Have you realized… ?

[Nacho-RT74]

Have you realized while we were working on our Classic Chargers (60s and 70s) along these late 15-20 years, now more cars are into the classic car world range?

What cars from 80s and even 90s you think will be classified as a "valuable" classics like our Chargers (and others from several brands) already were 20 years ago?

True is also our cars become more desirable and got attention and help after the F&F film storm

[armor64]

its really weird to think about how different the next generation of vehicles became. MY first foray into Classics was my 78 GMC Heavy Half, that i got 15 years ago now. at the time it was 31 years old already. if someone did the same age gap today, it would be a mid 90's truck, and i don't feel as though the 88-98 OBS trucks are "classic" since they are so modern compared to the square-body years. and in that 90's era there are alot less iconic or worthy designs to keep around it seems.

[70 sublime]

I have been looking around for a cheap summer toy because I am pretty sure my 70 Charger will not be road worthy this year
So I have been looking for something a little different that might be neat and fun that I have never had before
So some of the newer stuff that is now getting older to be classic have been on my radar
Have been following a few of the mid 80's Firebirds and even a Fiero because they were new when I was at university
The listing for them do not last very long when they are in around the $10 000 range for a nice car
I had 85 86 Daytonas the first time around when they were current cars and have not come across many of them posted in good shape
Keeping an eye out for a 56 chev also because that was one that got away on me back in the 80's but it is already old 

[Wingnut426]

There has always been a "cult" following for station wagons. My 89 and 91 Country Squires are going upwards of $15K and up. I keep getting letters from my collector insurance company to "up" the values. WINGNUT

[426HemiChick]

Hi Folks,               05 April 2024

In the process of restoring our original 2000 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor. It's undergoing mechanical restoration at the moment. Then it'l have the body stripped and painted. Not a lick of rust anywhere. Once the body is done it'll receive a new 100% leather interior. Once it's done we'll sell our 09 Hemi Ram Laramie 1500. We have a shop Ford PU that is used very seldom so we can use it when we have need of a truck.

Our Interceptor will be eligible for a Classic Plate (or one of the other plates) in 2025. Hard for me to reconcile the time that has flown by since we started driving. We began by "borrowing" cars at 14, 70 years ago. Always returning them with a whole lot less fuel than when we took them.

We still have our 68 RR, 69 SB and 87 Stang Police car with 3.1 mi on the clock; the Stang will be next in the resto shop for cleanup after 37 years of sitting around.

Don't know what's going to happen down the the road. Sure not interested in EVs. Time will tell.

Best Always
426 HCs

[John_Kunkel]

Since they discontinued the LX platform cars this year, I suspect some will be considered "classics" in the near future.

[timmycharger]

My son is driving my Dad's original 2000 Chrysler 300m he had since new. It was garaged mostly in FL so the body is really nice. It is up to 235k miles now and still runs and drives well .

Hard to believe that next year it will be 25yrs old.  Still gets lots of looks from people which I am used to in my 68 but was surprised when I was in it last week with my son.

[Nacho-RT74]

Well, I think a Classic plate wouldn't make it a valuable classic.

Personally I'm driving here in Spain a 98 Diesel Range Rover (MKII or P38 as really known) . As far I know it can be "plated" as an historical car, but... really valuable as a Classic? Maybe not like the older version still made by 98 known as Classic Range Rover while sharing the P38 years production. But the "Classic" Range Rover long lasted almost 30 years with same design and just comfort upgrades. Maybe this one will be considered as a Classic car still on their last years.

I think the Ford Sierra (or Merkur depending on market) could be considered as Classic, since it was a very innovative car by those days.

Now, how many of these I mentioned or whichever car you can mention could be really saved and restored based on parts stock or repro market? Later the year production was, the less quality and surviving rate is.

[John_Kunkel]

Like many terms in the automotive world, the definition of what's a "classic" isn't agreed upon.

The dictionary says:

classic

1) Belonging to the highest rank or class.

2) Serving as the established model or standard.

3) Having lasting significance or worth; enduring.

Using that definition, a lot of cars are "classic" right off the showroom floor. I prefer the term "collector car" which has no age criterion.

[Old Moparz]

From the 80's I liked the Lincoln Mark VII LSC. Not neck snapping performance but they were nice & had the 5.0 V8 in them.

[LaOtto70Charger]

Interesting looking car. That thumbnail is Interesting. Click on it and goes full width, and available for download with a separate click. Cool.

[Aero426]

I now know how the Model A and antique car people must have felt when newer cars became collectible in the 1970's.   There are a LOT of modern-ish cars I have zero interest in that are suddenly worth some money.   

[Old Moparz]

I now know how the Model A and antique car people must have felt when newer cars became collectible in the 1970's.   There are a LOT of modern-ish cars I have zero interest in that are suddenly worth some money. 
 

That's how I felt about the VW Beetles & other models. I don't hate them but I don't want to own one & cannot believe what some of them are priced at, especially the bus with all the small windows. 

[Mike DC]

         
IMO the stuff that becomes the most "classic" is the stuff that peaked (or at least excelled) at something. 


1960s/70s muscle cars were the peak cars for teenage testosterone and drag racing. 

1990s Toyotas & Hondas were peak reliable transpo with decent comfort/features. 

