Media | Articles
These 5 Classics Started 2025 with Big Gains
Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! On our calendar, January means big auctions, as well as a time to reflect on the previous year and debrief. It is also when we release our quarterly update of the Hagerty Price Guide. In the big picture, 2024 saw the previously hot collector car market cool down and settle. However, the collector car market has become more nuanced than ever, and while many collector vehicles have settled or stumbled, exceptional examples are still bringing out motivated buyers.
As the year drew to a close we still observed some notable value increases, but those gains were conspicuously smaller than the huge increases we became accustomed to seeing earlier in the 2020s, and the more noteworthy increases are mostly found in the less expensive segments of the hobby. Let’s look at the price guide’s biggest winners, measured by percentage increase across all conditions, in detail below.
As always, if you have questions about how we arrived at these changes, you can read more about the methodology behind the Hagerty Price Guide here.
1981-93 Dodge W-Series Pickups
Average increase: +16%
Six months ago, we visited this series of Dodge pickup and here we are again. The trucks of note then were the burly Cummins diesel-powered models, but now it appears the rest of the series has decided to catch up. The third generation D/W series (“D” for 2WD, “W” for 4WD) saw a major face lift in 1981 as well as a rebrand to “Dodge Ram,” a name that sticks to this day. Many of these updates were cosmetic to give the series a refreshed look, but Dodge also tightened up engine options, with a basic Slant Six through 1987 being replaced by a V-6, two V-8 engines with the 318 and 360, and a diesel offering in the form of the six-cylinder mill from Cummins.
Marketplace
Buy and sell classics with confidence
D/W-Series trucks closed out the year strong. The four-wheel drive W-Series performed especially well, with some good trucks selling in late 2024 for prices far outpacing price guide numbers, and this went for both gas- and diesel-powered trucks. Two-wheel drive models fared well, too, with values gaining seven percent on average. Good Dodge trucks of this era do not materialize often. Much of this has to do with a lack of the restoration support Ford and GM trucks enjoy, compounded by Dodge’s lower production numbers. That said, good trucks are making it onto the market and enthusiasts are eager to snatch them up regardless of what’s under the hood, though Cummins-powered examples remain king in this market.
1991-96 Chevrolet Caprice Station Wagon
Average increase: +13%
Chevrolet’s fourth generation Caprice marked the end of an era for GM, leaving the full-size, rear-wheel-drive market to Ford’s Panther platform. These cars were built in the hundreds of thousands and were the transportation of choice for families, taxi companies and police departments alike. The “whale body” Caprice is held in affection amongst Gen-X and Millennial enthusiasts who grew up with them.
We’ve been watching the rise of station wagons in general over the past several years. From family commuters to high horsepower sport wagons, it’s a phenomenon that keeps growing. Which is good news for Caprice wagon owners who saw their cars increase 13 percent on average in value over the past few months. But that surge is only a small piece of the puzzle. While driver to project grade cars saw only modest bumps, a surprising amount of excellent condition cars hit the market at the end of 2024 and sold extremely well, prompting a big jump on condition #2 (“excellent”) cars, widening the value gap between them and #3 (“good”) condition examples.
While a driver-quality Caprice wagon still costs in the neighborhood of $10,000 a clean, lightly used example is now approaching $30,000. Whether this phenomenon is just increased willingness of buyers to pony up for the rare excellent condition car, or if this is collector recognition remains to be seen. Either way, if you’ve been hanging on to a nice Caprice wagon, chances are you’ll be pleased with the news.
1981-83 DeLorean DMC-12
Average increase: +11%
John Z. DeLorean’s attempt at creating a full-blown car company was an ambitious and gutsy, but between money problems and the high-profile drug bust involving John Z. (who would later be acquitted on grounds of entrapment), the whole enterprise died a sad end before the car could really get off the ground. The infamous stainless steel sports car got a second wind in 1985 with Back to the Future and became a pop culture icon. Aside from pop culture, the DeLorean received the accolades of car reviewers who found the car to be quite good although it lacked any sort of real power. Road & Track even said “it may well be that the DeLorean will become a cult car, purchased for status reasons by persons wishing to be seen as individualists.”
For years, the DeLorean enjoyed reasonable pricing, but over the past five years it saw real growth in the market, and the past few months saw another sizable surge as a couple of exceptional cars traded in the deep $100,000 range and other excellent-condition cars approached the six-figure barrier. While good (condition #3) to fair (condition #4) cars did not enjoy such a lift, it’s clear that there is a strong appetite for DeLoreans and buyers are willing to pay up for exceptional ones. We will have to see if these strong numbers bring more great cars to market, but for now the future looks bright.
1981-90 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60/FJ62
Average increase: +9%
Land Cruisers make another appearance to our list of significant movers. The 80-Series model was a big winner back in October, but now we turn our attention to the 60-Series. Introduced in 1981, the 60-Series Land Cruiser offered creature comforts to make them more livable as a commuters than previous models, all while maintaining the Land Cruiser’s famous go-anywhere capability.
While not as expensive as the 80-Series that followed it, the 60-Series has a devoted following that reveres it for its ruggedness and overall usability, not to mention Toyota’s famous reliability. While the best examples are now fetching close to six-figures, excellent quality trucks saw the largest surge last year, going from a somewhat palatable price of around $40,000 to the mid-$50,000 range. Don’t despair, though, as driver quality trucks are still commonly available at lower prices, with good condition #3 examples in the $30,000 range and trucks with needs at just around $10,000. The continued increases in values of Land Cruisers, however, proves that there is a high demand and enthusiasts are snatching up whatever models they can get their hands on.
