  Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 9443 Registered: 09-2005 |
August 20, 2007 EYES ON THE ROAD By JOSEPH B. WHITE Would-Be Classic Cars Will the Cars of Today Catch On With Collectors And Auto Buffs of the Future? To everything there is a season, and this is the season for automotive nostalgia. This past weekend, around a million people converged on the stretch of Woodward Avenue between Pontiac, Mich. and Ferndale, Mich. for the annual "Woodward Dream Cruise," a celebration of the Motor City's glory days made that much more emotional by the present day tribulations of Detroit's Not So Big Three. Meanwhile, in Monterey, Calif., a smaller and generally wealthier crowd of car aficionados assembled for the annual Pebble Beach Automotive Weekend, a festival that celebrates the automobile as collectible fine art. Readers, over to you: Is your current car more likely to be considered a classic 25 years from now or will it end up in a junkyard? In the decades ahead, what will classic car fanatics be parading down Woodward Ave. or bidding on at Pebble Beach? Discuss2.These events represent two distinct branches of American car culture, separated at one level by the number of digits in the personal net worth of the average attendee. Among the Dream Cruise's signature cars this year was the 1957 Chevy Bel Air, celebrating its 50th Anniversary. At Pebble Beach, the featured makes were Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg and Aston Martin. Among the cars expected to generate particular excitement at Pebble, according to AutoWeek magazine's Larry Edsall (related article3), was an unrestored 1950 Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta found languishing under some rugs in the Arizona desert – the automotive equivalent of finding a Picasso in Granny's attic. So 25 years from now, what will classic car fanatics be parading down Woodward Avenue or bidding on at Pebble Beach? What cars will emerge from beneath oily rags to delight some middle-aged buff in 2032? Will we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1982 Chrysler LeBaron? It's not an easy question. There have been some fairly severe automotive design droughts during the past 25 years or so. Will someone who discovers a 1982 Chevrolet Citation under a drop cloth in the old barn experience any form of excitement – unless that person happens to need something to run in a demolition derby? A visit to the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg museum in Auburn, Ind. can challenge your belief in industrial progress. The distinctive artistry of the flamboyant Duesenbergs, the Auburn Boat Tail Speedster and the 1930s Cords with their art deco front ends puts most of what passes for premium cars today to shame. Still, experts in the business of automotive culture, design and collecting say there will be a vibrant classic car scene years from now, particularly if car fans broaden their minds. At the high end, the key to collectibility will, as always, be rarity. Exotic cars such as the Bugatti Veyron, as well as certain limited run Ferraris and Porsches will likely grace Pebble Beach auctions of the future, says Rob Myers, founder of RM Auctions, the big classic car restoration and auction company that runs a sports and classic car auction at Pebble Beach. Mr. Myers points to some more attainable cars that could find favor in the future, including the Datsun 240Z and the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler. A few 1980s and 1990s Detroit cars could have promise, too, he says, such as the limited production Buick GNX, or special edition Ford Mustangs such as the Bullitt model. Chrysler designer Ralph Gilles, who led the styling team for the popular Chrysler 300, says in an email he expects cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the Pontiac Solstice convertible, the original Audi TT, the new Beetle and the Mini Cooper S will have a following in the future. He also puts in a vote for several Chrysler models, including the Viper, Prowler, the convertible PT Cruiser, the forthcoming Challenger and the 300C in "modified form." Mr. Gilles gets a seconding vote for the 300C, specifically the limited run SRT8 model, from automotive consultant Jim Hall of AutoPacific Corp. Mr. Hall says Cadillac CTS-V series models equipped with 5.7 liter engines will be collectible as well, because informed enthusiasts (such as himself) will know that these engines used certain exotic racing technology, such as titanium rods, to achieve extra power. Future Woodward Dream cruises could also feature more cars from the extreme edge of today's tuner culture. "You will see crazy hot Honda Civics, I mean crazy hot," says Mr. Hall. "Three hundred to 500 horsepower going through the front wheels. It's an internal combustion hand grenade." One challenge Mr. Hall predicts will confront collectors who want to preserve today's cars as future classics: Maintaining and replacing the on-board computers. "There will be a business for someone who can build a generic computer, plug and play" to allow a current car to keep rolling 25 years from now, he says. As for cars of the late 1970s and early 1980s, which technically are rolling into their first years as "classics" by some definitions, Christian Overland, vice president for museums and collections at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Mich., makes an optimistic case. "People are collecting their youth," Mr. Overland says. Lots of people were young in the 1970s and 1980s, even if Detroit was in one of its dark periods. Popular culture in America has tended to cycle between periods when people looked to the past for fashion, art and architecture, and