C body Chrysler value seemingly on the rise

NWPT70

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I just found this article published in 2018.

Market watch: Classic fuselage Chryslers finding new love

I have been personally watching the market over recent years as I have bought/sold/traded/still own a handful of C Bodies and agree the value of these cars are going up especially after seeing how many sell to overseas as well as resell over seas. Just search any 1969-73 Chrysler on Youtube and over half the videos are in foreign languages.

What do you guys think? Are these cars as hot here in the US as overseas? Are we going to be priced out of the market anytime soon?
 
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They are much more valuable now than five years ago.
You won't be priced out of the market as most foreign buyers don't spend into the teens for one.

I've been a C body guy for about 38 years and have been paying attention to prices since my early teens. I'm lucky to have had the ones I've had and fortunate to pick the buyer of three of the last four I've sold. Prices are definitely up.
 
In my opinion, the market for most C-Bodies is trending up but not hugely so in this country. Large American cars are generally in high demand in Europe because Europeans have long been fascinated the the size, power and gadgetry of our full sized cars. Premium example of C-Bodies command much higher prices in Europe than they do here. This is a fairly specialized market that is not blessed with a real high volume. Collector cars including C-Bodies took a big hit after the financial crisis and have now started a significant recovery but this is tempered by the fact that the age group to which this cars have high appeal is mostly folks at or past retirement age and the "Boomers" are starting to die off and that puts more large cars back on the market. Premium cars will continue to do well, restorations costs are rising which makes project cars less feasible to anyone but a deep pocket buyer.

Dave
 
In my opinion, the market for most C-Bodies is trending up but not hugely so in this country. Large American cars are generally in high demand in Europe because Europeans have long been fascinated the the size, power and gadgetry of our full sized cars. Premium example of C-Bodies command much higher prices in Europe than they do here. This is a fairly specialized market that is not blessed with a real high volume. Collector cars including C-Bodies took a big hit after the financial crisis and have now started a significant recovery but this is tempered by the fact that the age group to which this cars have high appeal is mostly folks at or past retirement age and the "Boomers" are starting to die off and that puts more large cars back on the market. Premium cars will continue to do well, restorations costs are rising which makes project cars less feasible to anyone but a deep pocket buyer.

Dave
Dave,You pretty much nailed it.

I like to add that there is a generation of 20/30 somethings that are into the C's.
Some are members here and I had met quite a few at car shows that are passionate about our big cars.
Talented young guns like Wyatt and Nick just to mention a couple they are the future of our hobby.
Other young guns have kids and want to share the hobby with them and have a car that can fit the family. C bodies are perfect fit for that.

Good solid cars or nice original survivors that are coming out lately are commanding good dollars as most of us know that better that car to start with the better the finished result--compared to projects cars.

After market support is still very limited for the C's.
Compared to the other Mopars (that are now priced out of the stratosphere) we still have to work that much harder to restore our beloved C's.
Yet the C's that had been restored and the one still getting restored are setting the bar and are of a higher quality compared to ten years ago. That is getting the attention of organizers and judges at larger venues and car shows. Ditto car magazines.
From there it is starting to pick up steam and the values go up.
Exposure on the world wide web gets the attention of everybody.

Finally, I encourage all C owners to drive them everywhere.
Exposure and recognition from the general public is the best gratification.
They were built to be driven not trailer queens like other high dollar Mopars.
 
I can,t understand why people pay 35-40K for a (example)75 Frod bronco /Chevy novaII when you can buy a great C-body/Mopar for that money ……..??!!
 
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I got into the Fuselage game in late 2016...popularity and value has definitely increased since then. I'm glad to have the cars I've got.

The prices I've seen stuff fetch is pretty astounding and others I figured would be up there sell for dirt.

It comes down to want and need.
 
I believe the market in Europe seems to be flat or declining some due to the economic outlook in Germany and other parts of Europe being downward. Still though, I have put cars up for sale in the U.S. that are more of a project than well finished like the ones I sell in Europe and other parts of the world. The cars I try to sell in the U.S. need some attention but are solid foundations for a restoration. I recently sold a 1970 Chrysler 300 convertible to a young couple who were into C bodies, and I sold it real cheap just to keep their interest going. The husband wanted the 1970 convertible to complement his wife's 1971 Chrysler 300 coupe that she recently inherited. They are really into these cars, so I thought losing money on the convertible would be a good move to help keep the interest up where it is possible. They live in Wyoming.

