These five classics just got more attainable
Earlier this year, the collector car market could most simply be described as “nuanced.” Value gains and losses weren’t necessarily haphazard or random but few, if any, overarching trends emerged. The subsequent months have yielded more consistent signals and a clear conclusion that we are no longer in the superheated market of 2021 and most of 2022. Finally, we see a clearer trend line.
Some segments that saw recent and ample growth are now experiencing a soft landing. The most notable losses from the latest Hagerty Price Guide update listed here articulate that fact: None of the decreases over the last three months were massive, and no decrease completely erased a gain realized since 2020. The good news? There are no signs that the bottom is falling out, but that sanity and restraint is starting to make its way back into the market.
Opportunistic buyers should take special note: Market preferences have no impact on how a car drives or makes you feel. If one of these cars has been on your wish list, it just got a little more attainable.
1972–82 Fiat X1/9 -17%
Fiat’s Bertone-designed, cute little wedge of a mid-engine car gave us a vision of Italian sportiness with the affordability of a Fiat. Looking at the X1/9, you be hard-pressed to miss design cues that made it onto more well-known, affordable mid-engine sports cars like the Pontiac Fiero and the Mk I Toyota MR2. The X1/9 had an astonishingly long lifespan, from its debut in 1972 all the way to 1989 under the Bertone name. These cars are neither powerful nor fast, remaining under 100 horsepower for the duration of their lifespan, but if you squint and turn your head sideways, you can see the roots of many Italian sports cars of the era.
For the most part, these cars have been dirt cheap. The best X1/9 in existence will still set you back less than $30,000 (though you’ll have a hard time finding many in that condition), and a driver-quality car can be had for less than $10,000. Enough of these cars hit the market recently that the values of lower-condition ones took a big hit; values for excellent cars remained untouched.
In the grand scheme, X1/9 values have behaved like those of so many other cars in the market: They ran up over the last two years and have settled back down to their 2021 levels. No need to worry about the bottom falling out of the X1/9 market—not that there was very far to fall—but this is a common trend we are seeing in the market that’s merely more exaggerated in the case of this Fiat.
2011–17 Aston Martin V12 Vantage -14%
Best known for its GT cars, Aston Martin exudes sportiness and exclusivity, a reputation built by outright wins at Le Mans and stealing the show on the silver screen. It is from this heritage that the Vantage name was reinitiated for the 2006 model year. Since the David Brown era, all sports-oriented versions of Aston Martin’s cars wore the Vantage badge. These would first come with a 380- then later a 420-horsepower V-8. 2011 would see the introduction of a much more powerful V-12 with 510 horsepower in base trim.
Though Aston Martin took the fight to Ferrari’s GT cars with the Vantage, the comparison between the brands isn’t apples to apples. Purchasing a modern Aston Martin has always been about making a conscious “not-Ferrari” choice, one that values speed and luxury delivered with a dollop of British restraint. The V-12 Vantage saw big growth in 2021 and 2022. After this latest market update, though, values have settled back to $136,000 for a top-flight example, which is just a few thousand above where they began the run-up.
1987–91 Ford Bronco -13%
The full-size platform Bronco was so nice Ford did it thrice. By 1987, the fourth generation (the Bronco’s third as a full-size truck) was released, offering styling updates that gave the popular utility vehicle the look that many think of when you say “Bronco.” These would pay dividends, giving the Bronco a more refined look inside and out. Cosmetics aside, many of the underpinnings of the previous series would remain, from the fuel-injected 302-cubic-inch V-8 engine (a carbureted 351 was optional) to the much misunderstood and somewhat disliked twin traction-beam front axle, which was sort of a rudimentary form of independent front suspension.
Broncos across the board didn’t perform as well as they previously had in the last quarter, perhaps showing that values have finally reached their peak. While first-generation Broncos experienced almost no movement, it was the ’87–91 series that took the biggest hit. These are by no means the most expensive or the most actively sought-after series of Bronco, but the nuance behind the valuation drops tells us something important: While the best examples experienced little movement, lesser vehicles—the driver-quality examples and trucks with flaws—took substantial hits.
