What's Happening in the Muscle Car Market?

[@swamppy4880]

The Internet ruined the muscle car market. I bought a 67' Oldsmobile 442 back in 1983 for $200 in Berkley Mass. Everyone thinks their junk is worth a million dollars

[@paulleclaire2141]

First car I have owned I bought in 1977, it was a 69 Chevelle. weird car, it was a factory 350, 2 barrel carb, single exhaust , 4 speed car with bucket seats and a vinal top. the guy ordered it with a 4 speed because they got better gas mileage and he used it to commute to San Ramon from San Francisco. A V8 4 speed commuter car, lol. It had 120K on it , all freeway, in good shape, 100% bone stock. I paid $800. At the time I would have loved to have bought a 67, a 69, or a 70 super sport car but those were more like 1200 Bucks in good shape and who had that kind of money LMAO. Different time

[@dukecraig2402]

It wasn't the internet, it was Barrett-Jackson and Meacham televising their auctions, and of course rich people becoming interested in them. If you paid that much for a '67 Olds 442 back in 83 you stole it, depending on condition and engine those cars went from $500 to $1,500 back then with something in real nice shape with a rare performance package going for as high as around $3,500 but that'd pretty much be the absolute cap, average one's were $500 for something with a different color door or fender with bald tires and an engine that puffed a little smoke when you pulled away from a stop light to $1,500 for one with a real nice interior with no cracks in the dash nice tires and you could start cruising the local spot that night and successfully pick up chick's with. I graduated high school in 83, the first time I realized that one day cars like that would be worth serious money was after graduating I went into the Army, after basic and the rest if my training I was stationed in Germany in early 84, one of the perks of being in the military is even the lowlyist private in the Army they'll ship your vehicle anywhere in the world you get stationed, as a result over in Germany I saw cars like that weren't anything particularly special in America back then, you could even borderline say were considered gas guzzling junk by a lot of people, be superstars wherever they were parked with crowds of people gathered around them, one guy over there I was friends with had a Monte Carlo with a 454 in it that people over there just went nuts over, I can't tell you how many times we'd walk out of a place to leave and there'd be people hanging around it who'd seen the 454 badges that'd beg him to open the hood so they could actually see with their own eyes a big block engine, some would joyfully stand there babbling on about how they'd never seen a real live American V8 before in their life much less a king of the hill 454, I actually saw it happen in a parking lot once that had a 308 Ferrari in it and with that Monte Carlo sitting there it was like that Ferrari didn't even exist, nobody was paying any attention to it. I started realizing then that after a generation or two back in the states who weren't brought up around cars like that and won't take them for granted the way we did that they'd be looked at in an entirely different light.

[@TC-eo5eb]

At age 17 in 1975, I bought my first car, a 1969 Dodge Charger 383 Magnum for $1,200. I sold it in June 1976 for $1,000. I still have the sales receipt and the build sheet. I sold the Charger and bought a 1967 Chevelle Malibu 327 4 speed car or $750. I sold the Chevelle in the late 70's, it has changed hands multiple times and it is actually still alive and in my home town.

[@brianz426]

Great content and style of video. More of these please, including muscle cars in the $20-60k range. Thanks for your time and effort. 👍

[@ericheine2414]

The bottom is falling out on a lot of the older cars because the younger people don't know what they're looking at and they don't value them the same. A car is worth what somebody else is willing to pay for it. That's an opinion. Opinions change.

[@JonSwaim]

What I’m seeing in our shop here in Indy is unless you have a super rare car, which most cars falls into this category. Is the restomod / Protouring builds are what most customers are wanting. And as far as building a clone or a Eleanor movie car it doesn’t really matter what the car started out life as because the end result is so far away from where the car started out life as , and it’s more about the quality of the build and the parts used on the car is what will determine the value of the car more so than the VIN#. And let’s face it the 65-70 mustang factory suspension is fine to go get ice cream in on the weekend but if you actually want to drive it in rush hour traffic or driving it at 80 mph on the interstate, the factory suspension on those years needs to be thrown into the dumpster and upgraded into the 21st century.

