Copyright 2011 F+W Media, Inc.
Krause Publications, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
www.krausebooks.com To order books or other products call toll-free 1-800-258-0929
or visit us online at www.krausebooks.com or www.Shop.Collect.com ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-2377-8
INTRODUCTION
The market for cars more than 25 years old may be stronger than ever. Some buyers of pre-1985 cars are collectors who purchase vehicles that they particularly enjoy, or feel are likely to increase in value the older they get. Other buyers prefer the looks, size, performance, and reliability of what they think of as yesterdays better-built automobiles. With a typical year 2010 model selling for around $30,000, many Americans find themselves priced out of the new-car market.
Late-model used cars are pricey too, although often short on distinctive looks and roominess. The older cars may use more fuel, but their purchase prices are typically a whole lot less. New cars and late-model used cars tend to depreciate rapidly in value. Many cant tow large trailers or mobile homes. Their high-tech engineering is often expensive to maintain or repair. In contrast, well-kept older cars are mechanically simpler, but often very powerful.
In addition, they generally appreciate in value as they grow more scarce and collectible. Even insuring them is generally cheaper. Selecting a car and paying the right price for it are two considerations old-car buyers face. What should you look for when inspecting a collector car to buy? What are some of the pros and cons of buying a collector car at auction? How much can I spend in restoring my collector vehicle without exceeding its current cash value? The 2010 edition of Collector Car Price Guide, from F+W Publications, answers these questions and many more. It shows the most popular models made between 1901 and 2002 and points out what they sell for today in six different, graded conditions. Contained herein are the same data gathered for publication in Old Cars Price Guide, a highly-specialized magazine used by collectors, dealers, appraisers, auctioneers, lenders, and insurers to determine valid pricing levels for older vehicles.
Representing up-to-date market research, it is presented in a convenient-sized format that is easy to read, easy to use, and easy to store on your bookshelf.
HOW OLD CAR PRICES ARE GATHERED
Thousands of old cars change hands each year. People who follow these transactions include collectors, collector car dealers and auctioneers. They can often estimate the value of an old car, within a range of plus or minus 10 percent, with amazing accuracy.
Collector Car Price Guide has been produced by F+W Publications of Iola, Wis., a company involved in publishing specialized books and magazines upon which collectors, dealers and auctioneers regularly rely. Figures listed in this book should be taken as ballpark prices.
They are amounts that fall within a reasonable range of each cars value to buyers and sellers. The figures are not to be interpreted as wholesale or retail. Rather, they reflect what an informed buyer might pay a knowledgeable seller for his car in an arms length transaction without duress to either party. Special cases, where nostalgia or other factors enter into the picture, must be judged on an individual basis. This guide can help you to decide which old car youd like to own and how much to pay for it based on year, make, model and condition. It provides a consensus of old car values determined by careful research.
Research sources used to compile these data include:
- Advertised asking prices
- Documented private sales
- Professional appraisers
- Collector car auction results
- Old Cars Price Guide advisors
- Contact with dealers
- Contact with collectors
- Networking with value sources
ABBREVIATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
A/C | Air Conditioning |
Aero | Aerodynamic |
Auto | Automatic Transmission |
A/W or A-W | All-Weather |
Berl | Berline |
Brgm | Brougham |
Brn | Brunn |
BT | Boattail |
Bus | Business (as in Bus Cpe) |
Cabr | Cabriolet |
C.C.. | Close-Coupled |
cid | Cubic Inch Displacement |
Clb | Club (as in Clb Cpe/Clb Cab) |
Cpe | Coupe |
Coll | Collapsible (as in Semi-Coll) |
Cont | Continental |
Conv | Convertible |
Ctry | Country |
Cus | Custom |
DC | Dual-Cowl |
Darr | Darrin |
DeL | Deluxe |
Der | Derham |
deV | deVille |
DHC | Drop Head Coupe |
Dly | Delivery (as in Sed Dly) |
Dtrch | Dietrich |
DuW | Dual Windshield |
DW | Division Window |
Encl | Enclosed |
FBk | Fastback |
FHC | Fixed Head Coupe |
FI | Fuel Injection |
FmL | Formal |
FWD | Front-Wheel Drive |
GT | Gran Turismo (Grand Touring) |
GW | Gull-Wing |
HBk | Hatchback |
Hemi | Hemispherical-head engine |
Hlbrk | Holbrook |
hp | Horsepower |
HT | Hardtop |
Imp | Imperial |
IPC | Indy (Indianapolis) Pace Car |
IROC | International Race of Champions |
Jud | Judkins |
Lan | Landau |
Lanlet | Landaulet |
LBx | Long Box (pickup truck bed) |
LeB or Leb | LeBaron |
LHD | Left-Hand Drive |
Limo | Limousine |
Ltd | Limited |
Lke | Locke |
LWB | Long-Wheelbase |
Mk | Mark (I, II, III, etc) |
O/D | Overdrive |
Opt |