We’ve seen this phenomenon before with other models, and it’s usually a sign that buyers are getting picky. Only the best examples will do, and all others need to come at a discount to be worth a buyer’s time. If any lessons can be taken away here, it is that rational market behavior is returning.
1968–70 Dodge Charger R/T -12%
From Bullitt to Dukes of Hazzard and on to the Fast & Furious franchise, even non-enthusiasts know that the ’68–70 Dodge Charger is a legend in the muscle car world. So it should come as no surprise that Chargers posted noticeable gains in early 2022 along with most muscle cars. Even the more baseline models experienced appreciable gains in that timeline.
Values hit a peak in early 2022, and Charger R/Ts have been on a gradual decline since then. The past three months mark the largest decline in Charger R/T values over the last year, however. Meanwhile, values for base trim, small-block cars have remained relatively consistent. Mopar muscle has long been one of many leading indicators for the muscle-car market, so what can we glean from the latest news with the Charger? The muscle car market is settling, not crashing. This is good news; nobody wants to see the market of 2008–09 again.
1989–94 Nissan Skyline GT-R -12%
“Godzilla” has been on a rampage since 2020, posting some of the biggest market gains heading into this past quarter. Alongside the Mk IV Toyota Supra and Acura NSX, Nissan’s GT-R is one of the main halo cars for the hardcore and for the casual Japanese car enthusiast. You probably know the story by now: Japan’s forbidden-fruit GT-R wasn’t available to the U.S. when new, and we always want what we can’t have. It is also one of the more technologically advanced cars outside of the supercar realm of its era, and when you top off those credentials with an unbeatable race history (literally), you have the makings of an all-time great.
The R32-generation (1989–94) GT-R might be the most common of the GT-Rs by a huge margin, but it’s the original Godzilla and a favorite of the GT-R crowd. Despite its own appreciation and the Japanese segment’s growth as a whole, values for the R32 (and even R33) GT-R have experienced a dip recently. Though some make the argument that the R32 is trending down as the R34 generation’s eligibility for import under the 25-year rule gets closer, the price points of the two cars are too far apart for that case to hold water. The likelier cause is twofold: A small corrective measure after years of growth, and the recent glut of iffy examples hitting the market lately, having a minor saturation effect on good examples. That said, this is merely a moment of finding equilibrium: Don’t expect a return to the days of cheap GT-Rs.
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Coming from a Ford guy, it makes sense that the 87-91 “Bricknose” Broncos are the least desirable. Of all Ford trucks from last century, I’d say the 87-91 are the second ugliest, with the 97+ being uglier. Although it’s all relative, I still drive a 1998 F-150 everyday.
Oddly, that nose looks better on the Bronco body then the F-150. Though I do agree that the ninth gen trucks have a great look. My mom owned one of each from that era (’80 F-100, ’88 F-150, and a ’96 F-350 crew cab) and the 96 looked the best.
Put big enough wheels and tires on and the “brick nose” looks a whole lot better.
I have heard these Fords called “Bullnose” and now “Bricknose” but, we have always called them “Flatnose Fords”. Best looking Trucks ever. I have bought and sold several and always made good money on them.
On the Ford forums, the 80-86 are called Bullnose, 87-91 are called Bricknose, and the 92-96 I think are called Aeronose but I don’t feel like that term has caught on as much.
Nobody calls them “OJ nose” or Simpson nose”?
OJ Nose! That’s the best term I’ve ever heard for them. I like it.
Ha! I agree 101% and my driver is a ’93 F150. And my other ride is a ’51 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe
Back in 1975 I had a guy offer me two 1972 Fiat X1/9’s for $1000.00 both didn’t run and both were showing signs of serious rust from being driven in the midwest. I liked the car but turned him down and bought a 1934 Plymouth four door sedan instead.
