5 vehicles that prove the market hasn’t lost steam
Despite continued external variables threatening to put a damper on enthusiasm for buying collector cars, the latest quarterly update of the Hagerty Price Guide indicates a continued strong, if slightly more rational, market. The 2022 Monterey auctions saw their best-ever year and demand for collector vehicles remains strong. While some of the gains were a tad more restrained than in previous editions of the Price Guide, the sub-$50,000 market in particular saw a number of healthy increases, helping indicate that overall the market remains healthy. Here are a few highlights and notable movers from the latest edition.
1973–1991 Chevrolet/GMC Suburban: +18 percent
With one generation spanning eighteen years, “square body” Suburbans are one of the most recognizable classic utility vehicles that don’t carry the Jeep name. A utilitarian workhorse and family cruiser, the Suburban combines truck and station wagon into one package. From fleet grade to downright cushy for the era, a wide selection of trim levels meant you could spec your Suburban exactly how you wanted.
Perhaps it’s their size, or how common they once were, but Suburban values have lagged behind those of their smaller Jeep competitors, remaining relative bargains in the utility wagon world. It was only a matter of time for the Suburban, though, especially with its pickup counterparts and Blazers steadily rising over recent years. While it seems unlikely we will see Blazer-level prices out of Suburbans, don’t expect these trucks to be any cheaper moving forward.
1967–1970 Toyota 2000GT: +20 percent
Toyota’s 2000GT is without a doubt the grandfather of Japanese collector cars. It is one of the earliest Japanese cars to be widely accepted as a serious collector model and accordingly has ventured into previously unimaginable values for a Japanese car. A few models like the Lexus LFA and certain editions of the Nissan Skyline GT-R have joined ranks with the 2000GT, but with the global car community only recently warming to Japanese metal, there is still room for growth in this market.
The 2000GT’s path hasn’t always been ascendant, though: We have observed wild swings over the years, from a top-flight car going for $1.1M in 2015 to another #1 condition sale failing to clear $800,000 in early 2017. While these cars only infrequently become available, successive sales this summer both on Bring a Trailer and in-person in Monterey demonstrate the 2000GT’s triumphant comeback, placing values north of $1M once again.
1981–1993 Volvo 240: +22 percent
Volvo brick owners everywhere, rejoice! These cars have been gaining traction over the course of the last year but have really picked up speed this past quarter. These highly practical, over-engineered boxes on wheels are a total nostalgia trip for anyone who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s. But their appeal is far broader than that: Based on insurance quotes, it’s nearly a dead-even spread of baby boomers through Gen-Z who are interested in these cars.
This appeal has driven a ton of these cars into the online auction space, where some real gems have popped up for sale. Granted, your average 240-series is still a cheap collector car, but now you’re going to have a hard time picking one up for the value of your pocket lint. A good car can set you back close to ten grand, and that’s still a car with over 150,000 miles. If you want an actual low-mile car, we’ve seen sales exceed $40,000, although that’s a unicorn. It’s unlikely that these cars will go truly bonkers value-wise (although one could argue they already have, compared to where they were), but it’s safe to say that the 240 has successfully transitioned from a bulletproof family commuter to a bulletproof, fun collector car.
1993–1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee: +32 percent
We didn’t see this coming, either. 1990s Jeep Grand Cherokees have long been a staple of robust, affordable, 4×4 daily driving. The ZJ-Series Grand Cherokee was also the subject of one of the most memorable car unveilings of all time: Then-president of Chrysler Bob Lutz drove up the steps of Detroit’s Cobo Hall and through the building’s plate glass window to unveil the new model. Like Lutz’s entry, the Grand Cherokee was a smash hit with the public and absolutely proliferated the 4×4 market, making the Grand Cherokee name the success it is today.
Considering that the vintage truck and SUV market has been white hot for some time, that the ZJ is seeing an increase should surprise no one. Let’s be clear—cheap, heavily-used examples are still out there, but for exceptionally well-cared-for examples, prices into the teens to over $20,000 are no longer unheard of. History shows us that Jeep wagons are incredibly popular among enthusiasts, so it’s likely this trend will continue.
1984–1993 Ford Mustang Saleen: +40 percent
Others at Insider may disagree, but the Fox-body Mustang has got to be the greatest classic Mustang since the original hit the roads in the 1960s. Like its predecessor, it brought affordable performance to the masses. Perhaps just as importantly, after the ungainly Mustang II, the Fox-body looked like a true pony car. But unlike the 1960s, the Mustang didn’t have a go-to tuner to spice things up: Carroll Shelby was now helping Chrysler spice up its K-cars.
Into that void stepped Steve Saleen. Like the Shelby Mustangs two decades before, Saleen Mustangs were tweaked in Saleen’s shop but offered through Ford dealers. Geared toward racing and cornering versus straight-line speed, the majority of upgrades were handling-related, although later versions saw noticeable power bumps. Their rarity and a better understanding of their significance in the Mustang story among average collectors is likely fueling this bump in values. It’s worth noting, though, that Ford’s in-house track monster, the 1993 Cobra R, saw its own values appreciate ahead of the Saleen Mustangs and commands higher prices in large part due to its even more rare status.
