Musclecar value question - Page 4

**Dave Rifkin** · #31 10-18-2006, 02:40 AM

442W30; it was I would made the comment, not a complaint, about the disproportionate values placed on these Mopars compared to other, sometimes rarer, musclecars and I can assure you it is not a case of "sour grapes" since I don't own any of these super valuable cars.
I simply don't understand why the Mopars, particularly the Hemis, are valued so highly when they aren't the rarest, the fastest or the best looking of the musclecars. In my original post I used the L88 Corvette as a comparison; here's a car that's rarer than most of the super valuable cars, performs as well or better than most, has a real racing history behind it and in my opinion is one of the better looking cars of their time. Yet, with all of this going for it, the prices still lag behind many of the Hemi cars.
Some have tried to explain the huge differences in values due to supply and demand while others seem to think it is because the Mopars,as well as other musclecars, represent the cars that most could afford back in the day so they relate better to them. The Corvette demanded a premium and was not something most young men, or women, could afford so these Mopars and other branded musclecars are more familiar and therefore more in demand.
These explanations I can see as making sense but, I can assure you there isn't a case of sour grapes here. I love all musclecars and I can safely say that each manufacturer built at least one car that I would truly love to have in my garage so I have no strong ties to any one brand or model.

**njsteve** · #32 10-18-2006, 04:09 AM

A big block Chevy looks like...well, any other big block Chevy. There is no major visual difference between a 396 and an L88. But a hemi looks like no other engine, except for what they run in Top Fuel. Maybe it boils down to the fact that the hemi is just a name everyone knows (even though they may have no idea what it means other than FAST)...and its a lot sexier to look at.

**olredalert** · #33 10-18-2006, 04:44 AM

-------Only my opinion but I think rare Corvettes are lagging a bit at the moment because they were popular collector cars a long time before the johnny-come-latelys (Hemis, COPOs, etc.). Collectors have just in the last several years come around to consider these other rare cars as truly collectable. Corvettes have just been in the public eye a bit too long and are therefore a bit old hat. They will have thier day in the sun again. They always have. Just throwing this out to see weather you guys give this brainstorm of mine any credence........Bill S

**mockingbird812** · #34 10-18-2006, 04:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
A big block Chevy looks like...well, any other big block Chevy. There is no major visual difference between a 396 and an L88. But a hemi looks like no other engine, except for what they run in Top Fuel. Maybe it boils down to the fact that the hemi is just a name everyone knows (even though they may have no idea what it means other than FAST)...and its a lot sexier to look at.

[/ QUOTE ]

But, you don't quite get it. You see in most social settings a disproportionate head size is a detractor. You know....

"Look at the size of that boy's melon. It's like an orange on a toothpick.
No kidding. His head's like Sputnik. Spherical, but pointy in parts.
Oooh, that was a bit offsides. Now he'll cry himself to sleep on his <u>huge</u> pillow".

P.S. Do you actually like haggis?

**Hotrodpaul** · #35 10-18-2006, 06:06 AM

No other engine but the Hemi gives me that WHAM! in your face hit when I see one in person. The mile wide heads and valve covers, huge ports, directly opposed valves, cross bolted mains, and nothing sounds like it idling like a coffee can full of rocks. A Hemi Cuda or Challenger has always been my favorite musclecar. I have driven several but never been able to afford one. The race winning heritage and mystique have kept the prices up.

**njsteve** · #36 10-18-2006, 06:10 AM

[ QUOTE ]
P.S. Do you actually like haggis?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sean Connery: Haggis?
Christopher Lambert: Yes, sheep's stomach filled with meat and barley
Sean Connery: How revolting.
(Stolen from the original Highlnder movie)

**WILMASBOYL78** · #37 10-18-2006, 05:28 PM

We celebrate a Robbie Burns nite every year and the "haggis" is the center of attention. The bagpiper plays and it is brought in for all to see. The party is great fun with poems, songs and stories...there is always plenty of haggis left over!

wilma

**TimG** · #38 10-18-2006, 05:59 PM

Dazed and Confused was filmed entirely here in Austin. In the credits, they thank "Pat Sullivan" for the use of his cars, most of the cars in that movie were his. He's the fellow that owns Bill's old silver LS6 Corvette and a blue '65 fuelie Corvette that Charley used to own.
The stars in the movie just loved the old cars they had around for the shooting. The movie company really hurt his GTO and didn't want to provide any funds for the damages. The GTO that got it's door flung out in the parking lot scene was a stand-in, but the one in the shots with everyone sitting and leaning on it was his. They damaged the hood pretty bad. In the end, he got a mention in the credits for providing six cars for filming and some monetary reimbursement for damages.
About the only car that he still has that was in the movie is the big blue Grand Prix that was in the drive-in restaurant sene.

Canucklehead · #39 10-18-2006, 08:06 PM

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that mopar parts are hard to come by. Also look at the amount of corvettes that are out there. In the BJ auctions 30% are corvettes, there seems to be more out there then were ever made, yes i know they're not all the rare ones, but if a guy wants one for scooting around town, they're everywhere.

**rich p** · #40 10-23-2006, 05:45 AM

I will say I have driven a lot of Musclecars but I got to drive a ZL1 at the Reunion and have to say that it is one Sick Camaro.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.