Classics by Decade: Which Cars Were the Best Investments

Hindsight is a force of evil that no one can escape. If you had only known how much those Babe Ruth baseball cards were going to be worth, you never would have let your mother chuck them out with the rest of your childhood junk. The same goes for cars. Over the decades, certain cars have stood the test of time much more impressively than others.

Today, those cars have values that far exceed their original price tags. If only you had had an almanac of the future that told you which models would bring you the biggest profits. In case you ever find yourself traveling back in time, print out this information to help you return to the future with a valuable automobile from the past.

Year: 1930

Make: General Motors

Model: Cadillac V-16

Original Price: $100

Today’s Value: $125,000

If you were alive in 1930, you probably weren’t driving. You certainly didn’t have enough money to buy a Cadillac V-16. But only if you could have. There aren’t many Cadillac V-16s left in the world.

Any that you find are likely in a museum, and you can’t buy them for less than $125,000 (assuming that the car is in good condition). It’s not unheard of for the cars to sell for around half a million dollars. Why the hefty price when other cars from that decade are valued at half that?

One reason is the small number of V-16s that were made. GM only produced a little over 4,000 of them, which made them collectors items as soon as they were put together. The value also gets a boost because all of the V-16s were custom made for their owners. History also has an impact on the modern value of the V-16.

GM started manufacturing them in 1930, a year when the Great Depression hadn’t yet ruined the dream of a Roaring 20s that would last forever. Little more than a year later, though, Americans woke up from the party with some serious hangovers. Most people had problems finding work, let alone work that paid enough for them to afford fancy cars. That led to lower production, which led to rarity and higher prices on the modern antiques market.

Year: 1941

Make: Buick

Model: Estate Wagon

Original Price: about $1500

Today’s Value: $60,000 or more in good shape

The Buick Woody Estate Wagon had a dramatic influence on automobile manufacturing that persists today. This was one of the first popular station wagons. The wood paneling along the side became a classic look that would return in the 1970s and 80s.

The Estate Wagon was the kind of car that families drove rather than the kind that rich people kept on display in front of their fancy homes. With all of that driving, few of the cars are still in excellent condition. Those that are can sell for more than $60,000.

These cars were great investments for those who drove them sparingly and took regular maintenance seriously. For the biggest profit from your time travel investments, find an Estate Wagon that has all of its original parts without any repairs. That will set your specimen apart from the others and allow you to command a higher price.

Year: 1955

Make: Chevrolet

Model: Corvette

Original Price: $2775

Today’s Value: $175,000

When a car is truly awesome, it can only increase in value. Few cars are more awesome than the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette, which helps explain why they are valued at $175,000 today.

The 1955 Corvette has a sleek exterior that might remind you of several European cars made during the same decade. With its big front lights and tear-drop shape, it certainly has style. Don’t forget that the Corvette is a muscle car of the highest caliber. These two-seaters had plenty of get-up-and-go. You certainly won’t have any problem hitting 88 mph for your converted flux capacitor to send you back to 2011.

Like all cars, the more original, the better. Grab one hot off the sales lot to maximize your profits. Don’t skimp by using a used-car dealership. A perfect specimen will reap you much greater rewards in the future.

Year: 1969

Make: Chevrolet

Model: Camaro SS

Original Price: About $3500

Today’s Value: $400,000 (customized and sold as RK1)

If you have $400,000 to drop on an awesome muscle car, then you have to check out the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RK1. If you have a custom version with original chassis, you can pretty much name your price and someone will throw the money down.

How can a car cost that much money? You can’t discount the cool factor. This machine, however, has earned a reputation for one of the most powerful cars on the road. Custom versions can often reach 200 mph without shaking. You know, just in case you ever need to top 200.

Hopefully, you, as a time traveler, have some engineering experience. The RK1 is an upgraded version of the Camaro SS. You won’t get $400,000 for any SS that you buy right off the lot. You’re going to need some modifications that help the car reach its true potential. A little work to match the RK1, though, and you’ll be rolling in the money.

Year: 1970

Make: Ford

Model: Mustang Boss 429

Original Price: About $4000

Today’s Value: $275,000

The best investments are cars that you can afford to purchase but can’t afford NOT to sell. As a time traveler, you are certainly affluent enough to purchase a Ford Mustang Boss 429, especially in 1970 dollars.

A well maintained 429 with a few upgrades can sell for $275,000 in 2011. That’s a whole lot of loot that could help fund your future travel plans.

IN CONCLUSION

When you know what cars to purchase and hold on to, you can make a ton of cash. Come to think of it, you might want to purchase cars in the past and then shoot ahead to the future, where they will certainly bring you even more money. Forget 2011. Why not take your antique cars to 3011. As long as people collect cars, the prices will only go up on valued models. Looking at the profits, maybe cars look like a better investment opportunity than stocks, anyway.

Image Sources

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