Everything is worth no more than what someone is willing to pay for it. I know most folks cant restore a car like that for less than 40k unless it was in really great shape to start with or the restorer can do 100% of the work himself.
I'm getting ready to restore an RT Challenger soon and I expect it to cost 40k. If someone showed me the exact same car restored to perfection for 45k, I'd seriously consider it because I could sell my project for a big chunk of money and come out way ahead in the end.
Point is, the opinions of these so called experts are no better than anyone else. Those guys are stoned if they think I can walk out on any given day and buy that car in that condition for that price. I just turned down 26k for my 70 Bee and while it's very nice, it's not perfect. A pinnacle car like that will sell a lot higher than my Bee. What they should be saying is, "If you were forced to make a quick sale, you might have to settle for 35k."
I do think things have softened, like the housing market has. But notice that only people who must sell are selling in both the housing and classic car markets. Everyone else is holding tight waiting for better days.
if anyone out there wants to prove me wrong by selling me a perfectly restored 71 Cuda, numbers matching 340 stick car, I'll happily admit I'm wrong, plunk down my money and drive off into the sunset in that beauty