[@charliezohfeld3659]

I believe this is big money 💰 talking at look at me and my car or cars. But it's fun watching and learning from your videos....

[@jimflammer9370]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to post it.

[@michaelbrown3277]

Nice video. I would prefer to see value comparisons of cars that a more "common" person could/would buy. Maybe review sales of cars in the 40 to 60k range in the future?

[@backyardbarnfinds]

No Problem Michael! Thanks for your Feedback!

[@davidpeters3846]

In twenty years these high-dollar machines we will only be able to look at them because we will not be allowed to drive them on the road think about

[@dmimcg]

right you are.

[@yavin99]

I think Corvettes bring in crazy money when resto modded, I've seen super nice survivors sell for half the price of a resto mod and seeing people resto mod 63 split window is crazy but its actually more common lately.

[@bartschwartz9233]

It’s the classic look with full morden running gear more realible more power and no warm up needed

[@classiccarfanatic]

Most of these old muscle cars are out of control on price. I got my ‘68 Cougar XR-7 that’s original and stock for less than 28k and I’m happy with that.

[@jamesmedina2062]

not wild on your car. He is only looking at very rare cars and hi end modded cars. Values do look a bit healthier overall. These old cars are not in production anymore so the values should keep going up because supply and demand. Nobody needs to suppress that.

[@pieroramacciato9434]

Good info. How about market valuation for the beginner collector. Cars under 40k. Even under 25k. Thanks.

[@BrandonHelfrick-f3g]

Another great video keep em coming

[@nowwaynamenit]

Numbers matching comes after drivability and the amount of fun you have driving it. If you have the original parts just save em and put whatever parts you want on the car it’s a blank canvas.

[@johnburgess6572]

Yeah, things change...less older people want different things than we , me , at 73. Hence...the restomods rising popularity. Great content

[@jamesmedina2062]

huh? You don't like Restomods?

[@aarongarcia1101]

Classic car market is going to go stale. I have been into cars my entire life, bought, sold and built many classic cars since the late 1980s. For one, no young people are falling into place and racing is falling in popularity as is hot rodding/cruising. Mechanics have changed entirely, with the tap of a few keys and some parts installed with a phillip's screwdriver you can add or subtract HP, detune and reset the cars computer, timing and fuel, not much mechanical. Also these classic cars are just not reliable, cruise around with a toolbox in the trunk. It's sad as anything I could think of but I recently changed my mind on the "investment" into a classic car.

[@fratzogmopars]

I had to laugh, that sounds like me, a bag of tools on the back floorboard, and a set of points, a condenser, and ballast resistor in the glove box.

[@rondpert5167]

These high end cars probably do indicate where the market is going. But except for a handful of rich buyers, at least for me, I'm more interested in what's the market doing for the average classic car. What's happening for a 1967 GTO, or a 1968 small block Cougar.

[@keithfitterer6899]

I own a 2007 ford mustang Shelby GT with only 11k on it. It’s black on black with the silver stripes. My buy was based on nostalgia as my first car was a 69 ford mustang Mach 1! I bought my 69 for 1800.00 back in 1971!

[@hughphillips67Mustang]

This is great information on the desirable high end cars. How does it effect the lower end of the brands? Such as regular Mustangs? Like non Shelby, or GT cars....? Just regular coupes, fastbacks, and convertibles. Does it effect the entire market? Or just the style of cars mentioned?

[@backyardbarnfinds]

Thanks for your feedback Hugh! The information you have suggested will be put into future videos!

[@hughphillips67Mustang]

@backyardbarnfinds awesome! Thanks. I love watching your videos. Your knowledge on the old cars blows my mind. And I've restored gen 1 mustangs for over 40 years. And you still wow me. Lol. I'm just a middle class farm boy. So I can't afford all those cars in this video. That's why I ask about the normal every day driver cars. Thanks for replying. And keep the videos coming.

