Watching Mecum
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 699
From: Covington KY
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Watching Mecum
And loving my 427 'vert all the more. I do love the old classics but when you compare the performance and just overall package of the modern muscle/sports cars there is no comparison for me. I just watched a 64 Chevelle SS 'vert sell for $52K (plus buyers fee) and that's more than I paid for my 427 which at the time had 5200 miles on it. That Chevelle looks sweet but on the road it drives like a sled, stops like cr*p and can't keep pace with even a modern V6 Camaro. I still think about buying an older Camaro/Chevelle/Impala/Nova but it's just not going to happen at the prices they are commanding. And yes I know what they are showing today are repeats of the 2021 auctions but I don't see prices falling in 2022.
Popular Reply
Dec 25, 2021, 06:04 PM
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Performance and comfort wise there is no question the modern cars are better in every way.... but you seem to be missing the entire point of owning a classic.
When I pull my 70 Corvette into a gas station to fill up with gas its a 30 minute ordeal as it instantly attracts a crowd of lookers followed by a stream of questions, followed by a stream of stories about the one their dad/uncle/brother/neighbor had that was just like it.
A 5 mile drive results in at least a half dozen thumbs up.
The 6 year old kid walking with his father through the parking lot seeing the car and screaming "that's the coolest car ever".
Cars always chasing you down on the interstate so someone can get a video of the car rolling.
Running down to the grocery store to get a six pack and waking out to a group of people admiring your car.
The satisfaction of restoring a piece of history.
Owning a car the increase in value every year.
The joy of working on a beautiful car that is amazing simple and easy to repair.
If your buying a car for the driving experience you definitely want a modern car. If you're buying a car for the shear joy and pleasure of owning a car than a classic might be for you.
Or you can always just buy one of each :-)
When I pull my 70 Corvette into a gas station to fill up with gas its a 30 minute ordeal as it instantly attracts a crowd of lookers followed by a stream of questions, followed by a stream of stories about the one their dad/uncle/brother/neighbor had that was just like it.
A 5 mile drive results in at least a half dozen thumbs up.
The 6 year old kid walking with his father through the parking lot seeing the car and screaming "that's the coolest car ever".
Cars always chasing you down on the interstate so someone can get a video of the car rolling.
Running down to the grocery store to get a six pack and waking out to a group of people admiring your car.
The satisfaction of restoring a piece of history.
Owning a car the increase in value every year.
The joy of working on a beautiful car that is amazing simple and easy to repair.
If your buying a car for the driving experience you definitely want a modern car. If you're buying a car for the shear joy and pleasure of owning a car than a classic might be for you.
Or you can always just buy one of each :-)
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Performance and comfort wise there is no question the modern cars are better in every way.... but you seem to be missing the entire point of owning a classic.
When I pull my 70 Corvette into a gas station to fill up with gas its a 30 minute ordeal as it instantly attracts a crowd of lookers followed by a stream of questions, followed by a stream of stories about the one their dad/uncle/brother/neighbor had that was just like it.
A 5 mile drive results in at least a half dozen thumbs up.
The 6 year old kid walking with his father through the parking lot seeing the car and screaming "that's the coolest car ever".
Cars always chasing you down on the interstate so someone can get a video of the car rolling.
Running down to the grocery store to get a six pack and waking out to a group of people admiring your car.
The satisfaction of restoring a piece of history.
Owning a car the increase in value every year.
The joy of working on a beautiful car that is amazing simple and easy to repair.
If your buying a car for the driving experience you definitely want a modern car. If you're buying a car for the shear joy and pleasure of owning a car than a classic might be for you.
Or you can always just buy one of each :-)
When I pull my 70 Corvette into a gas station to fill up with gas its a 30 minute ordeal as it instantly attracts a crowd of lookers followed by a stream of questions, followed by a stream of stories about the one their dad/uncle/brother/neighbor had that was just like it.
A 5 mile drive results in at least a half dozen thumbs up.
The 6 year old kid walking with his father through the parking lot seeing the car and screaming "that's the coolest car ever".
Cars always chasing you down on the interstate so someone can get a video of the car rolling.
Running down to the grocery store to get a six pack and waking out to a group of people admiring your car.
The satisfaction of restoring a piece of history.
Owning a car the increase in value every year.
The joy of working on a beautiful car that is amazing simple and easy to repair.
If your buying a car for the driving experience you definitely want a modern car. If you're buying a car for the shear joy and pleasure of owning a car than a classic might be for you.
Or you can always just buy one of each :-)
Racer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 269
Likes: 128
From: San Antonio, Texas
I saw four or five C2 Corvettes go for over 200,000 US$ yesterday. I presume it was a re-run. They were all original paint, engines, interior, etc.
In fact, they were all red.
C3 in there went for 180,000 US$. All original, too. 427; not L-88.
In fact, they were all red.
