What's Up with the Muscle Car Market?

[Ed]

What’s your impression of the muscle car market right now?
Has the high dollar Auctions driven the prices up to create a “false market”
I was at Autorama in Houston and it seemed like the Auction was not well attended.
My gut feeling tells me that the market is soft right now and the prices are unrellistic.

So what’s your thoughts???

[FFR428]

I think it has and we're seeing a downward slump. After BJ's last year many could see the decline. Sure there were some big $$ sales. But more average cars were going for far less that it took to restore them. Lots of unhappy sellers that got sucked into the frenzy. I also think Speed channel bringing these live auctions into the homes of millions has helped set the pace as well. Guys are seeing what their old cars would bring nicely restored. It's been quite a ride. This year should be interesting to see what everything goes for.

[Gil]

I think B-J and other auction houses have definately created a false market. The restro-mod craze hasn't help much. I can't believe what people are asking (and getting) for rust bucket 1967-68 fastback Mustang shells. Seem everyone wants to build their own Eleanor these days. Same goes for any descent Mopar, Chevelle or Camaro out there. The current owners see the prices on B-J and think their sitting on a gold mine. I think the market is cooling off a bit right now, but I don't think we're going to see a big fall off anytime soon. Personally, I think its a shame because its pricing a lot of guys out of the hobby and the ones that usually get pinched first are the guys who would actually work on and drive the cars themselves. Far too much classic American muscle sitting in garages across the country never seeing any time on the street.

[Ed]

Ya what you guys are saying I think reflects whats going on.

[sl1993r]

It has cooled off. With the mortgage crisis, the average guys are not dipping into the equity to buy that muscle car. Sure there are the top end cars getting lots of money, but those middle cars are dropping fast. Another trend could also be the upcoming muscle that are pending. The new Camaro, Challenger, and all those Shelby Mustang's are taking away potential old car buyers... just my thoughts...

[4re308]

There is no question that the car auctions offer a false sense of value in muscle car owners. However, one thing I noticed: the well done Yenko and COPO replicas as well as ALL the fake Hemi Cudas are bringing big money now. I don't understand it, its like wearing a fake Rolex watch.

It is good to see the Fords getting the respect they deserve.