"I expect to pass through the world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness I can show to any creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it, for I shall not pass this way again"--Anon.
From CNN Money Feb. 14, 2014
Bear Market for Classic American Cars
Baby boomers, who have been reshaping the economy for their entire lives, are doing it again, but in a less macro way. They are depressing prices in the collector car market because they're losing interest in classic American cars from the 1950s -- the cars of their youth.
The bear market in American classics stands in sharp contrast to the demand for historic exotic and foreign cars, which has strongly rebounded from its post-recession slowdown. Last August, a 1967 Ferrari was auctioned for $27.5 million -- a record for a road car. A few months earlier, a 1954 Mercedes race car went for $29.6 million.
Not so for '50s cars from the old Big Three as well as now-defunct makers like Studebaker and Packard. The evidence comes in the March issue of Car & Driver, in an article by Rob Sass of Hagerty Insurance, which specializes in insurance for antique and vintage autos. According to Hagerty's index of prices of '50s American classics, Sass writes, activity peaked in August 2007 and hasn't recovered. The decline affects everything from popular favorites like the Chevy Bel Air to rarities like the Packard Caribbean convertible.
In their prime, baby boomers were big buyers. But now, Sass writes, "their interest in the hobby is starting to wane." Nor does he see the market rebounding any time soon. The millennial generation doesn't have a comparable level of interest. "It's questionable whether they will care about the cars of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers -- or any cars," he adds.
Here are some data points from the post-war era of tailfins, two-tone paint jobs, and whitewall tires. The condition of the cars ranges on a scale from condition four (daily driver with visible flaws) up to condition one (perfectly clean, groomed down to the tire treads). In a few exceptional categories buyers have made money by catching the peak of the market, but the overall trend is down.
The best advice for someone considering a classic car as an investment is to buy what you love; any appreciation should be secondary to the pride of ownership -- and the satisfaction of preserving a slice of history for future generations
CHANGES AT RADERS RELICS AFTER 35 YEARS
With the loss of Dick Schoppe, Raders Relics is changing it's operating style. We are now open by appointment only. Though you can drop by most mornings and probably catch me here, but if you don't want to gamble please call ahead. I feel a connection with friends and customers who over the years have trusted us with some delightful and fun investorcars. Except for an escape to the mountains, I'll keep on keeping on.- Bob Rader
Our current inventory of classic cars at a glance:
1939Ford Deluxe convertible sedan in folkstone grey with red piping and carmel interior. To sum it up in a few words--She is a fresh national show quality restoration. Show Me More! >>>>
$49,500
1946 Military Jeep. We have had him before, ( he's the one that had his tub replaced some time in his life ) He has had quite a few upgrades since he was here. He now sports a summer top, new correct shovel, axe and jerry can. Drive line has been rebuilt as well as springs. Show Me More! >>>>
$13,500
1948 Chrysler Windsor Convertible with just 42,000 actual miles. Probably one of the most original cars we have seen. He has been owned for many years by a gentleman who replaced things as needed with as near to original things that could be found. The paint is original and still show quality. Dash plastic,gauges and controls are like new. Top is canvas as original and only the leather on the seats has been replaced. There has never been any rust or rust repair to this car. It runs and drives just like a new 1948 Chrysler. It's hard to really describe a car this old and this nice. As nice as it is it is not a 100pt. show car. Show Me More! >>>>
$39,500
SOLD 1965 Ford Thunderbird convertible that is mostly all original as factory delivered with the exception of a repaint in the original color sometime in the past. The interior is better than expected for being 57 years old. Percy in unusual in that he doesn't have air conditioning and he lives in Florida. Included is an uninstalled expensive factory roadster kit. Show Me More! >>>>