1970s-1980s pickups were peak for trucks that worked hard without modern drawbacks.

1980s exotic sports cars were peak for looking like a Miami coke dealer.

Etc. 

[RallyeMike]

80-90's cars that will become valuable classics like out Chargers? Very, very few. Maybe some of the exotics and and special low production domestics. Probably some of the ricer crowd cars that I'm not up to speed on....  and that's about all. 

Any newish cars with multiple computers, hundreds of pounds of wiring and sensors, digital clusters, touch screens, etc. will not become classics in the sense a 60-70's Charger is today. There will be a few low mile examples that will remain, but most will be too hard for hobbyists to maintain after the
 manufacturers stop supporting them and interest will wane.

[b5blue]

I agree, just as the value depends on the "feelings" of the buyer. My 70 Charger was made when I was 15 and when I bought it I was 40. While rough after years of drag racing enough was there to put it in service. Many cars are not really serviceable long term without parts. Parts that fail tend to fail for all of the same type so used parts are all failed for repair use. (Our Chargers are rather simple still.) 

[426HemiChick]

09 May 2024

To us, it's a matter of what one likes and wants. The newer stuff with all the modern electronics are good for as long as those electronics have replacements available. Once that dries up, the car becomes a host for scavenging usable parts. Our 2000 Ford interceptor is a good example, still scrounging new parts. This is getting expensive. We want the car so we are willing to fork over what it takes. Like everything, there is a limit, just haven't reached it yet.

Best Always
426 HC's

[426HemiChick]

Hi Folks,            17 May 2024

Received some good news today, Vic, our Police Interceptor passed emissions, has a two year tag for her license. She won't need to be inspected again until May 2026.

We will head up to Chapman Ford, pick her up, drive her home for a short visit. We'll load her up with the parts for the last phase of her mechanical restoration. We have enough new parts to rebuild her front end at least three times. We are thinking of buying another Ford Police Interceptor and having it restored. I personally love these cars as they are roomy, solid on the highway, comfortable and are fast. Our Vic has been to 140 several times during chases.

Those chases were fun until I started noticing I had to air the tires everyday. Took the car back to NTB and had them tank them. All were leaking air through the tread. Tiny little bubbles all along the tread. Dismounted one tire and the inside of the tire was falling apart. All four exhibited the same problem. I paid $1K for each tire. I think they were Pirelli. Didn't make me happy, trashed them, put on a set of Michelin's and stopped chasing. The chase thing was one nut being chased by an even bigger one.

After seeing the inside of the tires, the enormity of my chasing hit me pretty hard. The damage I could have inflicted upon innocent persons was a wakeup call. If one is going to do stupid things, they should be done where no one other than the stupid actor is affected. Difficult to do so just don't do them.

Will keep you posted on the rest of her mechanical restoration.

Best Always
426 HC's

[426HemiChick]

Picked the Ford up today. Is running better than she did when new. It was nice driving her with her new round tires. The square weenies were a real bear. She was jumping all over the road.

Next will be rebuilding the front end. The ball joints are a wreck causing her to "Road Walk." Next week we are taking her back so the remaining items can be repaired. She needs A/C work, Front End rebuild, and last but not least, a 2:73 rear gear to replace the 3:08 she came with.

Once all the Mechanicals have been completed she will be off to the body/resto shop for a minor ding repair and complete repaint. Last but not least will be a new leather interior.

Best Always
426 HC's

[HANDM]

I personally like driving my pos 91 Honda Prelude 4WS. The younger kids really like it and it's way more fun to drive than the charger or challenger ever were. Plus it pretty much infinitely repairable unlike my wife's 18 challenger T/A which will be obsolete in short order especially if the electronics start to go. On the plus side a 440 and 833 could be bashed in the challenger so there's that

[426HemiChick]

I personally like driving my pos 91 Honda Prelude 4WS. The younger kids really like it and it's way more fun to drive than the charger or challenger ever were. Plus it pretty much infinitely repairable unlike my wife's 18 challenger T/A which will be obsolete in short order especially if the electronics start to go. On the plus side a 440 and 833 could be bashed in the challenger so there's that

Hi Frank,            19 May 2024
Forgot to mention the dealer took our Interceptor to the Smog shop for testing; she passed with flying colors. She now has an AZ title and an Arizona Navy Vet plate with the Hull number of the ship I spent the most time on. The new plate reads:  TAGS23

Miss the old gal, spent 5.5 years aboard her. She was declared "Unfit For Sea Duty" in 1975, three years after I left and then disposed of (meaning Scrapped) in 1977. Lots of fond memories.

Best Always
426 HC's

[Kern Dog]

I'll bet everyone is elated to learn about your Ford.









 

[hemigeno]

I'll bet everyone is elated to learn about your Ford.
 

 

There's no requirement to be Charger- or even Mopar-related in this section of the forum. 

[Kern Dog]

Yeah, Okay.
It is Car GUYS discussion and we are ALL men here.
EVERY one.
There was one woman awhile back, a Latina if I recall correctly. She posted a bit about her Charger she was putting back together. She posted a bit then just faded away.
Car girls are rare but certainly welcome. I'm impressed when a woman knows a lot about cars.
When a dude knows a lot about flowers and poetry, not so much!

[b5blue]

Dog really? You wonder why nobody is coming back here? YOU ARE THE REASON!!