Hagerty List the 230 as one of top ten cars to "scoop up"

[johnk]

You may have seen this but earlier this week Hagerty listed the 230sl as one of its top ten cars to scoop up. Its a long link so you may have to copy and paste it.  Big change from when all they wanted to do was talk about its declining value a few years ago. They also said it was the most eye-catching of the ten other than possibly the Ferrari Dina.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/bull-market-2022/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_SaturdayRoadTrip_NoDynamic&hashed_email=a776c5b3802b6087842a5e849f7a2fa43dc8674ec1c2c0f4e729de3d604d2474

[scoot]

Scoop up?  Prices crazy high on Bring a Trailer....

[johnk]

Maybe the article is a little late but all classic car prices are up aren’t they?

[scoot]

Maybe the article is a little late but all classic car prices are up aren’t they?

I think it depends on where you shop, but in general, yes.  The people who buy on Bring a Trailer have stacks and stacks and stacks of money.  (Confession - I purchased my Borgward on BaT and don't have stacks and stacks of money).  Rich guy stuff where they are just buying little trophies.  Makes me crazy.

[johnk]

I will be putting my Alfa up for sale early next year but I don’t thing BAT is the venue.

[Garry]

The early Pagoda, as in the 230sl was and still is the best $ investment of all three models because of the $ bias toward the 280sl taking the eye of the uninformed. 
Interesting to note that the Pagoda gets the highest value increase of all ten cars in 2021 of 35%. For investment, the 230sl has been where the smart money was.

[scoot]

I will be putting my Alfa up for sale early next year but I don’t thing BAT is the venue.

What year/model Alfa?

[johnk]

1950 6c 2500 super sport
too small market and knowledge of this car for BAT

[john.mancini]

I never really understood why people placed such a premium on the 280SL, over the 230SL  and 250SL. It's not as though there was a dramatic increase in power or an improvement in esthetics. In fact, I'd argue that the 230SL looks better than the more cluttered look of the 280SL, (bumper guards, side reflectors/lights, head rests). Yes, there were improvements as the W113 evolved, but personally, I do like the early SL's. I find the 4-speeds great, fun driving cars.

[Pawel66]

A question of preference apparently with those preferring 280SL prevailing a bit.

It is a more mature design with more powerful engine, better brakes and some of the details improved. Some other cheapened. With 230SL being more raw, more prime that may feel swifter.

Anybody can find something for themselves - be it they look for value or fun.

[john.mancini]

The one thing that everyone here would agree on......all W113 iterations are GREAT cars. That's why we are here!!

[thelews]

The early 250 SL has it all: cosmetics, mechanicals, rarity.   

[MikeSimon]

Being an engineer myself, I have great trust in engineering. Especially in engineering from that period, before companies were dominated by "bean-counters".
I have always applied that in my motorcycle hobby too. The later incarnations of a certain model always have distinct technical improvements are a better choice, IMO.
Referring to motorcycles again, there is a shining example of that, which is the /6 BMW R90S. It is priced out of this world and cherished by almost everyone, although the /7 R100S is the better bike for many reasons.

[zak]

JohnK
That Alfa of your belongs in a sale at Amelia Island or Pebble Beach.
What a beautiful model and 1950.

jz

[johnk]

Thanks zak. I am going to try advertising the Alfa first before I consider the main auctions. They seem very risky to me, expensive
If the right buyers do not show up. I’m certainly no expert though.