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How Will The Classic and Collector Car Hobby Differ In 10 Years?

125 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2011 at 12:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 9 of 13

#76 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [Mr_Shiftright] by hudsonthedog

Dec 22, 2007 (4:10 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 22, 2007 2:59 pm)
I was avoiding the "top tier" collectibles like the F50, Enzo, McLaren F1, XJ220, and the like. And I don't know of any mainstream vehicles from this era that could reach the same arena as the old Hemis or other such rare-Big3 models.

#77 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [hudsonthedog] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 22, 2007 (4:38 pm)

Replying to: hudsonthedog (Dec 22, 2007 4:10 pm)
I was trying to project that very thing into the future myself and I couldn't come up with any vehicle.
 
I think the hobby will break down into:
 
1. Top tier extremely expensive collector cars (most of which we know already)
 
2. second-tier cars that might be restored for love, not money (as we discussed above)
 
3. Curiosities, such as one-offs, race cars (unrace-able race cars, probably)
 
4. Survivors -- ordinary cars in a pristine original state (grandpa's 2007 Buick)
 
5. Cheap and cheerful old beaters (the Dodge Darts of tomorrow? A 40 year old Corolla?)

#78 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [Mr_Shiftright] by andre1969

Dec 22, 2007 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 22, 2007 4:38 pm)
In that type of category, what would something like my '57 DeSoto or '67 Catalina convertible fall into? Second tier?
 
I would say some Dodge Darts, like the convertibles, GTS, and Swinger 340, would be something more than just a "cheap and cheerful old beater". And a '68 Hemi Dart would be top tier, I'm sure. But something like an old slant-six Dart 4-door will probably be little more than an old used car, no matter how nice.

#79 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [andre1969] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 22, 2007 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Dec 22, 2007 5:47 pm)
yeah, they are 2nd tier collectibles at best.
 
The modern day "Dodge Dart" wouldn't have any derivatives like a 340 or a Hemi---modern cars are pretty much all the same, so in the future there will be less variety upon which to base differences I think.

#80 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [Mr_Shiftright] by saabgirl

Dec 22, 2007 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 22, 2007 4:38 pm)
An interesting theme I've noticed in car mags that seems pertinent to this thread is the preservation vs. restoration debate. If you watch the auctions, some cars are described as restored to a "better than new" condition while others are criticized for minor flaws in chrome or paint. To me there's something sterile about the "better than new" standard. In contrast, the preservationists follow a "get it running" tactic and are willing to accept with enthusiasm, not just a bit of patina, but rust and other inescapable signs of honest aging. I think Automobile mag ran an article on the topic and, in the January issue, page 123, has a photo of a 1911 Oldsmobile in fairly atrocious shape that sold for $1,650,000 at Hershey and the buyer "plans to get the car running and fit new tires." I think I'm with the preservationists in the debate, but I have to confess that I was startled at this example of preservationism in practice. I mean if you were to write a one-word caption for the pic of this old Olds (perfect brand) it would be "entropy."

#81 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [hudsonthedog] by qbrozen

Dec 22, 2007 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: hudsonthedog (Dec 22, 2007 4:10 pm)
Problem is, we can't predict what will happen in car manufacturing. Muclecars, by and large, became collectible because, thanks gas and emissions issues of the '70s and '80s, they were forced from mainstream for a long time. Many fell into disrepair during this time; written off as gas-guzzling monstrosities by the general public. At least, this is my perception.
 
It really is relatively recently that manufacturers have gotten back to producing these high-powered variants. Now, what would happen if fuel becomes $6-$7/gallon and the new CAFE scare forces all the manufacturers to return to fuel-sipping econocars? Then we go through 15 years of 300Cs, Mustang GTs, and G8s falling through the cracks, winding up in the crusher, and being thrashed by Junior in the high school parking lot? We could very well see a repeat of history and things we never thought would be collectible suddenly are.
 
The short of it is anything is possible.
 
All that being said, I agree with the aforementioned RX7 TT, and would add in the Supra, as well. Seems to me the latter already is a collectible, based on prices and demand I've seen.

#82 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [saabgirl] by fintail

Dec 22, 2007 (9:40 pm)

Replying to: saabgirl (Dec 22, 2007 8:26 pm)
That's a very good sidenote. I think preservation will become much more common as time goes on, both as it is financially easier to maintain an original car than to do an all-out restoration, and because more people are becoming aware that a car is only original once, and there's something special to that. There's something about old paint and old upholstery that just doesn't seem to be repeatable.

#83 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [saabgirl] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 23, 2007 (9:42 am)

Replying to: saabgirl (Dec 22, 2007 8:26 pm)
That Olds sale was pretty shocking--- I mean, it's true that there are only 3 of these cars left in the world, and it's true that this one was completely original, but still---it's only a 1911 Oldsmobile. Bizarre result. I'd love to know the story behind the bidder, etc. and what plans he has. I mean, even in a museum that's a whole lotta admission tickets.
 
Why wouldn't a completely original stage coach bring this much? I bet a Roman chariot could barely bring this price. That's a LOT of money.

#84 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [saabgirl][Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque

Dec 23, 2007 (10:00 am)

Hey, the market for Roman chariots is red hot right now, especially the ones with gas-electric hybrid powerplant conversions. Less reliable than the horse drawn ones, but also less polluting.

#85 of 125 Re: The Future of the Hobby [saabgirl][Mr_Shiftright] [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 23, 2007 (10:07 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 23, 2007 10:00 am)
Oh man, I remember when I was a little kid growing up in Rome you couldn't GIVE those things away. Had I only known!
 
Hey, here's a book y'all might like:
 
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Messages Page 9 of 13

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