Over the last few months I have been doing quite a bit of shopping for a later model (70's or early 80s) Cadillac and it has been surprising how many low mileage, great condition and reasonably priced ($7K - $12K) purchase opportunities are available. Most model year and drive train combos can be found if you watch the auctions over a two to three week time frame. My shopping and the excellent selection drove me to make a purchase, and now potentially another. But it makes me wonder if we are in the last ever, great US collectable car buying era. A period where the last grouping of affordable and collectable cars are available, specifically Cadillacs, that were extremely well taken care of by original owners, and driven sparingly. Let's face it, after the later 80s and early 90s, the options for future collectable US cars are slim at best and the numbers of low mileage Cadillacs that were properly serviced and garaged by an original owner will only decrease in the next few years. Besides Cadillacs, there really is no other large grouping of US car brands/models that were so widely owned and pampered. So it really begs the question - Are we living in the last, great collector car buying era? Or, am I just rationalizing my need to round out the collection with a mid to late 70s CDV?
The desire for 1980's and 1990's cars. Everyone says that as time passes merely aging increases the value of them. That is not true, as I remember what 1980's cars were selling for in 2005 when I bought my 1970 Cadillac. While the price of my 1970 has gone up at least 50% (worth double what I paid, but I have improved it), it does not seem that the 1980's cars have gone up as much. Plus most every car made in the 1960's thru 1970's is collectable, whereas this is not true for 1980's and 1990's.
Younger people are not interested in cars like my generation (I'm 57), the Millennial and Gen Z do not have as much interest in cars.
Regarding the reported upsurge in 1983 values - I think is at least partially due to new buyers coming into the market who are unfamiliar with the maladies of the HT4100 models.
Percentages really mean nothing. If the average price of an HT4100 equipped Coupe de Ville over the analysis period was $1000 at the start, a 47% increase makes it a $1470 car, so the actual difference is really much smaller than a 13% gain on a much higher valued car.It's the actual dollars and cents that mean something - not percentages.
The days of finding a really nice classic car for $3000-$5000 are gone. Anything in that price range now needs a ton of restoration, or if it is nice it gets snapped up by the flippers and is on there website for $15000-$18000 before they even get it back to their property.
Well I do agree those 1977-79 Cadillacs are undervalued. My best friend's Dad had a brand new 1978 Cadillac when I was in high school. It was fast and cool. He also owned a 1977 Cadillac too and bought a brand new car every year. He said the 1977 was faster than the 78. He opted for the Lincoln in 1979 (last of the big ones) which with a 400 engine was slow as a VW, big mistake - he should have bought the 1979 Cadillac with the performance rear axle. The 1977 - 79 Cadillacs were powerful and cool.You can get statistics to support anything, and most everyone reading this would rather drive a 1972 Cadillac than a 1982, and would rather restore a 1971 all metal Cadillac than a 1987 DeVille due to plastic and computer parts.
Statistically speaking yes, but personally? I’d rather own a 77-79 Brougham instead!! Much nicer looking and quality interior over the 72, and even looks wise I prefer the 77-79 just because the Cadillac of this era was well thought out and very lavishly detailed with ornamentation which I love....Now on the other hand, the majority of all 50’s Cadillacs in decent looking, to restored condition, the price range for these cars is astronomical!! 60’s Caddy’s are still obtainable price wise for some people, but they too are becoming pretty pricey for a beginner Cadillac enthusiast to buy and fix up.Speaking of 80’s Cadillacs, I might be buying an 87 Brougham this weekend! I have always loved the D’Elegance interiors of them and honestly feel like they are one of nicest looking and feeling interiors Cadillac made besides for the 66 on down Cadillacs.....I truly believe after 92, Cadillacs became extremely bland, too modern and plastic ridden cars. More so than than the 80’s years. Thus not making them collector car worthy especially since they lost their traditionally styled Brougham after 92....
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Topic: Are we living in the last, best collector car buying era? (Read 3780 times)