C3 in there went for 180,000 US$. All original, too. 427; not L-88.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 699
From: Covington KY
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
No Iceaxe I do know about that part and for a long time I would have chosen a classic over modern every time. Given the choice between a early Camaro SS/RS 'vert and a C6 I would have taken the Camaro every time. BTW you have a beautiful C3 there and I'm a little jealous but my wife has a 5th gen SS Camaro and I have the vette so the garage is full and I'm not giving up my C6 for a classic. A side story, my brother in law, think cousin Eddie from Christmas vacation, fell into a 1970 'vette 350, 4 speed for $4500 a couple of years ago. It needed an interior restoration but had been painted and is in very good condition. I wouldn't have passed on that deal.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
And loving my 427 'vert all the more. I do love the old classics but when you compare the performance and just overall package of the modern muscle/sports cars there is no comparison for me. I just watched a 64 Chevelle SS 'vert sell for $52K (plus buyers fee) and that's more than I paid for my 427 which at the time had 5200 miles on it. That Chevelle looks sweet but on the road it drives like a sled, stops like cr*p and can't keep pace with even a modern V6 Camaro. I still think about buying an older Camaro/Chevelle/Impala/Nova but it's just not going to happen at the prices they are commanding. And yes I know what they are showing today are repeats of the 2021 auctions but I don't see prices falling in 2022.
If the old classics were like $5,000 to $10,000 that's alot more reasonable but not when the oldies cost more than a new car.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 1,216
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I watched it too, and saw the 64 Malibu SS, which was my first car. Mine was a rare mid-year 327, 4spd. Very nice car which I would not mind having today, but would not pay that money for it.
What amazes me is the crazy prices for 1970-90 pickups, many of which are not that well taken care of. I understand the resto=-mod trucks bringing big $$, but when you see $45K for a 2WD 1975 GMC 1500 that has all the stock mechanicals, with nice paint and interior, I just shake my head. But, it's the buyer's coin, so they can spend it how they want.
What amazes me is the crazy prices for 1970-90 pickups, many of which are not that well taken care of. I understand the resto=-mod trucks bringing big $$, but when you see $45K for a 2WD 1975 GMC 1500 that has all the stock mechanicals, with nice paint and interior, I just shake my head. But, it's the buyer's coin, so they can spend it how they want.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 228
From: Colorado Springs, CO
True, true. At this point those cars ..the ones offered up on Mecum/Barrett-Jackson.. are investment vehicles. People buy them, let them sit around in a heated barn for four or five years, take them back to Mecum and sell them for x% more than they paid. They're basically just stocks and bonds with oil and antifreeze in them for probably 90% + of those buyers. I'd be surprised if many, perhaps most, of those cars get put on the road more than a handful of times a year and get more than a few hundred miles added to the odos by those who buy them.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 699
From: Covington KY
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
True, true. At this point those cars ..the ones offered up on Mecum/Barrett-Jackson.. are investment vehicles. People buy them, let them sit around in a heated barn for four or five years, take them back to Mecum and sell them for x% more than they paid. They're basically just stocks and bonds with oil and antifreeze in them for probably 90% + of those buyers. I'd be surprised if many, perhaps most, of those cars get put on the road more than a handful of times a year and get more than a few hundred miles added to the odos by those who buy them.
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,163
Likes: 7,439
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My C6 427 vert is faster, safer, better fuel mileage, better handling, & more comfortable than a typical C2 or C3, but they have their own "coolness" factor that's tough to equal
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
Buying a classic car is totally dependent on what the owner wants from that car. If it's nostalgic and reliving their youth, or just car show vehicles, or for profit by keeping it in a garage, that is all fine and dandy.
When I retired and began the search for a car, I looked at the cars that I had owned in my youth, then I remembered how badly they handled and rode compared to the new sports cars. Besides a 68 Road Runner, I had a new 77 Trans Am that I sold in 94. I regretted doing that, but looking back, no big deal. In those days, I was into entering car shows and what goes with that, but this purchase was going to be based on using a car for road trips, so an old classic was out of the equation at that point. I did consider the new T/A repros, but finally decided on a C6. That was a great decision, as we have put over 100000 miles since the purchase and enjoy it as much today. I don't have to worry about mileage, resale etc.
When I retired and began the search for a car, I looked at the cars that I had owned in my youth, then I remembered how badly they handled and rode compared to the new sports cars. Besides a 68 Road Runner, I had a new 77 Trans Am that I sold in 94. I regretted doing that, but looking back, no big deal. In those days, I was into entering car shows and what goes with that, but this purchase was going to be based on using a car for road trips, so an old classic was out of the equation at that point. I did consider the new T/A repros, but finally decided on a C6. That was a great decision, as we have put over 100000 miles since the purchase and enjoy it as much today. I don't have to worry about mileage, resale etc.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 146
From: Saint John's, Florida
I would bet however if you offered an F15 Eagle pilot the chance to fly a P51 he would jump at it. Just my own thoughts.
