Auction prices of antiques

[Jeff/Illinois]

..including antique cars is dropping. At a true sale not the hype they put on the Speed Channel.

I spoke to a good friend from our church who has been an auctioneer for 50 years and he told me he sees a definite trend of falling prices, and he believes it will continue for a long time to come. He thinks it will be ten years before things come back. Times are harder than the news wants you to think.

I think we all know this. So what's this got to do with a Model A forum? Plenty. Save your coin and watch for that good deal to pop up they are out there and getting more common. Some pretty nice Model A's are going to be up for sale in the next few years. Cheap by comparison.

[Wick]

Ive been to more auctions with Model A parts and cars this year then ever before. Just 3 years ago I was lucky to find 1 good auction a month. Now every weekend theres not just 1 but 2,3,4 Auctions within 3 hours driving distance!(with A stuff)
And the prices....a pile of patch panels (new) for 2 bucks! Like new spotlite $9.00
20 Tilly carbs $20.00 for all. Model T stuff...now were talking real cheep.
Ive got the cattle rack on my pickup right now,jar of peanuts on the front seat,hand truck in the back ready to hit the road in the morning.
Wick

[ronn]

Agreed! 10 years may be optimistic....

[LukeDahlinger]

This will definitely be a continuing trend over the next 10-15 yrs. From what I see locally there's not much money changing hands and when there is it's because the item was priced quite low to begin with.

One reason being is age. The market will be flooded with good cars in the next few years, some at decent prices. I have plans to add another 5 or 6 A's to my collection, age is on my side(in my 30s) so I will wait and buy them once the price drops.

I've seen the hobby go thru many changes during my lifetime involvement and we will see an even bigger change on the horizon.

[30cabriolet]

Originally Posted by Wick

Ive been to more auctions with Model A parts and cars this year then ever before.

Where do you find out about the auctions? Web sites, newspapers?

[WTSHNN]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

auctionzip.com is a great site for auctions. Also check out craigslists for estate sales and garage sales.
-Tim

[Seth Swoboda]

You guys that live on the coasts, east coast espicially, are fortunate as there are much more early ford parts and cars around to buy. Just from what I see and read here on the Barn it seems like there are both restored and unrestored cars coming out of the wood work out there, not to mention all the parts availablilty out there. Here in the midwest there is a very limitied supply of parts and cars for sale.

I sometimes wonder if that is because the New England area is much older and really during the teens, 20's, 30's & 40's the population was much greater then that of the rural midwest. Therefore, there are more cars and parts available some 80-90 years later for hobbiest to purchase. Here in Illinois, the early Ford car culture is just not as previlent. When I purchase parts off the barn, more often than not, they are coming from the east and west than the midwest.

Wick, I am jealous. If I had a market as rich as you say in your area, I would definatley be a broke and single man! lol!!

[Wick]

watch the online model A club Newsletters,auction zip,craigs list. I keep a ledger of all auctions ive been to,Names and numbers of people ive met at Hershey,at Auctions and swap meets. A friend in WVA. keeps me posted on what goes on there...he will text me with a photo of a item/lot at a auction. Im Also on several mailing list.
wick

[Wick]

Alot of cars here were scraped during the War. Most of the cars are comming out of the Mountains.Back then it was too far to carrie a car off to the East cost to scrap.
Single for 22 years.

[Terry, NJ]

There were about 5 milliion "A" cars and trucks built. There are between an estimated 100 & 200 thousand on the roads. Double that number for W.I. P.
(works in progress) in backyards, garages, barns and shops. Add to that the ages of the average owners (60s, 70s , 80s) and it doesn't take a genius to see that a lot of A s will be sold by heirs in the near future. What's driving the price up? Nothing! Demand is slackening. The economy is lousy. We're all becoming "bottom Feeders"! It ain't a pretty sight!
Terry

[Seth Swoboda]

Terry, like Luke Dahlinger, I am in my 30's (31) and very interested in the hobby and have been since 1998 when I started restoring the car in my avatar. In some cases when buying parts I still find that some of the parts are bringing good money. Brent started a good thread about how the internet has changed finding parts. The money I am paying for parts now my grandfather would have thought to be insane, if he were still alive today. I still wish I lived in Wick's neck-of-the-woods!

[WTSHNN]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Terry, like Luke Dahlinger, I am in my 30's (31) and very interested in the hobby and have been since 1998 when I started restoring the car in my avatar. In some cases when buying parts I still find that some of the parts are bringing good money. Brent started a good thread about how the internet has changed finding parts. The money I am paying for parts now my grandfather would have thought to be insane, if he were still alive today. I still wish I lived in Wick's neck-of-the-woods!

I'm 29 and well aware of the sad fact that a lot of the hobby is slowly dying off. There is interest there but what are YOU and WE doing to foster it?
-Tim

[Terry, NJ]

I congradulate you! On your Victoria! On your young age! And on your interest! I'm in my 60s and I'm just restoring my first model A. That's it in my picture when it was running. It looks a little different now. Parts are everywhere! My knowledge is very incomplete. I'm always researching some esoteric bit of information. But I think that you young people who are getting into the hobby are going to be able to take advantage of lower prices in the future. Some day they'll rise again, I can't say when. but their value as antiques will go up definitely.
Sencerely, Terry

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Terry, like Luke Dahlinger, I am in my 30's (31) and very interested in the hobby and have been since 1998 when I started restoring the car in my avatar. In some cases when buying parts I still find that some of the parts are bringing good money. Brent started a good thread about how the internet has changed finding parts. The money I am paying for parts now my grandfather would have thought to be insane, if he were still alive today. I still wish I lived in Wick's neck-of-the-woods!

