I think supply and demand along with demographics play the largest roles, especially so close to a major city like Chicago.
Too many people with deep deep pockets and a lengthy list of speed shops willing to do the work or looking for a quick flip and not enough of classics to go around. Not too mention rust is far too common so the less rusty the example the dollars start to really soar.
I’m pretty familiar with paying either the high side of values or even a step above as I’m not willing to travel or pay outrageous shipping.
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I hear that side Bob, but I've been doing this since 78, when these 'classics' were bought for what they are - not great quality used cars that are expensive to drive.
in the 90's, rich boomers could afford their old dream cars and exploded prices, making old hot rods a commodity, not a hobby.
They don't rebuild the cars, they buy and pay to restore.
I have not stayed in the old car hobby since.
The juice is not worth the squeeze.
A $45000 69 Mach 1 today is the exact same car as my $4500 car in 1983.
I didn't wake up and go - 'wow - this car is worth 10 times more than last year!"
I'll pay it!
Screw that.
I'd had my fun, in the right price range, with hundreds of cars.
It leaves me bitter, and late model (2004 Marauders and up) are far better cars for an inflated price.
I agree, I'll pay a grand extra for the right car if it is local or has a redeeming quality.
Otherwise, this became a wealthy investment trading object, not a grass roots car lovers hobby, and I don't subscribe.
These guys can look at my list of cars bought and fixed up from love, not greed, and cry I was doing it for under $10k for 35 years.
I'm never paying for demand inflation for a crappy old car with a big motor, low production and rare - because they all rotted out!
I'll invest in hookers & booze
was cool.
