Thinking about adding another bird to my collection. As with everything, you get what you pay for but I am surprised at some of the prices I see out there. I see basket case base models for 4-5k and wonder whether anyone is really paying that kind of money for a base car that needs a ton of work. I also see some high optioned nice cars listed for 30k. Are these cars finally getting some attention or am I simply seeing dream prices by hopeful owners. I have owned a 69 350 hardtop for many years. The car is a plain janer but has 29k miles, original paint and looks great except for some fading. The interior/carpet is absolutely like new. I would say there are very few left that are this original but I would not know how to price if I wanted to sell. I am definitely keeping and would like a 69 convertible...prefer 400. How much should I expect to pay for a nice car so that I could feel comfortable should I need to re-sell. I would appreciate any comments.

People who paid $30,000 a few years ago for nice restorations were comfortable that their investment would rise. Right now, if sold, they'd go at a loss. Never consider a classic car as a profit center. You can consider it as an investment, however, and you can insure it against loss unlike stocks.

Plain Jane 350 2bbl, nice or not, don't demand a lot simply because they aren't highly collectible as they are, and are no more or less valuable than a 6 cyl or non matching 400 car.

as in ANYTHING...ITS ONLY WORTH WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY OR WHAT THE SELLER IS WILLING TO LET IT GO FOR..SOME TOUGH TIMES OUT THERE IF YOU HAVE CASH YOU MIGHT STUMBLE ON A STEAL...

if you buy a classic car.....its cheaper to pay "alot" for a finished car than to buy a cheap one and fix up.......I didnt follow this advice myself ,.....as most people dont have all that $$ laying around in one lump, there for spen a little 'lump;' and then keep adding to it....in the end spending lots more

Barrett-Jackson (and the others) have practically priced the average garage restorer out of the muscle car market.

I think that the whole Barret Jackson etc. has led some people to ridiculous expectations. They see a car sell for 40k on the auction and figure that everything is worth a ton. There are so many variables that they do not understand. Also, there are many who think that the car sitting in the field for the last 15 years is worth a mint because it was originally a high optioned semi rare car. No question that big motor high option means more value. But you can't replace originality.

I read over at PY that there is a new auto-related reality show based on the exploits of a massive boneyard I know well to the north of Phoenix.

I have not actually seen the show, but the comments from the Pontiac crowd were very negative as it sounded like these guys are slapping lipstick on their junkyard "pigs" (racing against the clock as usual) and selling this shiny junk for big bucks at a Phoenix area auction.

Which of course does all of us no good by giving all the people out there with rusting hunks in their front yards the idea that they can slap a coat of wax on something and expect to retire from the sale.

It is actually kinda funny. They think if their paint job looks almost as good as the 50k Mecum car, they will get 40k. I admire the over-the-top restorations but appreciate more the originals. Anybody can write a big check but you can't buy back the real deal. My car might not be 'desirable" but there aren't many out there as untouched as my car. That said, I would love a 400 convertible to add to the garage. I have a stall just waiting...

Man what I wouldn't do for a little extra room in the garage. Like about 8 more stalls.

Gar69 you are right. 100% original cars are almost non existent today. Doesn't make them rare BUT definately makes it unique. Your car has it's own place in the collector aspect. More people wanting that ram air 400 car than stock is reason for price. If me I'd be proud to own a 100% original car but makes it hard to go have fun in it. I like driving my cars to much to buy something rare or 100% original.

It's called Desert Car Kings and it's on Discovery. It seems like everything Discovery gets their hands into eventually self destructs, look at American Chopper. Sr. and Jr. are constantly in court suing each other.

This is a great topic. Back in '08 my C-10 had been "done" for a couple years and I wanted something else to play with. The economy was starting to go and I found quite a few decent (meaning ready to drive and look pretty good) first gen Camaros and Firebirds in the 8-10K range. Then I lost my engineering job and worked out a deal with my dad to get his firebird. While I fully intend to redo the bird I'm realistic in my timeline and let's just say "it's going to be a while."

ANYWAY, long story short, I've been working since last summer again, not great money buy way better than unemployment, but I started getting interviews again for good paying engineering jobs, so I started thinging about adding a 67/68 camaro/bird to my fleet. After checking fleabay, craigslist, and some somewhat local "classic car dealers" holy crap have the prices gone up. I'd need about 15-16K for just a nice driver condition car. That's not even a "show" car price. Sorry, but I won't pay that, I'll keep working on the Bird (although maybe a little faster now)!!! ...and the wife's 305HP 2011 V6 Mustang helps ease the pain for now as well LOL!

It sounds to me that the kind of you're looking for will be in the 25K range.

THATS IT !!!!!... "You Can Put Lipstick On A Pig,, And It's Still A PIG,!!!.."... Just this morning I was trying to say this quote and I could'nt remember how it went..., Unreal..

Oh Yeah,, all needs to watch out,, remember,, these shows have an agenda, and it's to sway the public's thinking in a certain way,, to think and believe in the way they do, or want you to... These are the times we live in.. George Bush Sr.s "New World Order"... How many of you watch the History Channel,, or Explorer,, Discovery Channel, etc.????.. Who's going to come to our rescue if and when we decide to revolt??????????, the Libians???????, .... If any of you are old enough to have been warned and told about this when we were growing up, what in the Health class do you think is going on right now under your very noses???????.......Kids today don't even have a clue.. and if you think about it, who's fault is it???.. Who Was It That Said.."WAKE UP AMERICA"???... Do you want a speech,???.. Probly not,, Please,, just remember one thing, and don't listen to what you hear on TV,, This is Still America, and Think and Believe Like Americans... We are living the Dream and Don't let it Die...

Wow, talk about off topic. Desert Kings is a joke. Most reality based shows are. Just entertainment nothing more. Anyone buying something they "restored" is going to want to sue. If you watch the history channel any time in the past month you have come to realize that the ALIENS made us to be slaves to help them mine gold. LOL Each individual has to figure out what you want to believe and not believe. So make up some crazy outrageous story and you to can have your own show or even be elected to high status in our society.....

I have not seen that Desert Kings show. I will have to keep an eye out for it. Is it one of those shows where they ruin a classic car by putting on a 4 color custom paint job, 22" wheels, wet bar in the trunk etc? Not my thing. I will be on the lookout for a local bird. I find it hard to believe I have to pay 20k. My 69 is a great car but I would like a 400 this time. I also have a nice corvette, so my driving fun comes from there.(must admit that I also like the classic corvettes, but am proud to own a bird and not a camaro). The bird can't compete when it comes to handling and power but I would never sell it! I also find that for me, the hunt is every bit as much fun as actually owning one. I'm glad I found this forum again...lots of fun talking to others who also enjoy these great cars.

One word on desert kings;

D..K
Or JACKASS..or A-HOLE...

Guess there's several to discribe'm.

On the other side though, I got both my subframe and nodular HD 8.2 rear end from those guys for reasonable amounts of money.