Regardless of the reason for the ascendent Saleen values, it seems likely that this sudden rise is far from a fluke. Consistent offerings of excellent examples show that the gap between the Cobra R and Saleens is rapidly closing. Don’t be surprised if there is more room for growth.
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the toyota 2000 has never lost steam. it may have slowed a bit at times but, it has remained a prize piece for collectors almost since in inception.
The Toyota is really kind of ugly if you ask me – & 1 million LMAO – an E-type is a beautiful car from all angle & is only worth a fraction of these 2000’s – I just don’t see it …
If you like E-Types, I think you have to like the 2000, pretty similar. The E-Type has the advantage of being the original and the 2000 has the advantage of low, low production and shorter duration, plus it doesn’t piddle everywhere.
+1000
Rarity!
I don’t think these cars would be any measure that the market is still “hot”.
Agreed, Thom. Other than possibly the Jeep, none of the listed cars have ever been of interest to me. The title had me expecting a much more impressive list.
Hundred %
i agree, on what planet does the volvo remain “hot”.
agree, see no attraction to any of these
I drive my faded, rusty 1991 244 everyday. It’s easy to repair, parts are inexpensive and it always gets me where I want to go. I have other “collector” vehicles but the Volvo is my daily. I had a 67 and a half 144 that was truly agrarian. No timing chain nor vacuum advance and equipped with SU carbs. That was a beast I wished I still had but my little brother wrecked it. My Volvo had over 250k when the second speedo gear split, so I have no clue of the mileage now . I don’t understand the love for the Jeep…but the AMC/Nash based six was a good design.
I guess we Jeep owners could question your affinity for Volvos.
“It’s funny because…” around Toledo we used to call the Volvo “a Swedish Rambler.”
I’m not a Grand Cherokee lover, but do love me an XJ Cherokee and MJ Comanche! Don’t have either right now though… but I do have my 63 Rambler Classic wagon resto-mod with a mixed year Jeep 4.0L (89 block, 99 head/intake/exhaust manifold, 89 RENIX EFI system…)
The 2000 GT deserves a better price. Last time I checked, granted some years ago there were 50ish cars that made it to the states in the 60’s, many from what I understand broke cranks when raced ( Shelby)–so not a lot of survivors. And wasnt it a very limited production world wide which is why it so rare? 350ish made. At one point It was rumored that not even Toyota had a complete one– although I saw one around the TX HQ, a few years ago.. Compare that to any 60’s limited production sports car and lets look at that price.. just saying.
Shoot, forgot to mention X- Bond car!
James Bond drove a Toyota 2000 GT in one of the 007 movies only his was a convertible which I don’t believe they actually made.
He also drove a AMC matador or something in one movie
If memory serves, 007 “was driven in” that 2000! And the driver was really something…
If memory serves, 007 “was driven in” that 2000! And the driver was really something…
Duplicate article again. Why do we do double of certain articles?
There are some however that have lost steam. Check out Miatas over the last 6 to 8 months.
Other than the Volvo, I don’t see anything too surprising here, given recent market trends.
Nothing surprising . The fed gov inventing and printing trillions , the inflation is running at about 30% in the real world , the fedgov claims it’s 9% but they purposely don’t include food or fuel in their calculations . The dollar has lost about 30% of its value in the last 18 months , so the prices have increased that much just to stay level.
I am the original owner of a 1970 Mustang Mach 1 and 1983 Mustang GLX convertible. The Fox body convertible has been a fun car to drive. But I find the Saleen Fox Bodies to look like some 10 year added plastic gingerbread to an otherwise nice looking car. But, of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The Toyota should not even be included, it’s so rare of course it’s going to keep being worth more. The suburbans are a joke, just pull up to the gas pump and fill it once, ya going want to drive all the time!!
When I bought my MR2 back in 1991 (I still own it), I mentioned to the salesperson that I used to see a red Toyota 2000 GT parked on their lot and always admired it. He proceeded to walk me to the service area to show me that car under a tarp. It was owned by the man who owned the dealership.
James Bond drove a Toyota 2000 GT in one of the 007 movies only his was a convertible which I don’t believe they actually made.
What about the ASC Mclaren Mustang? A very good Fox body modification.
Kind of an uninspiring collection. I think cars that people really want have become so expensive auction fever has resorted to what shows up. Other than the 2000 which is genuinely a collectable, this collection looks like “inheritance specials” and value appreciation is always great on the bargain basement cars. The Saleen is an exception. Shelby’s, Corvettes, and high performance Dodges will be the future.
I can’t help but wonder if the Suburban, Jeep and Volvo are simply because families can’t afford new cars and more are looking to still running older cars, then supply and demand kicked in. I know I’ve been thinking of an older Suburban.
I have a Saleen fox body, a GT fox body, 3 jeep cherokee XJ´s and two volvos, 142 and 740 series. Talk about being rightly invested for this article 🙂