Good link to check the value of your car (some may not know it)

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Have you checked the value of your car lately? The link below (as some of you know) provides some references amount and other details, like history of the model, you can generate a need report of your car or find out what is for sale also photographs of cars that are for sale.

Hagerty Link to check the value based on condition 1 to 4 -----> https://www.hagerty.ca/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch

PS. I had a similar thread posted yesterday, however, decided to delete it since I asked too many questions.

[batman]

What happened in Jan 2013 that all values spiked and have continued to rise more quickly than previously. Also the price differential between the four categories has increased incredibly since jan 2013 - is this because its becoming much more expensive to get a car from 2 to 1 or under supply of 1's

[Garry]

The condition level, e.g. 1 2 3 or 4 is very important to understanding the values.

I think there are very few condition 1 cars around. I think i have probably only seen one or two ever. They are trailer queens and would not be driven and hence their high value to get them there. I think any good restoration workshop would be wanting $USD200-350k to do a restoration to that level, and that does not include the initial purchase of the car.

Most cars are in the three and four level unless they have had a bare metal restoration in the last ten years and have then been well kept.

I think lots think their cars are at level 2 but the reality is that they have not won nor would win a concourse or similar and thus probably don’t make it to L2.

I also think that the 230 and 250 SL’s are under rated a bit like the 300sl Roadster was a few years back and will eventually level up with the 280SL’s and thus a better investment in the longer term.

Just my opinion. and I may have to wait ten years to say I told you so.

Garry

[Bonnyboy]

There is a good article in the May Sports Car Market by Keith Martin, talking about a three levels of collector cars "when cars become imortal" Imortal cars are thos where the cost to restore/recreate them back from a rusted out and burned hulk is still less than what they can sell for when complete - eg Cobras, 300sl's, many Ferraris and BMW 507s etc.. 

The next level is the "restoration priced" cars which can now be worth what it costs to restore one to a proper standard. Keith Martin goes on to say that some recent cars that have joined that group include the Austin Healey 3000s, Fiat Dino Spiders, Sunbeam Tigers and the Mercedes 190sl and he figures that the Pagodas are just getting into that group. 

The own it because you love it group Keith refers to as "Bargains Forever" consists of cars whose market value is well below what a first rate restoration would cost - MGBs and Triumph TR6s.  Classic and competant cars but no "kicker" to catapault them from the ranks of mundane into collectable.   

Keith says that we are in a new era of collecting as there are more cars than ever in the "restoration priced" category. 

Now the bottom price for the loves of our life is what a restoration firm would pay for a complete and restoration worthy car and everything goes up from there.

[Jkalplus1]

Keith,
I think what you say about the condition is right.  I have the impression that one cannot "interpolate" the value of a car (e.g. in-between condition 1 and condition 2).  That is, if it does not look new everywhere, it is condition 2 or lesser.  I have no evidence to this, but this is what it appears to be to me.  I don't think a man with a top-notch car, but not quite #1, can think he will sell for more than #2 value. Thoughts?
J
P.S.: It seems now is the time to "hold" until the curve starts to flatten.

[Benz Dr.]

As general rule, taking all older cars into account, I'd say that there are too many old cars on the market chasing too few dollars. In other words, too much supply and not enough demand. For the most part, euro exotics are leading the charge for the really high priced stuff.

[jpinet]

Concerning the value of 280,s over 250's and 230's...it costs about the same to restore any of these 3 models and the value f the 280 is much greater because that's what the market is willing to pay. But as the price of 280's keeps rising, (100K$ + is seen more frequently) people will turn to the 250's 230's and I believe because of that,  their prices will also start rising faster.
My 2 cents worth of crystal ball reading!