by Mike Gulett –
There are different reasons why we like certain classic car makes and models. We like some cars in a way that we want to own one and we like other cars in a way that we admire the art, the engineering, the shape or maybe the color but have no desire to own one. For me most pre-war cars fit this category. I admire many of them but do not want to own any.
We have many reasons why we desire certain car models and these models are likely to be more valuable than other similar cars. We also may want to use this special car as a daily driver.
What drives these desires? It could be a personal connection from childhood or something we saw in a movie or some other random event. It can be the result of an influence from someone close to us or someone we respect.
There are many motivations for buying a specific car. Below is my list of some of those motivations.
1) Looks – design style.
Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful car designs – The Lamborghini Miura
Lamborghini Miura
2) Race heritage of the model.
1966 Shelby GT350; Carroll Shelby – Need I Say More?
AC Shelby Cobra CSX 2001
3) In period race history of the specific car, especially if it won a famous race and was driven by a famous race driver.
This 1965 Ferrari 250 LM is the last Ferrari to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans
4) Technology innovation, especially a feature that is an important “first” in the automotive world.
Technology innovation on wheels – Porsche 959
5) Performance – related to technology but is measured by speed either in a straight line or on a road race track.
McLaren F1 – considered by many to be the greatest super car of all time
6) Ownership of the specific car by a famous person, especially a race car driver or the manufacturer (like Carroll Shelby or Enzo Ferrari).
Lamborghini Islero – Ferruccio Lamborghini‘s Personal Car
7) The desire to drive a really cool car on a daily basis motivates some of us.
2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello
2005 Aston Martin Vanquish S
8) Special history of a specific car.
Clark Gable’s Mercedes – his daily driver when he died, now owned by Bruce Meyer
9) Unique features of this model.
The first Japanese super car – Toyota 2000GT
10) Unique features of this specific car such as options, color, – one of one is the best – American car lovers seem to like a one of one because most American cars had such large production numbers that anything that will distinguish one car from another is good even something as prosaic as color combination.
The Only Factory Made Lamborghini Miura Roadster – a true one of one
11) Condition – original is highly valued, restored is often necessary, sympathetically restored is good; some original parts left like the interior, original body panels; crash damage or no crash damage; high quality restoration done to original specifications using original parts, especially if it is restored by a well respected marque specialists.
Original Hudson Hornet Interior – This Is Real Patina!
12) The people who designed or made the car: such as a Giugiaro, Zagatto, Bertone, Pinifarnia design or anything made by Shelby, Ferrari or Bizzarrini and certain others.
Iso Grifo: designed by Giugiaro of Bertone, chassis by Bizzarrini and made by Renzo Rivolta of Iso
13) An individuals personal experience with the specific car or the model; it was like one Dad drove etc…This is personal and this feature alone will not effect the value of this model except to the person with the personal experience.
1965 Buick Riviera – I had a 1965 Buick Riviera slot car when I was a kid
14) The Car As Calling Card – or conversation starter (idea from Wallace Wyss). This Bizzarrini GT 5300 started many conversations over the years for me including with TV personalities.
Dennis Gage, Mike Gulett and the Bizzarrini GT 5300 Strada on Speed TV
15) Something else that cannot be explained. There is sometimes an irrationality in the desire to own a certain collector car.
How does one explain why the Spohn Convertible is sought after by some collectors?
16) Add rarity to the mix of one or more of the attributes above and you have a perfect storm creating a valuable, or soon to be valuable, collector car. Rarity alone, however, does not guarantee desirability or value.
The Steve McQueen 1970 Porsche 911S sold by RM in August 2011 for $1,250,000 USD – photo by Mike Gulett
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Lamborghini Espada
Unless otherwise indicated all photos by Mike Gulett.
I know what you mean, Mike. There are many different reasons to buy a classic. To me, the 1963 Jaguar XKE is the most beautiful car in the world, the right color combo, is nearly original, low miles, and all the sentiment of being originally my grandfather’s car. For those reasons, this is my holy grail museum piece – pinnacle Garage Queen. For daily driving, it’s a 996 Targa with over 190,000 miles – I can park anywhere, drive anywhere there’s pavement, and I don’t worry about road rash. It shows its miles, as a driver, as it was intended. Both are well-loved but for different reasons. Contrast that with my wife, who is a Jeep expert, and her own reasons for the models she has – off-road capability, grocery getter, road tripping, or preserved American heritage.
There are several reasons for the attraction & desire of certain vintage cars. Most are filtered by the wallet, and storage space, then comes the practical use for the vehicle. When I was collecting Indian Motorcycles (which take up much less space than cars do), my montra was “one needs a bike for every mood”. I am now trying to apply that theory towards cars. Space is the enemy!
Motivations toward old car buying is akin to our male need of loving/needling/wanting/obtaining a certain female. These ownerships are a love affair where our inner soul cries out for fulfillment of our wants/desires. I was 16 in December of 71 on the Via Veneto in Rome and I saw a green Espada, then a week later I got a private tour of the Maserati factory and saw the third Bora race out of the rear doors after seeing the workers pour the melted aluminum in the lost wax process for the Bora and Ghibli engines. I own those three cars now. I felt I had died and gone to heaven! Men tend to buy cars that they cherished when 16 yrs old, then they keep them for 15 years.
Thank God that there is no cure for being a massive gear head. I took my 8 year old great grandson to Pebble for 10 days this August/24 my 30th time and of course his first. Poor boy was blown away. Only time will tell if he gives a damn or not and if he cares then he has sensed the best and can build off of that. It is a love affair!
Great article Mike! I don’t know how you can keeping up with the good ideas!! Congrats, I remember when we were riding around Italy, and you said you were going to do this! I thought you were nuts! Just keep em coming Don
I also think you buy (at least a sports or luxury car) to fit the image you want to project. I still regret the time I spotted a car on a used car lot from my employer’s office had an Iso Grifo Corsa for sale for $6000 in 1970 but i didn’t walk over and look at it because i thought it would project too ferocious an image…