I will add my 0.02 to this: I am glad that the Mopar prices will hopefully come back down. Yes, it sucks that some of the investors will lose their money, but what is an investment without risk?
I have always thought that if you want to invest in an automobile, stick to a car that was always a special car, Duesenbergs, Bugatti Atlantics, 1932 Caddy V-12 Ragtops, Tuckers. Those are the cars that you will never see at the quickie mart or Safeway, with three kids piled in the back. Granted, you wouldn't see some of beautiful examples of Mopar Muscle at those places either. However, back in 1970 and 1971, those were cars envisioned by Cheesborough, Brownlie and those fellas at Highland park to be one thing: A car. Just like a '74 Valiant sedan.
I find it absolutely disgusting that a hemi cuda convertible goes for millions, all due respects to the Blakes and the Wienmanns, even if they are worth their wieght in gold (I know, that statement is self defeating and oxymoronic!). The trickle down theory applies here.
Another point, is that the classic car hobby is the canary in the coal mine for our nation's economy. One can contend that statement is absolutely in left field, but think about it. While our economy might not be in the best shape now, it is definitly on the rebound from the recession of the nineties. Granted things were great in the late nineties, and decent Mopars could be had for a decent price. 9/11 put a dampner on things, but think about this: Greenspan raised the interest rates a few years ago to stimulate a stagnant economy, and to some extent it did lots of good.
Something else that gets me going, and Randy Shannon touched on this on the head in this month's Mopar Muscle is the future of our hobby. What this has to do with the 'investors' is that the future of this hobby can easily be a thing of the past. Yes, I know I sound like the guy that has the billboards walking about fifth avenue that read "the world will end soon!". The upper Echelon of society can afford these cars, and that will turn the younger fans away, simply because they can't afford their dream Mopar. I can only think of Goody and StreetChallenged73 and myself off the top of my head that are south of the 35 year old demographic that are posting on this board. Yes, there is more, but clearly the minority here. You have kids that eat, breathe, speak, mopar, (and an even smaller annointed few that actually can buy into the mopar hobby or are in it now) that will be turned away simply because it is financially out of reach. They will turn to other makes to flex their automotive vices, whether it be on two wheels, Japanese, or Porsche/Ferrari.
Something that really pisses me off since I am on my soapbox, is the arrogance of some 'investors'!! I am right here in Phoenix, right down the street from Barrett Jackson. I see these types at every car show. Lets think about this for a second. Some punk kid walks up to your car, and immedately goes for the fender tag, or makes comments on the three speaker dash your R/T rag has, do you think he might know what the expletive he is talking about? It really irritates me that some of these guys riding the wave of mopar financial excess don't know or care about the car they own! This cat a few months ago, was not interested in talking to me AT ALL! I would ask him a question, and he looked down his nose at me like I was talking gibberish!
I was under the impression that some of the European Sports car types are arrogant and, excuse my slang, but "hoity-toity". I used to be a shop monkey in a Ferrari Shop in California. We didn't work on some pop star's 360, or his 430, or any overpriced FIATs, but real deal Ferraris, Four Cam 275s, SIATAS, PF cabs. Million dollar cars. These guys were obviously "well-heeled", but pretty nice dudes. A lot of the fellas that had cars there would always joke about my dodge I had, but would give me time of day for a decent conversation, even though I was the lowest guy at totem pole at that shop!
Some of the arrogance I have seen from these 'investors' just makes me angry, and makes me question the affinity I have had for Mopars since before I could drive. Coupled with the extravagant prices of these cars, I am starting to look elsewhere at other makes, and conclude that a Challenger (even in carcass parts car form
) is inobtainable.
Mopars are regular cars-Shade tree mechanics work on those and tinker with them. They were designed to have the hell beat out of them, ran in to the ground, and keep running. Not collect dust under a cover in a garage!
=
My Rant. Sorry to raise hairs or ostracize myself...
Later
KFD