$12,950
SOLD 1965 Ford Falcon two door. A consigned car. He has had a strictly amateur restoration. A fifty footer. But he runs great and looks good from fifty feet away. Only need is shocks. $5950. come see and make an offerShow Me More! >>>>
$5950
SOLD 1966 Ford Mustang coupe in one year old excellent silver repaint over an evidently never rusted never damaged original with economic six cylinder and automatic. But the best part here is the 49,000 miles is, by every measure (pedal wear, upholstery, etc) true first time around. Show Me More! >>>>
$11,950
CARMELLA is a 1973 Mercedes Benz 450SL convertible with both tops and a beautiful and very expensive repaint in the original color with black interior. Show Me More! >>>>
$11,000
SOLD 1975 Pontiac Grand Lemans Safari station wagon, a consigned car. One owner, 112,000 miles with original 38 year old factory paint and no rust. Original interior. Very expensive engine rebuild. Show Me More! >>>>
$5950
SOLD 1979Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II with left hand drive and LWB. She has a paint job in the beautiful original two tone blue colors that the owner told us cost him $30,000. Even if he paid too much it is surely the best quality money can buy anywhere. The matching leather and wood interior are lovely and she runs fine. Winston the car is free, just pay for the paint job. Show Me More! >>>>
$30,000
Amanda Reckonwith is a 1983 Buick Riviera convertible is one of only 3898 produced from 1982- 1985. Available in only white or red, with white tops and red leather. The 307 V8 was an option. Base price was $25,702.00, more than the Corvette. Amanda has had over $20,000 spent on restoration (reciepts here) 5600 miles on new Jasper 307 engine, transmission, rear end, a/c, top/motor, tires, hydro booster brake, power steering, power windows and seats, custom paint, disk brakes, gas shocks, Kenwood stereo/CD, ball joints. Show Me More! >>>>
$17,500
NEW 1985 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz in Gossamer blue with dark blue leather. I won't even try to go into her extensive luxury equipment. The important thing here is that you can buy a new car for the sticker price she had on the showroom in 1985. Show Me More! >>>>
$26,862
1985 Chevrolet pickup. The most desirable short bed Silverado. He has over 100,000 miles and never had a touch of paint since the factory nor a spot of rust. The V8 runs fine with automatic and power steering, the right goodies. Good shoes and ready to drive you home. Show Me More! >>>>
$4,950
OTHER STUFF FOR SALE
Raders Relics conversion chart to translate old cars ads language. This is a compendium of a quarter century in the business from personal observations and other publications. In red and black on parchment color, 11X17, suitable for framing to hang in the family room, garage, where ever you like. Samples:
If it says:
It really means:
Older restoration
Can’t tell it’s been restored
Drive it away
I live on top of a hill
Lost storage
Neighbors getting up a petition
Uses no oil
Just throws it out
And fifty more
Yours for a pittance at just $12.50 each. Add $3.50 for the mailing tube and postage, any quantity. Your check is acceptable to us. We aren’t set up to take credit cards.
ALSO— HUMOROUS PLEASE DON’T TOUCH SIGNS, 4 " X 5 " , MADE OUT OF STATIC STICK. CAN BE PUT ON GLASS INSIDE OR OUT AND REMOVED AFTER THE SHOW IF YOU LIKE. JUST $3.00 EACH. ADD $2.00 FOR POSTAGE. UP TO TEN SAME POSTAGE.
Coca Cola cooler, 1950, restored, very good. $950
Murray pedal car, 1950s, actually never used. $1100
Mobile oil dispenser. Circa 1940. Very good original, never restored. Full of bottles. $3500.00
Your check is fine. Sorry no credit cards
1896 Kentucky Ave. • 1/2 mile from exit #87 at I-4 and fairbanks, • Winter Park, Florida USA 32789. Tel: (407) 647-1940 Fax: (407) 647-1930 • email: Bob Rader therelic@theraders.net
Raders Relics conversion chart to translate old cars ads language. This is a compendium of a quarter century in the business from personal observations and other publications. In red and black on parchment color, 11X17, suitable for framing to hang in the family room, garage, where ever you like. Samples:
