Originally Posted by FriendlyFire
On the contrary, there are several valid comparisons you can draw:
1. The Superbird was a fairly expensive niche vehicle at the time, like the SRT6.
2. They didn't sell very well either. There were many new untitled Superbirds on dealer lots well into '71, and even '72. By the gas crunch days... You couldn't give one away. (they took a huge depriciation, just like the SRT6)
Collectability is such a fickle thing. 86-87 Grand Natoinals were socked away in garages by the thousands. As a result there are tons of nice ones out there, and they aren't skyrocketing in value.
Generally the cars that end up collectible were either ones that people had or wanted as a youngster, or ones that have aged well and/or represent an automotive milestone.
The SRT6 is/was a beautiful design that is often confused for a current 2011 model today. I think it's lines will age very well compared to other cars of it's era. It has high performance, (almost a nesessity for collectibility) and was built in very low numbers. (and the way insurance companies write these cars off, they are becoming more scarce nearly every day.)
I think it has a far better shot at being desirable/collectible in 30 years than most of the cars of it's era.
That being said, I would not ferret it away as an investment. Drive it, love it, keep it.
It might just be worth a fortune one day. You never know!
I AGREE with this post!!!!
But there is a BIG difference with the Superbird
1) Nascar history!!
2) Big block Muscle Car Craze---THAT was the catalyst which drove the crazy demand/ prices!!!
With the Grand National---Turbo V6 from the 80's---No big deal!! Yes, fastest production car in 86, still no one REALLY cares---not enough to make it a GREAT investment!!! Other investments would have been better over the last 25 years!!! Did not have a V6 turbo, 80's car catalyst, and I doubt we will!!!
My question---What will be the catalyst to drive the demand in the future for the Crossfire? Hybrid German-American cars from the 2000's?
If the "group" like muscle car demand did not rise, the Superbird would not have gone crazy, nor would have Hemi Cudas, etc. Neither sold well at the time, BUT the Muscle Car Craze drove them and due to the lower numbers compared to a Camaro or Mustang, they were getting a higher price.
This car is a GREAT deal for the money, but that is it! Look at other AMG cars---NONE are off-the-charts collector cars---but as it was said---"Collectability is such a fickle thing"---I say---drive it and enjoy it---Best BANG-FOR-THE-BUCK out there---At full price when they first came out, not so much!!! But the 5 year old used market---YES!!! I paid $19,655 for one with 917 miles on it this time last year. A little high at the time, but way lower than the $46,800 sticker that was in the glove box that the owner kept. There is NO WAY I can lose $27,145 (assuming that he paid full price) unless I PAY to have it taken away.
JUST DRIVE IT and wear a grin!!!!