[@jackpalczynski7884]

I agree with your observation that older cars with modern amenities in a resto mod are bringing more than a lot of full blown original cars. Keep in mind that "cars of interest" depend on what the generation who is now old enough to get what they saw in high school actually saw in high school. I was in high school in the 70s and saw lots of 60's and 70's Mopars. My 27 year old son has zero interest in these cars and fits right in with the Fast and Furious crowd, with more interest in Skylines and modified 350Z's and FD RX7s. His STi and highly modified S2000 demonstrate that.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

true age 20something ,care less when dad, grand parents all drive newer cars /never owned a American made car, prices is why lot us don't like muscle cars, every one brags ,price, one of one. matching # . lot of us had muscle car 35yrs ago ,had to sell them for mini vans and suv s now we want them back, but want the .a/c 4 wheel disc, 20mpg ,LS .overdrive.want to turn the key and go on sat-sun not lay on our back under the car

[@jamesmedina2062]

I think people finally got tired of really ancient iron that is stuck in its limited performance. The dinosaurs were it for a long time. With Coyote Mustangs, the new Vette, and the LT1 1LE Camaro pushing out 500 horses people with change do not want a sloppy slug in bias ply tires.

[@jamesmedina2062]

You would be surprised how many young kids were at the Ringo Starr concert with me. Not all young kids want the Skylines and such. But many do!

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

@@jamesmedina2062 I want mpg I so I can go on tours , do a 250 mile week end trip not spend $250 on gas and get 6 mpg and worry about carb ,will it start , is the timing ok dont have to watch the gas gauge my moms 70 chevelle 350 we where lucky to get 15 mpg and we had to burn leaded 90 octane car did good burn outs id like to build one 6 speed o/d F.I. ls ,4 wheel disc but most are rust buckets now and who knows how many times it has seen 00,000.0

[@Steverinomeister]

I know the LS6 was gone in 71 at least for the Chevelle but to me the name Top Dog will always be for the LS6 not the LS5.

[@BastardX13]

Bought a car from a man in 1994. He had a 1970 Ls6 Chevelle. Red. Black stripes. All original. 28000 miles as I recall. What a monster.

[@daveo2821]

I know with my car, I definitely like the modern upgrades while keeping the car looking pretty much original. So yes, I believe to restomod is the way to go. However, depending on the car, that may decrease its value and is something to be considered on an individual basis.

[@octane2099]

Recently I've been looking at a 1st gen Camaro or 65-66 fastback project but the prices are extremely high do you see the prices dropping in the next year or increasing?

[@keithfitterer6899]

Overall, if you’re smart on what you buy it’s a better return on what you can make than the stock market right now.

[@bobbycuesroadhouse2204]

Seems to always pay better when you resto mod 60s or early 70s Camaro Corvette Chevelle

[@nowwaynamenit]

All black Eleanor would look good. & 540 chevelle is awesome I would do a 632 if I found a 70 convertible SS

[@chuckeecheese162]

The downturn or static condition is in the majority of cars sold over the past year. These uber rare and top flight customs have always been in a different light. I believe it due to fewer people having interest and less disposable income for cars in the 25-50K range.

[@williamharmon3076]

There's many factors that go into evaluation a certain car, especially classic muscle cars from the 60s to 70s like how popular was that model and with what trim and was it optioned out to the fullest being best engine and transmission combination color diffs etc etc. But the one thing you left out is that most buyers of classic muscle cars, are from a few generations ago,who couldn't afford them back in the day, because even though the original sticker price seems like peanuts by today's economics, back when these vehicles were produced they were considered very expensive at the time, and another reason if you ever watch barret Jackson or Mecum auctions you see that most of the high-end buyers are all over 50+ years old, trying desperately to re live those years, of what was really cool back in the day, many of us were around when alot of these cars debuted and were kids or teenagers.

[@RonNorman-qu4qz]

I think the fathom green is the prettiest color of the Camaro in 69. Cortez silver was another beautiful color. What it is is the car is worth what you asked for it

[@carlhamersma8073]

The Indy GT 350 Shelby was believed to be restamped, I spoke with people who instected this car at that auction. The buzz was its a re stamp - price was down due to this belief.