periods when the culture embraced dramatically new styles that broke with the past, Mr. Overland says. "We are in a revival mode" now, he says. That accounts for such varied phenomena as the fad of pimping out mid-1970's Chevy Impalas with massive wheels, or the VH1 series that reverentially revisits the pop culture and music of the 1980s. In this context, Mr. Overland says even some dubious cars of the late 1970s and 1980s are enjoying a renaissance. "People are starting to collect AMC Pacers," Mr. Overland says. Gremlins and Pintos are showing up at the Henry Ford's annual Motor Muster classic car event. Last year, he says, someone from Kentucky arrived in a fully restored sunburnt orange Pinto with a beige leather interior. "That thing had it all," he says. Hmm. Maybe I should have kept that 1982 Toyota Starlet. • Send comments about Eyes on the Road to joseph.white@wsj.com5. | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 139 Registered: 01-2007 |
Aftermarket companies that produce accessories for late model cars will produce trim, panels, and mechanical items for future collector cars. Examples include mid '90s Impala SS, Mustangs, Fieros, Jeep Wranglers, pickups, and Japanese tuner cars. | ||
Emuaaron Member Username: Emuaaron Post Number: 23 Registered: 07-2005 |
The obvious answer is the Ford Contour. | ||
Mallory Member Username: Mallory Post Number: 174 Registered: 05-2006 |
And the Delorean ain't nothing to sneeze at either. | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 1337 Registered: 02-2007 |
The SVT contour was a nice package | ||
Higgs1634 Member Username: Higgs1634 Post Number: 156 Registered: 10-2005 |
The Pontiac Aztec has got to be the Edsel of our generation. | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1469 Registered: 08-2006 |
Basically front drive = day to day transport and holds no increasing value. Except for the rare Shelby Omni, no one cares to save these cars. Our fall from grace occurred after the fuel shortages and subsequently trying to keep up with japan. That mentality lead to meetings which discussed how to get a car's weight down, bye bye chrome and HELLO PLASTIC, and really, an overall focus on cost rather then appeal. | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2007 |
To see what classics people are buying, Go to: http://www.hemmings.com/classi fieds/carswanted/?current_inde x=0&sort=year&adtype=carswante d&make=&model=&price_max=&pric e_min=&year_min=&year_max=&typ e=&year=&no_dealer=&show_all=& dealer_id=&keywords=&zip=&rang e_miles=&range_lat=&range_lon= &id_in=&issue_date=&prev_pdf_i ndex=&next_pdf_index=&with_ima ges=&sort=year%20desc | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 140 Registered: 01-2007 |
Lack of available plastic and fiberglass trim will be the death of restoring many less popular models. | ||
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity Post Number: 897 Registered: 01-2005 |
'96 Impala SS | ||
Detroitgt Member Username: Detroitgt Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2007 |
I do not see too many daily drivers as being "classics" like the 64 Impalas, Ford Galaxy's..etc. Cars now are more disposable in peoples minds; they do not take care or have any pride in them like they use to. Not to mention the inability to work on them in the average garage. However there are a few that I think will be seen as classics... Corvette (inevitable) Fiero's (pushing 25 years old now, and you can see the increased values each year) Aztec's (because of their unique "ugly" styling) Plymouth Prowlers Late model (1994-2002) Firebird / Camaro. Mid 90's RWD Impala's Late 80's to mid 90's RWD T-Bird and Cougar. Any Domestic Large Luxury SUV from the late 90's to current. (Given the gas issues, these can't last forever and will be one of a kind in a decade or two) | ||
Mpow Member Username: Mpow Post Number: 272 Registered: 11-2003 |
The 1978 LTD is a beautiful car. | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1471 Registered: 08-2006 |
"The 1978 LTD is a beautiful car." I liked all those big Fords. I own a '74 Country Squire. That body reigned from 1965 to 1978 and all those Big Fords were good looking rides. That was when Ford "had it". | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9898 Registered: 12-2003 |
Doesn't a classic have to last twenty five years? I think Detroit discounted themselves from this equation when they made a 120k mile limit to their designs. That said, my old maroon-red Contour SVT was the most attention getting vehicle I've ever owned...only one I've driven that got MORE was a 911 convertible in Manhattan Beach, CA. People would stop me on the road to ask me what it was, then when I was blasting on I-75 I'd notice a gaggle of people trying to keep up. Nobody ever passed me in that thing. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 5756 Registered: 11-2004 |
Someone told me the Buick Riviera with that bobtail back could be a future classic as well as Kharman Ghias. Who knows? Only time will tell. Fun debate though. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1655 Registered: 12-2005 |
One big thing that will make "future classic" status difficult for today's cars is microprocessors. Today’s cars have complex engine management computer systems that work great now, might keep on working indefinitely, might not. If NOT is the reality, someone is going to have to engineer a replacement computer, with all of the response curves and sensor inputs programmed in--for each engine! I can still clean up the points on my straight 6 Chevy engine (1963) or my V-8 Packard engine, no problem--back up and running. | ||
Ericdetfan Member Username: Ericdetfan Post Number: 137 Registered: 02-2007 |