I know a lady here in ND that has a Fly Yellow X1/9 equipped with the turbo 5spd from a late model Cobalt GT. It’s got some aftermarket, and the wastegate dumps directly into the exhaust tips. The Fiat is likely 800lbs less than the Cobalt. It’s neither comfortable nor modern, but easily serviced at any GM dealer and rippin’ quick. And the backtalk out of the exhaust is legendary, fire and backfire and cool as it gets.
I liked my 89 f150 with the 5.0; i’d drive the Bronco version happily
I’m reminded of a mayor in my hometown. He was harping in his re-election campaign about the reduction in jaywalking downtown. I busted him about continually running the stop sign in front of my house. AND reminded him that a big percentage change of a small number is still a small number.
It’s all statistics and other d**m lies. I’m curious about the sample sizes in this article.
Cheers,
Dave F.
Nailed it!
To set this up, I was in the car biz for 25 years. Importing from Japan to Canada (15 year limit instead of the US 25 year), Canada to the US and vice versa. Sold cars at Mecum/BJ etc where I made a lot of money
The problem with these types of articles is they should be using data of confirmed sale prices- and not ridiculous asking prices advertised on Hemmings etc. We all know that buyers get all pumped up to be on international TV at those auctions and generally pay through the nose.
Hi Dave, author and editor of Hagerty’s price guide here. We actually do use confirmed sales data among many other sources. The article linked below is a good overview of how prices are calculated.
https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/about-our-conditions
Yes, but the point is that most/many or all of the cars sold privately will sell for quite a lot lower than asking.
Like a VW split camper sells at BJ for $150k…then next week are 5 advertised for $140k and… and they never sell.
Yes, that is addressed in that link I posted in my previous post about there the data comes from, including how we do have access to private sales data. Do take some time to peek at the whole thing as it addresses both concerns you’ve voiced so far.
Greg, peek all you want. The TV/internet auction culture is removing the base buyers from the hobby. I love Pontiac GTOs. Most loved are the real street racers- no power anything, manual transmission, crank vent windows, posi 12 bolt axles from 3.90 to Pontiac’s famous 4.33s. I don’t want a show car, I want a solid driver. But. Joe Blow from Kokomo has a ’66 GTO with a questionable 400 TriPower and a 4spd with a Hurst DualGate auto console butchered to accommodate the manual. It’s Starlight Black with a Parchment interior, when the tag says Marina Blue with a blue interior. But this restomod is trumpeted as a “real 242 GTO” in factory correct colors.
Mopars and GTOs are the most misrepresented cars, yet no one wants to fix this. Shame. Given your position, you should be on this like stink on $hit.
I’ve got a 40th Anniversary Holden GTO with the optional 6spd Tremec crunch box in TorRed, and a ’66 4bbl 389 with a Muncie close ratio 4spd and the 4.33 axle- in Madeira Maroon, black interior and the ’70s obligatory Cragar S/S rims, no power anything and 4 wheel drums. There’s a lot I could do to make these more modern and “driveable”. And all of it would be wrong. I have rear quarter rust on the ’66 and sun split leather on the ’04. And it doesn’t detract from my enjoyment, nor the enjoyment of the car show peeps not one whit.
I could build the LS motor ’04 to the sky. I could TriPower 421SD and put Royal Bobcat emblems on the ’66. But it’s a lie. The value is in what these cars are, not what they could be. And the auction culture is killing real cars owned by real people.
I’ll die on this hill.
When you have a car insured with Hagerty and you sell it they ask you very nicely how much you sold it for. I’m sure they use this as one of the ways to establish what cars are selling for. Hagerty isn’t a small business down on the corner of your hometown. I’m sure they have a pretty good data base and continually update it. I have found their articles run pretty true. The biggest mystery to me is that Hagerty puts a free service online for us and all I ever hear is complaining on here. Why do these same complainers continue to read the articles if they are so bad ??????