[@georgeloizou2484]

Good update , however regarding the 63 Vette, I'm pretty sure those wheels were available and you often see them , correct me if I'm wrong

[@rickeycompton5518]

Yes, more of this type of content, by the way the Corvett launched on my birth date.

[@jaxjax5322]

Restomod its the way too go LSX rules 💪🏼

[@danhoyland142]

I think it’s dumb to speculate on whether the muscle car market is going up or down with blue chip muscle cars. This is bc the fact is, even during a down market those cars will hold value, and or be really expensive compared to the rest of what’s for sale that the average consumer can afford. There will always be upper 1% that can afford the blue chip cars and spend the money just bc they can. However, I think assessing data from previously undesirable muscle cars whom values have sky rocketed since the Covid boom would be a much better way to determine the market status. For instance 5 or 6 years ago someone would laugh in your face if you listed your 73 duster for sale for 20-25k, or 73 a74 challenger/ cuda for 40k. Same goes for 80-81 trans Ams in the 20s, or 72 cutlass non 442 cars for 25k. These cars were not desirable until recently, and it’s only bc the average joe could no longer afford the common golden age muscle car (64-71). I believe once these previously not so desirable cars stop bringing in what their more sought after earlier years brought, then we know for sure the market is on the decline.

[@mr.bojangles3725]

Hey Parker, I have a question asking for a friend. What would you do if you had a fully unmolested except you feel injection and camshaft 1969, 390 Mach 1. Would you sell it and if so how much do you think it would sell. Or at a couple more modern amenities and keep the car. If you do see this, I trust your opinion and that’ll be awesome let me know!!

[@russellurban8065]

I believe corvette enthusiasts want 1 restored to concourse level to look at and 1 resto mod to drive, best of both worlds!

[@drewpierce2273]

I've never understood the large money paid for restomods, which is just a fancy name for hot rodding a classic parts car.

[@JacksoNR26]

I dont care what the electric car push looks like for 2035, classic muscle cars will never go away from the 195ps to the 1970s. God bless muscle cars its what keeps me sober

[@darkmanzz]

original all the way 100%

[@hansjensen7823]

Hey Parker, huge fan of your channel. I have to comment on the style of this video, the narration has noticeably been sped up through software, and to be honest it’s a little difficult to listen and comprehend, there are no rests. Not sure if you did this or if it’s a KZbin thing, but if you are in control, please make it more natural next time. Thank you!

[@backyardbarnfinds]

Thanks Hans, just throwing something out to see if you guys are interested in the subject matter.. thanks for your feedback will take into consideration 👍

[@hansjensen7823]

@@backyardbarnfinds The subject matter, yes! The fast cadence, no.

[@squarebodybuilder]

Muscle cars are dropping fast. Seeing price reductions of 20-30% over last year.

[@thomasmagda4580]

These rare high dollar cars are not a good sampling of the overall market. Average cars are down over the last 12 months.

[@backyardbarnfinds]

Are there any specific car you would like me to go over?

[@robertbollenbach8534]

I just saw a 360hp 63 split window corvette sell for 160k at the Mecum auction in Dallas 2023. Was that just well bought or did the market tank.

[@backyardbarnfinds]

I believe that car was sold 3 times this year..

[@scottbourret1190]

The auction scene has ruined the classic car market for the average guy. There are too many rich guys with more money than brains competing to see who blinks first inflating the value of lesser quality vehicles.

[@mickblack3291]

Auctioneers have ruined the housing market as well.

[@fratzogmopars]

And Mecum plies them with alcohol so they make even stupider decisions.

[@JacksoNR26]

That 1971 chevelle ls5 if he kept it original it would've sold for more

[@flyinhighaerial3193]

I have a original 1969 Beaumont, 1 of 12. 31,900 orig miles. 4 speed bucket car. L48

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

cool wonder if any commenters know what it is

[@garySS74]

Very nice. Would love to see that beauty. My first car was a ‘68 Beaumont Custom, 307 w/ powerglide, light blue. Would love a SD 396 in the same colour.