1958-60 Edsel
Average increase: +9%
Those who do remember the Edsel brand mostly think of it as Ford’s big failure in the late 1950s. To be fair, the idea behind it was not so different from what GM and Chrysler were doing at the time. It was an upper mid-tier car that aimed to compete with the likes of Buick, Oldsmobile, and DeSoto. However, at the time their styling wasn’t well-received and quality was inconsistent. Plus, Ford introduced this all-new brand during a recession, which never helps. Edsel ceased to be a brand in just three years of existence, after losing FoMoCo over $250M.
Edsel is a niche marque amongst enthusiasts today and values rarely change at a big clip, but we did observe a decent lift in values the past three months. A handful have come to market, selling publicly and offered for sale at surprisingly high numbers. And while asking prices are just that—an ask—the trend is in the positive. While most of the movement was relegated to four-door models, it is clear that there is still life in ’50s American classics, even the ones that lurk just outside of our attention.
Find more values
Search for prices of other cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles
I was solid loyal fan of 1960’s 544. 640s VOLVO’s
Now have a DeSoto 1950 Custom all Original.
I bought a new 1973 Caprice station wagon back in the day. Yellow with the wood grain. Beautiful looking car. Worst piece of crap I ever bought! I had to start it 3-4 times just to get it out of driveway! Dealer said that’s just the way it is. It had the 400cu V/8. Traded it in for a new 77 T’bird with the 400cu V/8. Best car I ever owned! Sorry I got rid of it 14 years later! On another note, Greg Ingold, you had an article in early July 2024 about how color affects the price of the car. You stated about Mustangs and said about a 1964 1/2 Mustang with Pogoda Green being worth 61 % more than any other color. I own that particular car and would like to get a copy of that article. Could you provide that info to me? Thanks!
There’s a Caprice meeting that description beside my mechanic’s shop. Beautiful car.
1973-1974 were bad years for cars. They were just starting the age of catalytic converters, different tuning, etc, to improve emissions and fuel economy. I had a ’73 Chrysler Newport, 400 cid 2 bbl, which was a very nice car, except it always ran rough up to 40 mph. It smoothed out over 40, but nobody — the local Chrysler dealer, and several independent shops could get it running well. Before the Chrysler I had a ’71 Plymouth Duster which ran like a top, and after the Chrysler, a ’77 Chevette and a ’79 Cutlass Supreme, both of which ran well. I’ve heard MANY people complain about their engines in that 1973-1976 timeframe.
The Edsel deserves a place as a classic. Everything about the car shouts Fifties styling and elegance until you get around to the horse collar front with a face only a mother could love.
Still, it is a true classic and makes me smile every time I see one. Can’t say I would ever be bold enough to own one though.😊
Re engine with an SHO V6 or an Alpine A610 (if you could find one).
How about my Delorean converted to Tesla electric power, with a Bugatti blue beautiful interior. May be headed to the NY auto show.
I bought a 1984 FJ60 ,took the family and all the gear camping, then later hauled all my carpet cleaning gear for 12 years. The room in this truck and the fact it will go any where for the last 40 years ! Still Trucking .
Bought a F60 for my wife to transport my toddlers when we lived in Colorado mountains. She asked to trade it in for a Previa when we moved to R.I. Wished I still had it
Delorean is a prv engine 6 cyl. it does not have balanced upper cams. thus the engine shakes itself all the way to the mechanic to get repaired ,,,,,, i have sold a few back in the 90s…
58 Edsel was the best (original) looking, but for you that complain just look at the front of some of these new cars U G L Y
Gary,
I have a 2024 Lexus ES350. Love the car and I think it looks good on 3 sides. I just try to avoid looking at the front of it. UGLY grille — hate it. Reminds me of the scowl and teeth of a 1950 Buick. Seems like most cars front ends have ugly, massive grilles. Hmm….. Do they make vehicle orthodontists?
Cheers,
DDSD
The Delorean has always been a curiosity to me. Some good ideas but, sadly hastily put together due to looming financial failure. Then came “Back To The Future”. Car collectors will pay absurd money for movie cars or, cars that look like movie cars. i.e. The “Bullitt” Mustang and the Griswold Family Truckster assembly line cars that sold for big money.
I bought my first car when I was 17 in 1964 – a 1960 Edsel Pacer for $400 from a Ford dealer. The speedo didn’t work, bu it was realy fast.
Thanks for a very interesting read!
It’s nice to see that the Dodge D/W trucks are finally being noticed!
I own a 1966 D200 Sweptline with a 318 poly motor that my dad bought new….took my drivers test in it on my 16th birthday.
These are trucks that are usually found on job sites or farms, not in car shows.
I just finished the restoration of mine to be able to hand it off to my son at the appropriate time. You are absolutely correct, restoration parts are slim pickings compared to Chevrolet and Ford.
In the meantime, I take my grandkids out- they love sitting up front nice and high with a great view out the windshield!
Price changes are all well and good but what are they like to DRIVE? Doesn’t that matter anymore? A 4,000 lb paperweight in the garage is just not that inspiring.
All this hashing about which ones are (pick your lament) too weird/too rust-prone/too modern/too WHATEVER.
IMAGINE, for just a moment, if we ALL liked/wanted/collected the EXACT same vehicle.
1) there would be none left for anybody who didn’t get “in first”
2) the local cars and coffee spot would be pretty… BORING
3) the Hagerty valuation guide would only have ONE make and model on its list
I am a GM guy, BUT I give thumbs-up to vintage iron of EVERY marque when I see them on the road.
“I rejoice in our differences”
Waspman, you hit the nail on the head. Great post!
I was introduced to the Edsel at the annual car show at the Milwaukee Auditorium in 1958. Had a very hard time accepting that front fish lip. I was in disbelief and never came to terms with why FOMOCO would do that. Didn’t even take a brochure. When the salesman told me it had a Ford engine, I walked. Not that there was anything wrong with Fords. I just thought it was a cheap thing to do.