Rarity increases an antique car value : Myth or Reality ?

How many times have you been to a car show and saw a sign on a car…" only one of 308 every produced!" Was it a true limited edition vehicle? A car of extreme high cost, engineering excellence or exclusivity ? Or, did they sell only that many because no one wanted to drive the ugly thing? Could it have been grossly over priced compared to similar vehicles? Cars are rare for many reasons, some build collector value and some reinforce why the car didn't sell in the first place.

Not many Duesenbergs where built mostly because of cost and the economics of the society at the time…they are certainly among today's top collector cars. Ford only produced 76 1960 Edsel convertibles, not because the car was especially bad, or ugly, but production was cut short as the entire Edsel line was dropped shortly after introduction. Yet, these too are highly collectable. Yet, without trying to offend any of our readers, cars such as the Hudson Jet, Henry J, King Midget, never sold in great numbers new due to missing some element that attracted the masses. As collector's items these cars are but a few of many that continue to lack some certain appeal that has yielded high antique car value. Some modern factory "limited editions" are "limited" to only as many as the factory can sell.

Rarity of survival; There are certain cars that while built in lower volume than most collector cars, seemed to be perceived as "special" from the start. Examples include; '55-57 Thunderbirds, Ford Retractable hardtops, Avantis, Chevrolet Nomads, early Corvettes, Chrysler Town & Country convertibles and sedans and so on. These cars due to exceptionally appealing styling or filling a specific marketing niche, stuck and many were delegated to Sunday's only or at least a little pampering. In this case the antique car value is quite robust.

How many times have you gone to car a show and read the most dangerous sign of all…"only one of 3 known to exist in the world today!" Known to whom? By what standard? By registrations? By some formula? We guarantee that if you place one of these signs on your car at a major car event an identical car will pull in next to you. So much for high antique car value !

Also, ironically, cars such as the ones we have listed above, while "blue chip" collector cars of the hobby, their antique car values have seen relatively stable fluctuations. No rapid jumps, no skyrockets, but a solid, constant demand that has allowed them to climb slower in value and yet remain less volatile.

Rarity of options; Yes, the third famous ill-fated car show sign. "One of only three known to exist with hi-po 454 engine, factory air, lighted tissue dispenser and special order DO9 code Burgandy paint!" Yes, some of these factors can matter to the purist and impact on the antique car value, but in the overall hobby market you won't find too many sympathetic ears. Good solid, basic collector cars don't need gimmicks or obscure options to prove solid antique car value. Of course, some high performance car engine options can mean a whole lot. That "R" code as the 5th digit in the serial number of your 1967 Mercury Comet, can more than double the cars value, as it would have a super rare 425h.p. /427 cu.in.V8.

Rarity can help your antique car value, but it isn't everything. Originality, low miles, restoration authenticity, quality of construction on restorations and especially street rods can mean a lot. As a matter of fact, condition, condition, condition is the paramount word in collector car valuation. So get your creative mind going nd head for the garage as a little restoration / upgrade will likely prove be more important that rarity.