I also sold a car to Austria recently in the teens but it was perhaps the best one I have yet sold over there and runs just like new with working ice-cold a/c. They buyer frequents this site from time to time and may update us with some photos when he gets it. Here is a teaser of what he got (B7 blue):

2019-11-27 00.43.38 - Copy.jpg




Most of the cars I sell overseas, though, are very nice, well sorted out cars that the new owners can just get in and drive and enjoy them without surprises. I have not sold a car in the last few years overseas that wasn't in the teens, but I also think the interest is down some due to world economic recession fears and the tariff threats from this administration and attendant world unease as the U.S. relationships/treaties with our allies are broken while China seems to be growing and Russia seems to be gaining world influence.
 
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As we go into the market, I’m sure many of the people who do not wish to spend bucko bucks on Hemi Cuda’s and Superbirds will move onto 300 Hursts and SFGT’s and a reasonably cheap (compared to a Hemi Cuda) alternative.

With this new interest, I suspect a great deal of 300s, Fury III’s and SF’s will raise in value as people begin cloning GT’s and Hursts.
 
Starting in the later '70s, when the economy is slow, CD interest rates are low, people began to look for other places to put their money. "Collector Cars" was an easy place to do it, which many did. Providing they had the surplus funds to do it.

So the car market went up (prices and activity), still following that cycle over the decades. KEY thing was to find a quality car with either an excellent restoration or well-maintained original, rather than a "bondo beauty".

I feel that C-bodies will always be discovered by other Mopar enthusiasts, as many others discover that a bigger car can ride firmly (but comfortably) without the mushiness which tended to characterize similar Fords and GMs of that era, turn and corner well without tire noise, and stop quickly with less brake pedal travel than a similar GM car. And, when you open the throttle, it moves quickly! The same family traits which people like about the B/E cars. No cramped back seat room, plus a trunk that can hold LOTS of stuff, too! AND with some nice style, too! A nice investment/conversation piece, to say the least.

Chrysler products also had a uniqueness about them that went beyond the sheet metal. Colors/trim combinations that neither Ford or GM usually did, by observation. Plus "the numbers" related to these things. For those who might care.

Chevy might have built 10K Impala convertibles in any given model year, with ALL Chrysler divisions not coming anywhere close to that COMBINED, in the same model year, for example.

When "The Standard Book of Chrysler" came out, I looked at production numbers for the three C-body cars I have (bought or inherited). The '66 Newport 6-Window Town Sedan was under 25K, as is my '67 Newport CE23, and certainly my '70 DH43N Monaco Brougham. The '66 CL42 was neat when new, but still a "used car". Same with the '67 CE23. The DH43 is unique as the Brougham Package was probably a lower-installation rate option. PLUS the 383 "N" motor is only listed in the Service Manual, NOT in the owner's manual or sales literature (with a March, 1970 build date on the door decal). Plus it has the W23 Class II road wheels! The CE23 has the bucket/buddy seat interior and optional 383 4bbl, so that knocks its similar numbers down a bit, too. But when I bought the '67 and '70, they were just spiffy used cars. The lower production numbers for those models and particular mix of options does not always equate to higher values, though, except to a small group who might care . . . AND understand.

Just some thoughts and observations.,
CBODY67
 
C bodies, maybe? Overseas market? Yeah! Judging by the way the rest of the old car market is going, I don't see it happening anytime soon! Here's a discussion on a different board about this subject. I don't see them going up at all! Prices stabilizing and dropping in value, YES!
Selling collector cars, how's the market for you?
 
Dropping values and depreciatory interest are only a bad thing if you wanna sell.
For people who are in it for the long haul, it might actually be a good thing.
- Parts prices wil be accordingly lower and more available.
- The market will not attract... well, let's call them Short Time Owners; which is better for both the market and the cars.
- Cars are less likely to end up in a private collection gathering dust whilst giving the owners just the pleasure of increasing value. Instead of that, they'll more likely be used and really appreciated by their owners for what they do best: cruisin' :steering:.
 
Condition and a history thereof, particular model and color will help elevate prices. The days of a fixer-upper and flippers are gone.....for any market....too many hidden and unintended surprises in the course of a restoration depending on the degree (how much work and $$ you want to put in it)!
 
In my opinion, I think it's great the C-body cars are going up in value. Yeah it may not be as much as a HEMI whatever but it's still something. It means C-bodies cars are getting more appreciation. Which is great considering a few years ago less people gave a damn, unless it was a Sport Fury GT. Just my opinion.
 
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