You are about as sharp as a bowling ball aren’t you. Why do you people have to bring politics into everything ????
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Figures don’t lie but liars figure
Chargers loosing value? Maybe you should attend the Carlisle Chrysler show or the MoPar Nats, and still check Hemmings. I’m not seeing it.
Hi Bill, yes, asking prices are still up there, but confirmed transactions are telling a different story. Remember, anyone can ask what they’d like, how long they sit at that price is a lot more telling when it comes to whether or not a buyer agrees the price is reasonable.
In this case, we need to split the difference, there are still cars asking good money, but when others are selling for less, you can’t ignore that either. There was probably room for a bigger reduction if we were a guide that only looked at auction transactions.
Those cars are only losing steam because they aren’t affordable.
Ya Think ????
Right on Travis.
What does “loosing” mean? Looked it up; you and lots of other car people have created a new word.
‘Camero’, ‘breaks’, “car’s been ‘setting’; “to much to list”. US car people and spelling, wow. Maybe English not their first language? That must be it. It certainly can’t be a failing education system in our ‘greatest county on earth’.
I agre 100 pur cent!
You’re missing something on the Aston. A three pedal car is a rare and beautiful thing indeed. The values of these are only going one way!
Only among the older demographic which is getting smaller. The newer buyers in the hobby don’t put much stock in the clutch pedal.
You mean I might have a Charger before I die? Nah…unlikely.
On another note, my brother had the Fiat. It was fun when it ran, which was almost never.
I think these price trends are extrapolated from the # of inquiries, aren’t they ? I can’t speak for most of the examples on this list, but 2nd-gen Chargers don’t seem to be softening from what I see. Even a rusty pile, stripped of most of its parts, are priced and selling for amounts that make no financial sense. What is likely happening is that they’re generally so far out of reach of most folks that there aren’t as many coverage inquiries.
Watch a little closer. Yes they are still asking big money and a few are selling but there is a softening trend and I’m seeing it more and more. I’m starting to see more projects coming up also. I believe a lot of guys are finally realizing they don’t have the skills or time/money to complete them.
My friend bought a new Fiat X19 when they came out. Black, saddle interior, it was gorgeous…. for about 5 minutes. Spent most of its time at the dealer (the service writer was a surly sort, he was up against “unhappy” customers warranty work.
It was sold in less than a year.
Those that remember these new, know what complete piles they were. I’m honestly shocked any are still running.
I absolutely agree. My wife’s friend bought one brand new. It was always broken. She only kept it one year. They are total junk, same as the new ones.
As an owner of an 1987 Bertone (Fiat) X1/9 that has 160,000 miles and still runs like a champ, I have to respond to Mr Know-it-all’s comment. This is the fourth X-1/9 I have owned since 1975 and haven’t regretted one second of enjoying one of the unknown pleasures in the automotive world.
+1 – I had two X’s once upon a time….the first – a ’77 – made multiple runs between Spokane, WA and Los Angles, not to mention numerous trips around the PNW and never missed a beat. The second – an ’80 – I ran up to 95k miles and was every bit as reliable as my ’69 GTO. I would throw a cover on it in November, take it off in March, charge the battery, and the thing never failed to light-up like I’d driven it the day before.
The X was/is an amazing vehicle: inexpensive, Bertone design, handled like it was on rails, roomy interior, opportunity for open-air motoring, could swallow more luggage than it had any right to, and amazing fuel economy.
If I could find the right one, I’d own another X in a heartbeat.
I bought a 124 Sport Coupe new in 1970. A ton of fun to drive and it outperformed the popular British sports cars of the day, but it was materially a load of crap. Two steering boxes, two starters and a complete interior replacement later I dumped it and bought a 1 year old ’72 Datsun 240Z. IMHO, buying multiple Fiats is like backing the Titanic up and ramming the iceberg multiple times.
