How much would that ZR-1 have sold for last year, or the year before? Barrett-Jackson prices this year are way down, due to the economy.

Collector cars are a volatile investment. If you are holding long term, you don't sell when the market is down, unless you have to.

Also, the OP's car is #6 with 50 miles. While a ZR-1 with 2,500 miles is more comparable than the '78 Firebird that was previously mentioned, the OP's car has the potential to appeal to the most wealthy and serious collectors someday. It might not really shoot up in value for 25+ years, but someday, the retro muscle cars of this decade will be very appealing to collectors, IMO.

 

In the 80s, a car from the 60s wasnt bringing in huge money either. Give vehicles more time. The challenger might be worth something in the far future. Also, C4 vettes were garbage. They were visually and mechanically unappealing.

 

OK. How about a 1978 Corvette Pace Car with only 16 miles? Original cost ~$20k, sold for $34k.

The 60's and early 70's cars that draw big money, aren't drawing that money because of their age. They draw big money because they are from the 60's or early 70's. A Mustang from the 80's won't be worth what a Mustang from the 60's is, EVER.

 

I agree that, in 25 years, his Challenger will not be worth what the #6, 50 mile on the Odo 1970 Challenger R/T with a 426 Hemi or a T/A 340 Six Pack would be worth.

Still could be a good investment, though. Best investment in a car ever? No, but he LOVES this car. That's got to count for something.

There is some risk, for sure. But IMO, there is probably some pizza faced 16 year old kid out there today that would LOVE an '08 Challenger, but he can't afford one. When that kid makes it super wealthy and can afford anything he desires to add to his collection by 2040, this is the Challenger he is going to want the most...

Also, that '78 pace car 'vette was a cosmetic package only, on a year when the performance and macho factor were at the low water mark for the 'vette. It was a shame that was the kind of Corvette Chevy made for the 25th year.

I think this particular Challenger will be much more appealing to collectors someday than a '78 vette. It's the first year of a new body style, more like a '63 or a '68 Vette. What would the first 10 of those those go for with 50 miles on the odo, even in 2009's bad economy?

 

Again, different situation. It all depends on what kind of power vehicles are putting out when there is a possibility of this thing being worth anything in the future. 78 corvettes are trash. They were dogs and no where near the performance of other vettes. If there is another challenger in the future that is putting out much more power than this one, than this won't really be worth much. The one thing that it has going for it is that it is one of the first for the first year it is out. Next years models won't be worth as much down the road. Some 60s mustangs really arent worth much anymore either. Plus, a 14k gain on a 78 vette aint a bad deal.

 

It is a bad investment when you factor in inflation, storage costs and any insurance and selling expenses.

A $20,000 investment and a $34,000 payment after 31 years is a 1.73% compound rate of return, before expenses. That's not going to keep up with inflation.

Not a good investment at all, but if the investor wanted low risk, he would not have been buying cars.

 

FX4ME2,

I thought you made a thread awhile back saying you had put in an order for 2 of these? Now you bought one off ebay, or you never got the other two? I'm pretty sure it was you that said you were getting two of them when they were taking orders or what not.

 

I have to say that is pretty damn awesome. Congrats! I for one couldn't resist driving that beauty around.

 

Congrats man...very nice car.



I think we are all forgetting that in 25-30 years I doubt any of us will be driving gas powered vehicals the way things are going.

 

Very hot car. Even cooler to have all the documentation along with it - including build pictures and such. I honestly could see this type of a vehicle fetching HUGE cash at a serious auction here in 20 years.

With build sheets, #6 of only a handful, and even build photos -- wow... talk about a serious collector vehicle from the beginning. Guys pay huge money to have cars documented like this (ever watch Mecum or Barrett Jackson)?

Congrats!

 

They bring big money because of "rarity". MOPAR cars are going the way of the dodo bird, because replacement parts are so scarce. There are companies out there trying to provide after-market replacement parts for them now, just as Year-One has been doing for old GM vehicles for years, but it may be too little too late. If it's not, and more MOPAR cars ARE restored in the future, the price a MOPAR car will bring should drop. It depends on how many of the current Challengers are sold, and how many survive, as to what price it brings in the future.

 

I understand what makes collecter cars collectable and you are assuming that this car will be more desirable one day. No the 78 Firebird is not one of the first ones made but he did buy it new in 78 and has all the documents to prove it. It was just an example of someone I knew that had a low milage car that drove it.

Having #6 to me would be nice but the #1 car and the last one that rolled of the line for the year will be the ones worth the real money if it turns out that these cars are indeed a collectors item in 25 or so years. If you are buying it as an investment piece only there are far better ways to make money and they take up less space.

I don't have Leno's kind money but when I buy or build a car I drive it. I have always respected car guys who own drivers and have never been interested in a "trailer queen" but like I said to each his own.

 

Nice car man & congats!
If you like the car and want to put it away, all the power to you, I hope it brings you many happy and plentyfull returns.

Just make sure you put an alarm on the garage for when your kids turn that magical age.

Remember Ferris Bueller's Day Off?


Good luck

 

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I agree that this is a hugh risk, and may not be the best investment i have ever made, but i think it will be in the long haul. I really gave up on owning a Challenger after i lost both cars that i ordered. 1 due to Chrysler cancelling my order, and the other was due to the Chrysler dealer being sold to another, and them not honoring my deal. I had talked to my attorney about the dealer not honoring my deal, and it was not cost effective for me to pursue. So at that time i said screw it and started to look on Craigslist for a classic car that i didn't have to work on. I just could not decide, and just for sheets and giggles, i looked on e-bay for Challengers and i saw this one. It was the exact car i ordered with all of the options, and the 6th car made! So i figured i would just click it and see what happens.... Well we reached an agreement, and i got the car of my dreams. I will get more enjoyment out of people seeing this car at shows, or wherever i TRAILER this car. People like me, do not get the 6th car made. EVER.... In a few years, when i get this car paid for, i will buy another one , just to drive. Hopefully it will be a convertible. And if i die before i get to see the return on this car, i am going to leave it to my Son. But in the meantime, i sure love all the neighbors drooling.....

 

That's a really slick looking car you got there.. Congrats on the purchase..


With that being said, American muscle went out 30 years ago when the started putting emission restrictions on those cars... I do understand with todays technology you can achieve just as much power or more than the cars of yester-year... Nothing like cracking open a 4 barrel carb on a 69 chevelle 454 and feeling RAW power.. Cars of today have smooth power delivery.. I like the older cars that have just POWER.. Doesn't matter how it's applied but to me all that matters is that it's there and in RAW form...

I think the cars made today won't fetch as much money 30-40 yrs from now as the cars did 30-40yrs ago... Different time, and a different breed of car...

The cars they make today, IE Camaro, Mustang, Challenger... That's not american muscle, they are just sport's cars now... Pontiac is done and they had the most popular car back in the ERA, the GTO... They were cheap and FAST... Those days are over and with the new cars they are trying to come out with I don't think it's coming back....


James