my 82 ford EXP is coming up on 25 years old. I think EXP's will be a collectors items some day. esp the 82-85 models. The people at www.fordexp.com sure seem to think so (i'm a member). My 82 is a project car and is a long way from being done tho. | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1481 Registered: 08-2006 |
You never see those anymore. As I recall it was basically an Escort with a sportier body? Same engine and platform right? Sort of like the Dodge 024 Charger or Escort ZX2. | ||
Mallory Member Username: Mallory Post Number: 177 Registered: 05-2006 |
Smogboy, are you referring to the smaller sized Rivi, the one that was out before they changed the whole thing and made it look like a turd (tapered end and all)? I used to have one of the older ones, I think it was an 89 or 90, with a all-digital dashboard, that I thought was the ish. Until it got stolen. When I heard the talk about the "new Riviera," I couldn't wait to go to that year's auto show to see it. Once I saw it, hated it BIG time. Then two or three years later it was gone. As for the Aztec, the first time I saw it, I was reminded of the old dinky LeMans that Pontiac had out in the 80's. I thought the Aztec looked like that LeMans on steroids. Ugliest car ever! | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1992 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think the 96.5 Ford Probe GT has a lot of promise. I had one, nice ground effects, big chrome wheels, and that model (I almost NEVER see any like the one I had) do not have the tacky plastic door protector strip down the side of them. The 24 valve V6, DOHC moved it pretty nicely. Mine was laser red, and definitely turned some heads when it was all shined up. Oh, I miss that car. It looked somewhat like this.  But the earlier Probes, and even the non-GT probes of this model just didn't look as good at all. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1662 Registered: 12-2005 |
The Aztec looked like big HVAC ducting to me. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 1993 Registered: 10-2003 |
My mom always thought it looked like a small garbage truck. | ||
Rb336 Member Username: Rb336 Post Number: 1396 Registered: 02-2007 |
I loved my EXP. yes, escort platform, two seats, totally different sheet metal | ||
Brougham Member Username: Brougham Post Number: 30 Registered: 01-2007 |
Deloreans production resumes on a smaller scale. A Texas man bought the parts inventory and named his Business DMC with the approval of J Delorean before he died. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20 378293/ | ||
Fordaspiregv Member Username: Fordaspiregv Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2007 |
I think you will find more and more people collecting and modifying just about any car. I have a 1997 Mercury Sable that I have modded with pretty much every bolt on I could find. I also was a part of a group that modified Ford Festiva and Aspire models. If it has four wheels, someone would like it enough to collect them. I am sure there is a large group of Chevette owners out there that love their cars, for their own reasons. http://www.fordtaurus.net/sabl e.htm | ||
Hpgrmln Member Username: Hpgrmln Post Number: 105 Registered: 06-2007 |
Ive been predicting the Probe Gt myself. Any sports car holds at least a little potential. I'm thinking the Toyota Mr2 should not be overlooked. Whenever a car is supposed to be "collectible" straight from the factory, it rarely ever becomes so.People still think the Cadillac Allante or Buick reatta are future collectibles but I don't know anyone who wants one. Special edition Fieros are getting there.Base-model 1984-5 Fiero's, not so sure. Also, the last caprices (bathtub style). previous cap's are popular to modify, so just by being the last of its kind, its almost certain.However, just because something is no longer made doesn't mean it's collectible.The Amc Concord probably won't ever be, and Studebakers are some of the lowest-priced old cars out there.Don't save a Plymouth Breeze or Olds Cutlass Ciera (or Alero for that matter) because the brand is discontinued. That alone does not increase collectibility.But in the case of the Caprice, if its a MODEL thats been in production a long time and gaining a following with customizers or modifiers, then its possible. | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1664 Registered: 12-2005 |
Hpgrmln--Studebaker owners are the cheapest bastards in the hobby. The cars are relatively cheap, and they wince at paying anything for outstanding NOS parts. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 2010 Registered: 10-2003 |
I hold out hope for the Buick Reatta. I think it was a fine looking machine. I thought the Allante a little ugly, particularly in the derrier. Look out for the AMC Javelin maybe. They were pieces of junk, but that doesn't mean much. | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1487 Registered: 08-2006 |
"Hpgrmln--Studebaker owners are the cheapest bastards in the hobby. The cars are relatively cheap, and they wince at paying anything for outstanding NOS parts." You've never tried to sell parts to a non AMX AMC owner I guess eh Packman? I parted out two Pacers at my place. I had things priced at $5 and people still complained about the prices. Eddie Stakes calls this the "Rambler Mentality". Cars that were cheap originally means buyers will expect the parts to be plentiful and not adjusted for inflation since the 1960s. | ||
Karl Member Username: Karl Post Number: 9484 Registered: 09-2005 |
Cambrian: I'd double the prices and when they wince tell 'em they can pay you, or keep looking while paying $3/gal to save $5. |
