent years. “So what is my collector car worth?” you may ask. Overall collector car values have risen by three percent this past year so far. While the market is not on fire, there is a steady upward growth pattern overall for the collector car market today. In the past three months classic Fords from the ’50s and Ford muscle cars are rebounding to levels not seen since the 2008 recession. Mopar muscle cars also remain strong and have the greatest potential to rise in the near future. Watch 1970 and 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cudas and 1970 Dodge Hemi Challengers which are poised to go up in value in the near future.

Cars On Line.com keeps records on the average selling prices at major collector car auctions. Add to that a deep well of information on what cars are actually selling for from trusted value guides and their own internal sales, Cars On Line.com is the most accurate source for classic car values in the U.S.

Here is the information Cars On Line.com has compiled on collector car values over the last three months of actual sales.

Year, Make Model	Condition	2008	2014	2015
FORD
1928 Ford Model A Roadster	No. 2	$23,100	$18,000	$19,200
1955 Ford F100	No. 2	$23,100	$23,583	$27,750
1956 Ford Crown Victoria	No. 2	$33,500	$34,150	$36,225
1956 Ford Sunliner	No. 2	$49,800	$51,913	$59,600
1957 Ford Retractable	No. 2	$53,700	$48,749	$48,600
1957 Ford Thunderbird	No. 2	$55,500	$49,914	$53,475
1965 Mustang Convertible	No. 2	$33,800	$34,790	$32,160
1966 Shelby GT350	No. 2	$164,100	$166,958	$166,000
1967 Shelby GT500	No. 2	$191,000	$145,000	$163,000
1967 Mustang GT Fastback (S CODE)	No. 2	$26,500	$50,525	$59,700
1969 Mach 1 Mustang (M CODE)	No. 2	$37,400	$40,037	$46,424
1969 Mach 1 428 CJ (R CODE)	No. 2	$81,000	$58,239	$70,100
1969 Boss 429 Mustang	No. 2	$269,500	$221,000	$280,000
1970 Boss 302 Mustang	No. 2	$85,000	$70,432	$67,342
1970 Ford Torino 429 CJ	No. 2	$45,900	$35,838	$29,850

CHEVROLET
1954 Corvette	No. 2	$111,600	$75,860	$75,350
1955 Bel Air Hardtop	No. 2	$32,200	$44,408	$39,125
1955 Bel Air Convertible	No. 2	$64,750	$63,466	$55,938
1956 Nomad	No. 2	$77,000	$53,906	$51,050
1957 Bel Air Hardtop	No. 2	$62,700	$45,344	$45,450
1957 Bel Air Convertible	No. 2	$94,500	$85,511	$71,977
1957 Cameo Pickup	No. 2	$26,250	$44,263	$39,500
1958 Chevy Impala Convt (348 Tripower)	No. 2	$99,000	$78,492	$84,263
1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe	No. 2	$71,400	$77,935	$83,142
1963 Impala SS 409 Convertible	No. 2	$55,100	$51,833	$64,300
1967 Chevelle SS 396	No. 2	$54,400	$40,230	$49,350
1967 Camaro Convertible	No. 2	$28,700	$36,400	$37,500
1967 Corvette 427/435 Convertible	No. 2	$154,500	$167,121	$155,100
1969 Camaro Z/28	No. 2	$81,675	$68,750	$76,750
1969 Camaro Pace Car	No. 2	$67,000	$65,900	$65,625
1970 Chevelle SS 396	No. 2	$55,825	$53,438	$48,800
1970 Chevelle LS6 454	No. 2	$98,580	$105,167	$99,880

EDSELS
1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible	No. 2	$29,400	$39,550	$57,733

AMERICAN MOTORS
1968 AMC AMX Go Pack	No. 2	$16,800	$24,150	$32,150
1960 Metropolitan Convertible	No. 2	$9,450	$16,590	$17,525

MOPARS
1957 Chrysler 300 Hardtop	No. 2	$60,900	$52,100	$56,000
1957 Desoto Adventurer Convertible	No. 2	$170,000	$275,000	$246,000
1957 Dodge Sweptside Pickup	No. 2	$15,400	$26,250	$39,067
1957 Dodge Royal Lancer	No. 2	$24,500	$28,000	$24,300
1967 Dodge Coronet Hardtop	No. 2	$22,400	$30,108	$26,550
1969 Dodge Charger R/T	No. 2	$73,500	$49,313	$52,800
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T	No. 2	$118,500	$86,260	$64,750
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A	No. 2	$89,600	$68,288	$74,800
1970 Dodge Super Bee	No. 2	$54,000	$51,900	$64,650