Now that there is funny, I don’t care how you rate Fiats. I had a ’69 124 Coupe. What a great handling car. But being in NH I could hear it rusting away after on a few years. Traded it for a Karman Ghia convertible and never regretted owning one or selling one.
Wish I’d said that! Wait – I will!
Referring to the Titanic comment.
When something is 25-30% over priced to begin with, a 12% loss is not so bad.
Oh well! I agree with the majority above re the styling of the later model Broncos.
Twin I Beams was a great idea from Ford. It allowed the simplicity of a ‘king pin” front end with independent front suspension. That suspension handled rough roads with aplomb (with perhaps double shocks) and when it came time to service the plastic bushings and king pins, it could be done much faster and cheaper than ball joints.
My favourite Bronco was the first iteration (maybe because of my advancing age here!) I worked as a mechanic for a Ford dealership in those days and I fondly remember a customer that had one (the vehicle, not the customer). He often took the top off and of course it sported oversize tires. I’d love to own one now as I did then! (hard on U joints though)
Again Hagerty, I really enjoy this weekend article. . . keep it coming!
For Me? There is only (2) worth getting in trouble with the wife over in This list…but like most Gear Nuts that’s not even the first hurdle…*What is the Number One reason Why we don’t get another vehicle?*
As the previous long term owner of an ’83 Bronco XLT and the current owner of a ’95 Bronco XLT, I don’t see how the collector community manages to find three different generations in the ’80-’96 Broncos. Beyond some sheet metal and the normal progression of drive train upgrades, there isn’t a hell of a lot of difference between the two that I’ve owned. Basically the same truck. And, while I’m on the subject, I have a ’69 Mustang convertible and I wonder how the collector community manages to find that the ’71-’73 Mustangs are part of the first gen cars. Different platform wheel base and different platform. Finally, I personally think the Brick Noses are really ugly. Wouldn’t be caught dead in one.
Nice article.
Sorry guys at Hagerty. This list is just a lame list of used cars that have never been that popular with the exception of the early Dodge Chargers that had a rooftop that the Confederate flag fit to a tea. Look I know it becomes very difficult to post interesting or even somewhat interesting used and collectors every week. Starting in 2014 I have been publishing a website on collector cars of interest. I had a very high number of viewers for at least 5 or 6 years. Google RPMs were well over $3. But that is all history as of today. Views are down and RPMs have dipped to under $2 at times. It’s simply very difficult to find collector cars that interest most of my viewers. The top of the market collector cars are going for well over a $million. My belief is that most car nuts are realizing those prices are simply fantasy for even a well heeled collector. They can only sit in a temperature controlled garage and maintenance can cost more than a middle of the road condo (which here in California is ridiculous in and of itself). Even those collectors can’t enjoy driving those gems on the road. Surely you writers at Hagerty know that. So I’m not giving you info that you don’t already know. So what can we car enthusiast writers and/or publishers write about that will continue the interest of our car enthusiast readers? I hope you can help me with that. I must admit I simply don’t know anymore. So if you have some good advice can you please share it with me?
There are lots of very expensive cars, but it all comes down to the fact that everyone enjoys this hobby differently. Is the 1965 Chevrolet Corvair that I love to drive and work on a “lame used car?” It was and continues to be an attainable and fun to own vintage car with interesting history and design all priced well below the value of a condo in any state.
I have a ’67 Corvair Monza and I am always astounded that prices have not increased more than they have. Since I have no plans to sell mine (and I will bequeath it to my son) it doesn’t bother me.
Well, it happened to me but I don’t know about this being true in general, but I gravitated to vintage bikes when I was priced out of the vintage car market. Now I restore older BMW motorcycles, many with sidecars. Still as much fun to ride, a lot of clubs, and not nearly as expensive to own
This article interested me. I actually enjoy a lot of the articles on this site. Articles like this, or about everyday DIY cheap fixes, or inexpensive cars, etc. are my favorites. The series from Matthew Anderson on his cheap Communist or French cars is great. I skip over over the high end car articles 100% of the time.