USA Today article on Vintage SUV prices

[WheelHorse]

Because the other idiots with money, who never were into cars and don't know anything about them, are now paying big money for average condition cars with candy paint and a some bolt ons.

I touched on this topic without the strong label in this thread and was told that's just class envy bullcrap.

1%'s driving market up

I once ran across a 70 AAR Cuda (Hemi orange, flat black strip) broken down in the middle of an intersection, so I offered to help get it out of the intersection by pushing with the owner to get the car to safety. This thing was a full rotisserie resto, major wood! So beautiful I was affraid to touch even the bumper...darn heavy car though.

So, the owner pops the hood and starts talking about the stupid carburetor set up on this thing stinks. He didn't even refer to it as a six pack or tri-power. He was going to call his mechanic to bring his flat bed out and pick him and the car up. How it was stupid of him to bother taking it out and how it ruined his Saturday. I asked well let's pop the air cleaners top and see if she's getting fuel. He's got this disgusting look on his face like getting dirty was a mortal sin.

A man who owns a car, knows nothing of it other than it's stupid, but hey, the 100G+ he spent on it as an investment seems to have upset him.

I've run across a few of these cats in person, more money than they know what to do with so they find some place to invest. There's no love, no real interest as expressed directly to me, just something to hang onto for a few years and turn a 20-30+GP on their investment.

On the flip, I've met guys who have done very well monetarily, yet still know everything about their muscle cars. Those guys don't snub ya for asking questions as they love to talk about their rides; true enthusiasts.

 

[HELLFIRE]

I touched on this topic without the strong label in this thread and was told that's just class envy bullcrap.

1%'s driving market up

I once ran across a 70 AAR Cuda (Hemi orange, flat black strip) broken down in the middle of an intersection, so I offered to help get it out of the intersection by pushing with the owner to get the car to safety. This thing was a full rotisserie resto, major wood! So beautiful I was affraid to touch even the bumper...darn heavy car though.

So, the owner pops the hood and starts talking about the stupid carburetor set up on this thing stinks. He didn't even refer to it as a six pack or tri-power. He was going to call his mechanic to bring his flat bed out and pick him and the car up. How it was stupid of him to bother taking it out and how it ruined his Saturday. I asked well let's pop the air cleaners top and see if she's getting fuel. He's got this disgusting look on his face like getting dirty was a mortal sin.

A man who owns a car, knows nothing of it other than it's stupid, but hey, the 100G+ he spent on it as an investment seems to have upset him.

I've run across a few of these cats in person, more money than they know what to do with so they find some place to invest. There's no love, no real interest as expressed directly to me, just something to hang onto for a few years and turn a 20-30+GP on their investment.

On the flip, I've met guys who have done very well monetarily, yet still know everything about their muscle cars. Those guys don't snub ya for asking questions as they love to talk about their rides; true enthusiasts.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. And you are right. The true car guys will talk your head off about the car if they truly love the car/car lifestyle. And I will sit right there with them until we are both out of things to talk about.

I was at a car show looking at this GT500 "Eleanor". At first I was thinking, this guy just bought one of the clone cars and is showing it off. So I asked the guy. "Where did you have the body work done?" An hour later he had told me everything about the car. Brought me behind the barricade to show me how he hid his wiring and other tricks he did. I guess he could tell I was a true car guy and he for sure was. He was also one of the only ones I saw who sat by their cars and talked to people. Hell some of the cars had plaques saying "shown by" names. So the owners just send them all over the country with other people.

But for some eye candy here is the car:

 

[jim3326]

The only down side to this is people who have rusted out POS ones that aren't worth anything will now think they are worth $10,000.QUOTE]
Like this guy?
http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/cto/3697875852.html

750 CFM on a mild 302%)

Jim W.

 

[Mill KNOB]

Articles like this are GREAT for people that have Broncos or own one.

But are not good for people that are wanting to try and buy one. This is what makes the prices keep going up until the good ole boy will not be able to afford one. Then what do you got?

 

[Broncitis]

OK, so who on here would spend 88G on an FJ-40?

I would think some of the better off blokes might be able to drop 25-35 on a minty survivor or fully decked out Bronco, but I don't see most of us dropping 88G.

I know more than a few who have dropped that type of coin on their Bronco (some on here).

Granted, these are not the norm, but there are more and more each year being built to higher and higher levels.

Quality restoration and customization does not come cheap.

 

[76MaBronco]

I see thefts increasing if they keep climbing in value.

 

[Crude dude]

Not sure why but I read that craigslist article in the voice of Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite. I really like how the homey was wasted when he cut the rear fender out

 

[76Broncofromhell]

Broncos have always been a tad bit overpriced - it runs on a 10 year cycle. The amount of money to get one to run and drive half as good as a modern SUV is what eventually scares the yuppie enthusiast away.

For reference, I've only gotten two offers on my disassembled Bronco this year. I get far more on my V8-powered '85 Toyota although they usually start off with "Quiere Comprar?"

 

[Myllo73]

I look at it like my Star Wars and GI Joe collections, when people think they are worth a lot. I think it's worth whatever someone will pay. They have guidelines for condition, unlike vehicles. But it's the ones in the package that haven't been played with that are worth more. So for my Bronco, I over paid for it, but it needed rescued from the one who owned it. I know what I have in it, and I know what I have been offered. But why sell it when I want to own one and whatever I buy I'm still going to have to fix things and modify to what I want. I say that never being offered 88,000 for it, then I would reconsider my thoughts.

 

[WheelHorse]

I see thefts increasing if they keep climbing in value.

Man, there goes my cheap insurance LOL.

 

[WheelHorse]

Articles like this are GREAT for people that have Broncos or own one.

But are not good for people that are wanting to try and buy one. This is what makes the prices keep going up until the good ole boy will not be able to afford one. Then what do you got?

Good ole boys can still find some decent projects out there. Those over priced Santa Barb ones will sit for sale for ever.

The buy in for a decent one has gone up; there's no denying it, but they are still out there despite the article. Ebay does not reflect the average Bronco selling price, nor does BJ or Mecum.

IF you are a meticulous restorer, I'd be watching BJ and Mecum to figure out ROI, but I'm not a meticulous restorer, just an enthusiast that can do dang near all my own work.

The one thing I'm happy for is the popularity of EB's growing will keep our vendors doors open, and that certainly is helpful for those of us buying stuff for our rigs.

 

[patterdale]

The only down side to this is people who have rusted out POS ones that aren't worth anything will now think they are worth $10,000.QUOTE]
Like this guy?
http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/cto/3697875852.html

If that one is worth 9k the the one in my garage (Elmer) is worth at least 20k.

 

[MyOriginal66]

I'm so happy to know the $40K or so invested in my bronco will net me $25K if I sell%)

But the memories I'm creating and pride of ownership are PRICELESS

 

[joshnjulie1]

Thank God this article exists. I need to print it out for the wife and say "see, I told you this Bronco would be worth a fortune when we are done with it"

I almost have her convinced so I don't have to go through hell fire everytime I order a bunch of parts...

 

[WheelHorse]

I'm so happy to know the $40K or so invested in my bronco will net me $25K if I sell%)

But the memories I'm creating and pride of ownership are PRICELESS

So true!