Hemmings' 1997-98 Top Ten List of 'Potentially Profitable' Collector Cars Includes U.S., English and Swedish Marques
22 August 1997
Hemmings' 1997-98 Top Ten List of 'Potentially Profitable' Collector Cars Includes U.S., English and Swedish Marques
BENNINGTON, Vt., Aug. 22 -- There's an alternative to sporty
new cars costing $25,000 or more. A savvy car shopper can actually buy a car
and possibly end up making money instead of simply spending it.
The strategy, says Hemmings Motor News editor Dave Brownell, is to buy a
vintage car instead of a new one. And among the oldies, the trick is to find
cars that are overlooked and underpriced. These "sleepers" can be bought for
as little as several hundred dollars -- but they'll need plenty of restoration
work at that price -- to around the price level of a well-equipped new
subcompact econobox.
Brownell's 1997-98 "top ten sleepers" among collector cars as announced at
Hemming Motor News' Annual Media Motor Show:
1. 1960-70 Volvo 122-S. These sturdy Swedes came in two and four door
versions as well as station wagons. Their longevity is legendary, with many
examples easily turning over 200,000 miles before needing major attention.
Pleasantly styled but tough as an anvil, they are just now becoming scarce
enough to be the object of collector interest. Parts and service are still
easy to come by. Recent asking prices seen in Hemmings: a '66 four door for
$3300 and a '67 two-door sedan for $3800.
2. 1948-51 Willys Jeepster. Distinctively styled by Brooks Stevens, with
some running gear derived from the WW2 Jeep, this two wheel drive sportster
can be called America's last phaeton. Borg-Warner overdrive allows easy
50 mph cruising; loads of interior room makes it a good choice as a family
"fun" collector car. Bog-simple mechanicals for easy restoration plus top-
down enjoyment when the sun shines. Recent asking prices seen in Hemmings: a
'5O Jeepster in good condition for $4200 and a "near perfect" '49 model for
$7500.
3. 1963-65 Ford Falcon Futura/Falcon Sprint convertibles. Mustangs on the
cheap. With virtually the same running gear as the better-known ponycar these
are indeed sleepers of the first rank. Parts are abundant, the cars are
simple and strong and right now the price is right, whether you choose the six
cylinder models or the rarer, hotter V-8s. Recent asking prices seen in
Hemmings: a '64 that "needs rust repair" for $1900 and a '64 with 302 V-8 for
$5950.
4. 1966 Thunderbird convertible. Now that the T-Bird itself is dead,
though rumors of its revival are heard occasionally, this last convertible
Thunderbird should continue to gain in collector interest. With a
disappearing top a la Lincoln Continental and Ford Skyliner, 390 V-8
motivation and sleek mid-sixties styling, this final year of the fourth
generation T-Birds could be real sleepers in time to come. Recent asking
prices seen in Hemmings: two good examples for $13,500 each.
5. 1965-68 Plymouth Sport Fury convertibles. These cars are long-shots as
investments, as are most MoPars from the '60s. However, the good mechanicals,
restrained and consistent styling and colorful interiors plus relatively low
production figures compared to Ford and Chevy rivals might just appeal to
those collectors seeking something a little different. Recent asking prices
seen in Hemmings: a 1965 needing full restoration for $1950 or best offer and
an original, 30,000 mile 1966 for $13,500.
6. 1959-62 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertibles. Less flashy and less
pricey to buy than their Starfire convertible brothers, these cars offer
strong performance, distinctive looks and proven powertrains in a top-down
package. Relatively few were produced: 8,491 in 1959, 12,271 in 1960 and only
2,624 in 1961. Recent asking prices seen in Hemmings: a low mileage, original
1961 for $9450 and another 1961 for $700 or best offer.
7. 1964-66 Imperial convertibles. 1966 models are considered the last
"real" Imperials because of their separate body/chassis construction. Seldom
seen new or now; just 922 were built in 1964; 633 in 1965 and only 514 in
1966. First-cabin workmanship and materials, understated good looks and
altogether the last true dreamboats from Chrysler make these Imps worth
seeking out. Recent asking price seen in Hemmings: a 1966 described as "nice"
for $4650.
8. 1963-67 Buick Wildcat convertibles. The Wild car was Buick's response
to the non-letter series Chrysler 300. Sporty interior, floor shift, mag-
style wheels add visual appeal to this full size Buick. Performance is more
than adequate and there's plenty of torque on tap. These cars seem rather
underpriced presently. Recent asking prices in Hemmings: a 1964 for $4500 or
best offer and another '64, "very complete and restorable" for $2900.
9. 1964-67 Sunbeam Tigers. The Clark Kent of performance collectibles.
Mild-looking Sunbeam hides Ford 260/289 V-8 under the hood. A sleeper in both
senses: as a powerhouse and a car with room to grow as an investment. They've
been called cut-rate Cobras and that's an apt description. Recent asking
prices in Hemmings: a 1965 with hardtop for $8500 and a 1967 for $12,900.
10. 1984-86 Mustang SVO Turbo coupes. A rarity even when new, these
2.3 liter four cylinder cars could develop better than 1 bhp per cube and can
be rightfully called a street-legal race car. Perhaps because they never
established themselves as a force in racing these cars today can be picked up
for very little money considering the performance punch they deliver. Recent
asking prices seen in Hemmings: a 1985 with zero miles for $18,000 and a high-
mileage '84 for $2800.
The Hemmings editor noted that no one should set out to buy a collectable
car solely for investment or speculation. "The first rule to remember is: buy
a car you like. Then if the market goes sideways there will still be a car in
your garage that you can drive and own with pride and satisfaction," he
concluded.
SOURCE Hemmings Motor News