1967 Plymouth GTX	No. 2	$51,500	$38,542	$47,850
1970 Plymouth Cuda AAR	No. 2	$99,900	$76,713	$90,375
1970 Plymouth SUPERBIRD	No. 2	$156,000	$132,975	$136,625
1970 HEMI Cuda	No. 2	$261,400	$206,500	$257,000
1970 Barracuda 340 Convertible	No. 2	$49,000	$60,875	$42,175
1970 Plymouth Road Runner	No. 2	$80,300	$39,190	$44,950

CADILLAC
1957 CADILLAC S62 CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$54,950	$66,656	$67,167
1959 CADILLAC S62 HARDTOP	No. 2	$21,000	$39,700	$37,150
1976 CADILLAC ELDORADO CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$16,800	$30,113	$33,647

PACKARD
1937 PACKARD V-12 VICTORIA CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$103,600	$265,000	$150,000
1953 PACKARD CARIBBEAN CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$42,000	$67,900	$85,950

PONTIAC
1957 PONTIAC CHIEFTAIN HT	No. 2	$18,900	$25,550	$29,800
1965 PONTIAC GTO (389 TRIPOWER)	No. 2	$35,000	$59,906	$56,630
1967 PONTIAC GTO CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$42,700	$51,223	$61,733
1968 FIREBIRD CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$19,600	$28,725	$35,633
1970 PONTIAC GTO JUDGE	No. 2	$56,700	$68,730	$75,274
1973 TRANS AM SUPER DUTY	No. 2	$45,000	$105,583	$117,000
1977 BANDIT TRANS AM	No. 2	$18,000	$49,500	$39,450

BUICK
1954 SKYLARK CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$72,450	$125,333	$131,188
1957 ROADMASTER CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$32,900	$69,225	$95,600
1970 BUICK GS STAGE 1 CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$89,000	$112,000	$125,000

OLDSMOBILE
1957 OLDSMOBILE STARFIRE CONVERTIBLE	No. 2	$62,500	$80,538	$110,200
1970 OLDS 442 W30	No. 2	$57,800	$87,650	$73,550

AUSTIN-HEALEY
1967 AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 BJ8	No. 2	$35,000	$73,067	$57,600

JAGUAR
1967 JAGUAR XKE ROADSTER	No. 2	$64,050	$85,400	$119,000
1956 JAGUAR XK140 (MC) Roadster	No. 2	$130,900	$109,175	$109,250

STUDEBAKER
1957 STUDEBAKER GOLDEN HAWK	No. 2	$19,800	$40,767	$59,617
1950 STUDEBAKER CHAMPION	No. 2	$12,600	$16,100	$19,625
1953 STUDEBAKER REGAL	No. 2	$16,100	$17,500	$28,450
1963 STUDEBAKER AVANTI	No. 2	$19,600	$21,000	$31,888

HUDSUN
1946 HUDSON SUPER SIX PICKUP	No. 2	$17,500	$24,850	$21,000
1951 HUDSON HORNET 2-DR	No. 2	$18,200	$25,200	$28,400

Contrary to what some in the media would have you believe, the collector car market is inextricably attached to the U.S. econonmy. The weakness in the collector car market in the last couple of years is directly related to how the economy has been flatlining. With the U.S. economy stuck at two percent growth, the collector car market is stuck at about the same level.

2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction

A beautiful 1957 Desoto Adventurer Convertible crossed the block as the final car in the Salon Collection on Saturday. It was Lot # 5103. Only 300 of these cars were ever produced by Desoto. They are very desirable. It SOLD for $198,000

Prices Rise at 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction …

There was a marked difference in the attitude for buyers here at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona this year. Not only were there more buyers here, but they were spending some serious money, raising expectations that collector car values might rise this year after three years of little or no growth.

Some of our observations of the day: we think Pontiac muscle cars are getting more respect from collectors. Look at some of the results of the auction noted below and you will see prices on Pontiac GTOs and Trans Ams inching up. Special edition Corvettes were selling well here also. We were surprised by some of the prices on Split Windows this week. This is a venue where early first generation Thunderbirds get a lot of respect and the money was here for them again on Saturday.

To compare the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction prices to average values at the end of 2014 read the Cars On Line.com Market Trends Report for 2014 by clicking this link. You’ll see that some of the cars sold here at the Barrett-Jackson sale are a marked increase over what the general market was seeing during 2014.

Muscle car enthusiasts were waiting to see what Hemi Cudas will bring here in Prime Time at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction. This 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda is from the Ron Pratte Collection. SOLD for $440,000 with buyer’s commission included. Average values on Hemi Cuda hardtops in 2014 were around $206,000. But this one as very special.

1970 Chevelle SS LS6 Convertible — You’ve seen 1970 Chevelle LS6’s before, but this one is very rare. It is a 1970 Chevelle LS6 Convertible. Only a handful were produced, all the rest being hardtops. It was for sale during the Salon Collection sale on Saturday. SOLD for $165,000.

This 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible sold for $165,000, although the average value on Judge convertibles was around $100,000. Average pricing on GTO convertibles for 2014 was just over $68,000. These Barrett-Jackson prices would seem to auger well for these cars in 2015. Photo by Bob Boberg of eClassic Autos.com.

Here are some of the star cars from Prime Time Saturday at the Barrett-Jackson Auction:

Carroll Shelby’s own 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake specially built for him is CSX3015. Because it was Shelby’s own car it may be the most valuable real Shelby Cobra ever built. Many think this will be the big sale here in Scottsdale today. From the Ron Pratte Collection. Although they initially said the car was not sold, later a price was negotiated with a buyer. SOLD for $5,115,000 with buyer’s commission included.

1950 GM Futurliner — Saturday at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction they sold a 1950 General Motors Futurliner from the GM Parade of Progress Tour. Back in the day they toured the U.S. with these giant display vehicles to show people the “future.” Mr Pratte gave the Futurliner to the Armed Forces Foundation which cares for soldiers with PTSD and other service related problems. All proceeds from the auction went to the AFF. From the Ron Pratte Collection. SOLD for $4 million.

1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake — Ron Pratte bought this 1954 Pontiac Bonneville Motorama Concept Car at the Barrett-Jackson some years back. It was purchased for over $2 million at that time. Today it will once again be for sale here at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction. From the Ron Pratte Collection. SOLD for $3 million.

Two Lane Blacktop 1955 Chevy Street Racer — The 1955 Chevy Street Racer from the iconic cult movie, Two Lane Blacktop, driven in the movie by James Taylor and Beach Boys Dennis Wilson. Sale will be Lot # 7003 in Prime Time. SOLD for $159,500 including the buyer’s commission.

Here are more cars from the Ron Pratte Collection for Saturday.

Lot #2515	1936 Delahaye “WhattheHaye” Boyd Coddington	$671,000
Lot # 2517	1938 Lincoln Zephyr V12 Coupe	$423,500
Lot # 2520	1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird	$330,000
Lot # 2522	1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda	$379,500
Lot # 2529	1969 Baldwin-Motion Camaro LS7 454	$242,000

1969 Camaro Indy Pace Car Convertible at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction — Not only is this a 1969 Camaro RS/SS Indy Pace Car Convertible, but it is one that came with the big block 396 ci engine just like the actual cars used to pace the 1969 Indianapolis 500 race. These are very rare. We asked our Facebook readers what it would bring at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction. SOLD for $110,000.

1955-packard-carribean — Watch for the 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible, Lot # 1275.1, was it crosses the black here at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction. Rare matching numbers dual-quad 352cid. Only 500 of these cars were ever produced. SOLD for $110,000.

Lot #1251	1969 Pontiac GTO Ram Air IV	$44,000
Lot # 1253	1953 Buick Skylark Convertible	$85,800
Lot # 1258	1968 Corvette L89 425/435 4-spd	$61,600
Lot # 1266	1968 Shelby GT500 KR Fastback	$99,000
Lot # 1269	1969 Pontiac Trans Am	$132,000
Lot # 1273	1961 Corvette Fuelie	$110,000
Lot # 1276	1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 Convertible	$93,500
Lot # 1277	1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455	$126,500
Lot # 1278	1969 Pontiac Trans Am	$124,300
Lot # 1280	1964 Volkswagen 21-Window Bus	$126,500
Lot # 1291	1957 Corvette Fuelie	$106,700
Lot # 5000	1963 Corvette Split Window Fuelie	$214,500

2016 Shelby GT350R — Jim Owens of Ford Motor Company was interviewed by Bob Boberg of eClassic Autos.com about the 2016 Shelby Cobra GT350R which will be sold this afternoon at the Barrett-Jackson Auction. The one you see pictured here is the one that crossed the auction block and is a prototype promo car. The first car hasn’t been produced yet. The auction buyer purchased the first car to be serial numbered for public sale. The proceeds will be given in whole to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. SOLD for $1,000,000.

We saw a couple of 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Fastbacks sell Friday in six figures. But here is a 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Convertible. This one should be in the $200,000 range. Let’s watch it this afternoon as it crosses the auction block here at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction. SOLD for $198,000.

Lot #5012	1968 Plymouth Road Runner	$99,000
Lot # 5014	1970 Plymouth Superbird	$132,000
Lot # 5015	1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger	$115,500
Lot # 5016	1971 Corvette LS6 Roadster	$203,500
Lot # 5024	1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda	$176,000
Lot # 5049	1969 Corvette L88	$495,000
Lot # 5050	1969 Corvette L89 Convertible	$220,000
Lot # 5053	1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convt	$156,200
Lot # 5053.1	1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convt	$137,500
Lot # 5059	1969 Pontiac Trans Am Prototype	$313,500
Lot # 5062	1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Convt	$181,500
Lot # 5065	1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird	$324,500

Here’s a car that caused a stir a few years ago when it was sold here at the Barrett-Jackson for the first time. Once again collectors had a chance to see the 2007 Blastolene B-702 Roadster, a tribute to grand touring sports cars and a thing of wonder to behold. From the Ron Pratte Collection. SOLD for $550,000.

1969 Boss 429 Mustang — A 1969 Mustang Boss 429 was in the Saturday sale. This one also comes from the Ron Pratte Collection. SOLD for $550,000.

1933 Packard 1005 V112 Convertible Sedan — A 1933 Packard 1005 V12 Convertible Sedan, much like the one that won the Pebble Beach Concours in 2013, was offered during the Saturday Salon Collection sale at the Barrett-Jackson Auction. It SOLD for $302,500 including buyer’s commission.

1957 Chevy Chezoom by Boyd Coddington — Ron Pratte had in his collection many of Boyd Coddington’s great legendary customs. This is Boyd’s 1957 Chevy Bel Air he called the Chezoom. It was sold Saturday at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction. SOLD for $352,000 including buyer’s commission.

We invite our readers to follow our coverage of the auction on our Facebook page and on Twitter. We usually have a lively discussion on pricing with our readers each evening as the prime time cars go through the auction. You can watch the auction on TV at home while we see them going through on the auction stage. Our readers usually try to guess the prices before each car goes through. We hope you’ll join us this year and participate in the discussion.

Here is a TV schedule of how the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction will be televised for the rest of the weekend.
U.S. Broadcast Schedule (All Times ET):

Saturday, January 17
4:00 – 8:00 PM on Discovery Channel
8:00 PM – Midnight on Velocity
8:00 – 10 PM on Discovery en Español

Sunday, January 18
2:00 – 7:00 PM on Velocity

You’ll be able to watch it Friday on Velocity Channel. Our Canadian readers will note that the auction will air live internationally on Discovery Channel and Discovery World in Canada, and on Discovery Channel and Discovery Turbo in Latin America throughout the week. In addition, the Spanish language broadcast will be available to U.S. viewers on Discovery en Español on Saturday, January 17 from 8-10 PM ET.

Record Breaking Tuesday Ron Pratte Collection …

"Christine" 1958 Plymouth Fury — The movie car “Christine” a 1958 Plymouth Fury 2-Dr Hardtop restored from remaining cars and parts from the Stephen King movie. Sold Tuesday at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona for $198,000. (Photo by Bob Boberg of eClassic Autos.com.)

The Stephen King movie car “Christine”, a 1958 Plymouth Fury Hardtop, starred in the creepy 1983 movie of the same name. One of the surviving movie cars sold here at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction on Tuesday in a spectacular show. Click here to review Cars On Line’s coverage of the event.

The list of great collector cars sold at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction seemed endless here on Friday evening. There were a good number of 1969 Camaro Z/28s in the sale, most of them to be sold in prime time. Among the top cars sold were: the first 2015 Corvette Z06 to be sold retail (brought $800,000 in the Friday sale); a 1939 Cadillac La Salle C-Hawk Custom, Lot # 3005, sold for $410,000 in a charity sale to benefit PGA Tour Charities; Jeff Gordon’s 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo Busch Series race car, Lot # 3007 sold for $500,000 to raise money for Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.

The highlight of the Friday Sale at 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale was the sale of the first 2015 Corvette Z06. Collectors highly regard early serial number cars. This one went for $800,000.

The Friday sale here at the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction was a standout performance. The list of great quality collector cars seemed like it was limitless. Click here to view all the top sales recorded by Cars On Line during the Friday sale.

The reason we are here in Scottsdale this week is to take the temperature of the current collector car market. We believe that the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale has the power to set the stage for an upward trend in collector car prices. Whatever happens here in Scottsdale this week may set the tone for an upward trend in collector car sales for the rest of the year.

The 44th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction is one of America’s great events. The history, the spectacle, the fervor for classic American steel is intoxicating as the staccato of the auctioneers voice pounds out a cadence that delights the crowd. Every three to five minutes history is made. What we will be watching for are quantifiable numbers which will tell us if collector car prices will go up this year. If average prices on collector cars increase here at the Barrett-Jackson it will most likely happen all across America by this spring.