[@ericheine2414]

Barrett-Jackson and Mitchum they are a Feeding Frenzy- of the places you can buy a car their the most expensive. The bidding may even be rigged. They set up the whales. The 71 Chevelle is not that desirable. The 65 Shelby's are flimsy. Yes I enjoyed one. They are a snappy little car and they are very fashionable. They are light and they get blown around over 100 mph. I feel safer in a car that weighs 3,200 lb. Brizio Street Rods of South San Francisco builds some pretty incredible cars. It's only original once.

[@VDykes]

ok leave the mopar crowd out🤬🤬

[@backyardbarnfinds]

I got ya in the future brotha, just picked a couple cars to see what your thoughts would be on this style of video.. plenty of mopar love in the future no worries 👍

[@429supercj]

The Chevy guys like to leave out Mopar and Ford, it reminds them of how often they lose

[@georgerohlinger5837]

Resto mods are bringing in more money than original cars. It seems people want the character and cool look of old cars but want the modern immensities of modern cars.

[@Emery-xx8nc]

The people that grew up loving these cars are getting older and losing interest. Or dying off. Younger generations don’t really care about these cars so I think eventually demand will go away and prices will crash down.

[@chrissikora3359]

I always thought the 70 chevelles were the big money cars , not the 71

[@cashmoney3293]

All depends on what's done to the car,original drive train,frame off restoration,restomod etc

[@cmscms123456]

Classic and muscle car collector value car market will only last as long as the 'collectors' are of the age that these cars meant something to 'them'... Once that age is eclipsed, the bottom will fall out of the market. 50's 60's and 70's cars are the rage. 40's and earlier... the guys that 'loved' those cars are dead now, and so is its market value. Soon, the 50's cars will fall off too. If you have a 1957 Chevy Nomad... SELL.... it will never be worth that $185,000 you 'think' its worth. It might be worth.... $35,000 and its falling fast.

[@RonNorman-qu4qz]

With the way this country's going they're phasing out gasoline. So what does that tell you these cars are going to be expensive paperweights

[@jagv12m]

Way way way too much this will end badly

[@fratzogmopars]

Mecum, destroying the classic car market for the little guy.

[@DMUSA536]

Your knowledge is impressive. Do actually know off the top of your head or do you need notes to help? I’m asking because I don’t have a great memory, but there are so many variations

[@backyardbarnfinds]

I would say 87% is off the top.. I have to use notes for prices so they are exact and certain year production numbers.. usually I’m close from memory but off by a couple sometimes lol

[@soul69charger]

Restomods suck! And their rich buyers too. If You want to drive an old car You have to put up with an old car. If You can't do that, play golf. Or let Your wife have an overhaul. 😡

[@KevinMiller-lh9ur]

Stupid money is being paid for most of these cars.

[@ChefLaRue]

I don’t think your examples are good indicators of the entire market because your examples are very low limited production number cars. My opinion is that these ‘elite’ musclecars will hold or increase their value for at least a few years to come whereas the state of the economy will greatly affect the values of very nice cars from the era that would be considered more average types. For instance an A12 Roadrunner will hold or climb as opposed to an average 383 car which will decrease over the coming months and years. The same will hold true for 396 cars and 350 cars will slide even more. The point is that I believe the muscle car market will become more affordable soon for the average person but those low production, highly sought cars will remain at the top of the food chain. Average Joe money just isn’t there right now and even those with plenty of it will be facing some tough times and decisions in the coming months. Mid to late 2024 will answer alot of questions. Just my opinion, not yours.

[@rebeccajohnson1407]

ummm Muscle cars not sport cars just saying

[@fratzogmopars]

After the baby boomers die off the prices of these 60’s muscle cars will drop as the millennials and gen x-ers will be nostalgic about the foreign shit boxes they drove as kids and won’t care about some Detroit muscle.

[@vincentenk4449]

I hope it absolutely TANKS! You want to invest, DO GOLD!

[@dmimcg]

In 20 years, NOBODY will want these cars. Just like kids today don't even listen to music, they don't drive either. Get out now while you still can.

[@davidpeters3846]

TV shows like gas monkey garage started all these high prices