Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Last winter about this time we were in the Florida Keys (Islamorada) for the coldest January on record and were told to take the weather back to Minnesota. This winter in southern Arizona the same thing. Rain and cold weather follows us again So we've decided the two hour trip to Scottsdale may be in order. I've never been to a Barrett- Jackson auction before so it should be fun despite the weather. So far the retro highlight of this trip was the seeing the bird with 2k on her

[Rondor]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

I think that was the only cold snap we had last year. Maybe you did bring it (-:
Be interested in hearing about B-J and how much walking you had to do.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

A look at how the buyers are changing.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...tion/96913638/

[Dennis45]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

A look at how the buyers are changing.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...tion/96913638/

Interesting article. This theme was certainly eveident in yesterday's auction. Ridiculous prices on some cars that four or five years ago would hardly get an opening bid.

[Guest]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Interesting article. This theme was certainly eveident in yesterday's auction. Ridiculous prices on some cars that four or five years ago would hardly get an opening bid.

Yet many Retro owners, including members polled here, still think the 2002-2005 Thunderbird values will be lower 10 years from now than higher.

[11TH GEN]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Yet many Retro owners, including members polled here, still think the 2002-2005 Thunderbird values will be lower 10 years from now than higher.

Depends on the car Phil. I think we, you and I , have always agreed that price is driven by mileage, for now at least. This was the case at Mecum earlier this month. Retro's are really not old enough yet to have undergone a total nut & bolt restoration. Maybe in ten or fifteen years when they are approaching twenty five years old or so and have a ton of miles on them someone might go that route. Personally, I doubt it, but do concur that outstanding original low mileage examples will carry astonishing premiums by then.

[Dennis45]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Yet many Retro owners, including members polled here, still think the 2002-2005 Thunderbird values will be lower 10 years from now than higher.

I am in that camp also. I don't think the so called Millennials have the same appreciation for our retros as us boomers and they are the ones taking over the market.
What struck me watching the BJ was the prices on some of the modified cars. These are the ones that a few years ago would barely, if at all, recover the cost of the build. Yesterday, some of these were fetching big bucks.
I can see the Jap Screamers being the next big auction item.

Personally, I don't expect my Merlot to appreciate. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy it until they take my driver licence and give it to my grandson, if he's interested.

[Guest]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

It's difficult, if not impossible, to say what 'millennials' or any other future generation for that matter, may think is collectible in the future.

Did any of us who owned older Corvettes, Dodge Challengers, or Camaros back in the 1960sand 1970s ever think they'd bring the kind of money they do now? I sure didn't. Never even occurred to me.

Who could have predicted the advent of inexpensive, powerful home computers back in the 1960s? Or see 8-track tape players give way to cassettes and then CDs and then digital music libraries? Who even knew what a fax machine would be used for back in 1982, or that by 2012 they would become largely obsolete?

Collector cars tend to be lower production, unique (as compared to others of the same era), or otherwise outstanding due to make, model, provenance or marque.

To think the Retro Thunderbird will not stand out in any of the above distinctions, is to ignore some obvious facts about it; limited production, two-seat, 'open car,' nameplate with a long and historic legacy, bloodline to true classics of the same name, and unique color combinations at a time when many models offer only red, black, silver, and white, or variations of those basic colors.

The reality however, is that few of us will still be around to see the Retros bring six-figures plus at auction. Honestly, how much time does the typical person spend contemplating what everyday life might be 50-100 years from now, let alone the value of a car they currently own?

[Rondor]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

The retro may be a while nearing 6 figures, but Phil is dead-on about the history and the numbers. They appear to have bottomed out and in a holding pattern. The buyers who bought new have a ways to go but must 2nd owners could likely break even now or very soon. Not bad for a toy. Over half the cars I have owned would have been a great investment,,,but,,,,Who would have thunk it ????
I ordered the first Dodge hemi charger in Fl in 0ct '65 site unseen. It was so ugly I refused to take it. The buyer totaled it within a month.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

We didn't make BJ due to Wisconsin football. This retro value subject keeps coming up but with our average age over 65 it wont matter. Hell, my drivers license indicates me as a 'donor' but who's going to want 70 year old parts? I'd agree with Phil and Ron. It'd be nice to have my '63 Split Window back that I sold for $3300 in 1969 knowing I was going to Vietnam. They say gratitude is an attitude. Well I'm grateful to be alive and to have discovered this latent passion I chose to call BLACK BEAUTY

[jerrym3]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

I am in that camp also. I don't think the so called Millennials have the same appreciation for our retros as us boomers and they are the ones taking over the market.
What struck me watching the BJ was the prices on some of the modified cars. These are the ones that a few years ago would barely, if at all, recover the cost of the build. Yesterday, some of these were fetching big bucks.
I can see the Jap Screamers being the next big auction item.
Personally, I don't expect my Merlot to appreciate. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy it until they take my driver licence and give it to my grandson, if he's interested.

I'm with Dennis. When the baby birds came out, car/model choices were very limited compared to later years. We "kids" remember those days fondly. 55/56/57 Bird prices went up as we aged and got into the old car market.

The new buyers have different car memories. They are willing to spend big money on cars they identify with. The retro isn't on that list.

A clean low mileage retro will always bring more money than a Crown Vic, but not really big dollars.

Unfortunately, as less and less retros continue to exist, parts suppliers will not be eager to provide parts. Tough choice for a potential retro buyer: rarity vs serviceability.

At age 74 (almost), it really doesn't make much difference to me.

But, what the heck do I know? I thought Green Bay would be in the SuperBowl.

[Quickdraw]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

I agree with Jerry - IMHO the cars that will be valued and collectable in the future are the cars that are popular with kids today. Those horrible jap cars with big tailpipe extensions and fart-can mufflers will be in high demand when todays generation reach our age. I can't see the current generation falling in love with our retro Birds 30 years from now when they don't like them now, none of todays kids will buy our cars to "re-live their youth."

[11TH GEN]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

We didn't make BJ due to Wisconsin football. This retro value subject keeps coming up but with our average age over 65 it wont matter. Hell, my drivers license indicates me as a 'donor' but who's going to want 70 year old parts? I'd agree with Phil and Ron. It'd be nice to have my '63 Split Window back that I sold for $3300 in 1969 knowing I was going to Vietnam. They say gratitude is an attitude. Well I'm grateful to be alive and to have discovered this latent passion I chose to call BLACK BEAUTY

I really like trying to put these puzzles together. Greg, are you still in AZ ? What Wisconsin football? Do you mean the Packers? We have known for a week they would be playing Sunday ( let me re phrase that - showing up on Sunday ) You could have gone to BJ another day right? Anyway, keep them coming, always a challenge.

[AZTB]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

I agree with Jerry - IMHO the cars that will be valued and collectable in the future are the cars that are popular with kids today. Those horrible jap cars with big tailpipe extensions and fart-can mufflers will be in high demand when todays generation reach our age. I can't see the current generation falling in love with our retro Birds 30 years from now when they don't like them now, none of todays kids will buy our cars to "re-live their youth."

...my grandkids (7 of them) never were enthralled with either the '02 or the '05. When I sold the 05 a year ago, it left my garage without even a whimper from any of them.

[wcoates]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Retro (regardless of future value) is worth darn near what I paid for it 4 years ago.

Toy car extraordinary even with problems of parts