[LukeDahlinger]

Seth & WTSHNN,

The problem I run across is people our age think they are cool but they don't want to own one. They and the 16-24 generation are more into little shitbox ricers and bathtub Caprices with enough sound system to move the San Andreas Fault.

One problem which I'm sure is the same all over is the 'stiff neck, high hat' attitude of some people in local clubs. While one or two members welcome a newb with open arms, the others with the holier than thou mentality ruin what could be a good experience.

I've experienced it first hand. In some clubs you gotta be 50 or older to join...LOL

I belong to no local club, if I found the right one I might join, but age does play a major factor and people like us are a minority in an otherwise 'old folks hobby'.

[Seth Swoboda]

Luke, I don't belong to a local club eaither. My dad does. This is getting off topic from the original posting but I get a lot of thumbs up and waves when I tour in my Model A. I agree, many young people think they are too cool for this hobby but I don't let those people bother me. I recieved many laughes when I bought my A when I was in high school, but I was determined to get her back to tip top, original condition. Maybe more young people would get involved if the cost of the hobby weren't a factor? With the cost of college and living expenses high that alone might be a limiting factor for those that are interested in a Model A and just can't afford to own one. I was fortunate enough to have parents that helped me financially through college so that I could persue my early Ford hobby/addiction. It runs in the family and I have to credit my grandfather for getting me hooked on early Fords. How good does it get when your first lesson in driving a standard transmission was a 1932 Ford Model B coupe? If that doesn't get you excited......

[WTSHNN]

Originally Posted by LukeDahlinger

One problem which I'm sure is the same all over is the 'stiff neck, high hat' attitude of some people in local clubs. While one or two members welcome a newb with open arms, the others with the holier than thou mentality ruin what could be a good experience.

I am lucky enough that I was welcomed into my local regions fairly easily. There are the obvious...."stubborn" people who see me as just another kid, I'm ok with that. I've made some great friends who are twice my age and we get along just fine. My friends my age think it is really cool and don't mind going for rides in it but they, like us, have our different hobbies and revenue burners.

-Tim

[29RPU]

Back to topic (not that I minde the new one). Things are getting less expensive than we realize because the dollar is worth way less now. I know everyone knows that, but that means a $9 spotlite is really like getting it for 4.50. We pay 9 for it, but the $9 is only worth 4.50...and will continue to steadily decline as long as the fools keep printing more money.

Not meaning to dance on the political wall here, so back to the good news which is: prices are really comeing down on things we want to buy. Another cool think is I think some of the 'stashes' are becoming for sale as horders and collectors need some money. That means, if my guess is right, that some really cool stuff will hit the market.

Now, the question is, which of us will have the money to spend as things deteriorate? I hope it isn't as bad as I think it will be, but I think it will be.

[RcT]

To all of you still under fifty or so...

I salute you and thank you for your interest in the Model A Fords; now I have a suggestion for you all. With the economy in it's present state, and the fact it will probably not be getting better for some time, and the fact that all of us older guys are going to continue to get older... and oh yes, all the requests for Model A Mechanics on this site, I would think the time is ripe for you to open an antique auto service and repair shop. I, for one, am not ready to part with my car, but as i get older, I really have to motivate myself to get under this thing anymore and do the necessary lube jobs and maintenance.

Sorry for leaving the topic here, but this seemed like a good time to say this.

After reading some of the follow ups, maybe this might be more realistic than a full restoration shop. That is, more of a maintenance facility; for oil changes, brake adjustments, electrical quirks and minor repairs that may take some equipment the average hobbyist does not have. Maybe the specialized stuff, like body work, engine rebuilding, upholstery, etc. could be farmed out by this facility. Just an afterthought...

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by RcT

To all of you still under fifty or so...

I salute you and thank you for your interest in the Model A Fords; now I have a suggestion for you all. With the economy in it's present state, and the fact it will probably not be getting better for some time, and the fact that all of us older guys are going to continue to get older... and oh yes, all the requests for Model A Mechanics on this site, I would think the time is ripe for you to open an antique auto service and repair shop. I, for one, am not ready to part with my car, but as i get older, I really have to motivate myself to get under this thing anymore and do the necessary lube jobs and maintenance.

Sorry for leaving the topic here, but this seemed like a good time to say this.

RcT,

I have given your idea of doing an antique auto repair business some serious thought. I have a great job now that provides some really good benefits (which we all know are very valuable) so my question is how much of a demand for that kind of business is there and is it sustainable? Again without getting into the politics of it, there are so many regualtions that a person needs to go through to get a business of this nature off the ground, epa, osha, dept. of labor ect..... so my question remains, is there enough work, demand and need for this type of service? Brent in TN is a great success story BUT he has an established business started many years ago.

Anyone wish to opine?

[Ross/Kzoo]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

RcT,

I have given your idea of doing an antique auto repair business some serious thought. I have a great job now that provides some really good benefits (which we all know are very valuable) so my question is how much of a demand for that kind of business is there and is it sustainable? Again without getting into the politics of it, there are so many regualtions that a person needs to go through to get a business of this nature off the ground, epa, osha, dept. of labor ect..... so my question remains, is there enough work, demand and need for this type of service? Brent in TN is a great success story BUT he has an established business started many years ago.

Anyone wish to opine?

Going into a business like this seems like the best way is to get your feet wet while staying in your present job. Once the word of mouth gets around you might have some loyal customers. Then just see where it goes from there.