[Frank15]

So, I think its great how most of us respect and understand the collectibility of our cars.
What I wonder is were people like this in the late 60's and early 70's with the original muscle cars?
I mean, when some guy went out and bought a new 1969 Mach 1, did the thought of it being a collectors item cross his mind? I would hope that someone who bought something as rare as a GT500KR or Boss 429 would understand this...
Just curious, I'm too young to know.

As an aside, I'm living 250 miles away from my Bullitt right now. I get to go home this weekend and drive it! read: I'm more excited to drive my car than to go home!!!! :smile:

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Frank15 on 2002-02-18 22:05 ]</font>

 

[BULLITTBRO1]

250 miles aways, thats not to bad considering I am about 10,000+ miles from mine

 

[Frank15]

Ouch!

 

[Mustang 3]

Nope-never gave it a thought and once the gas crunch came about in 73 those cars sold for penneys on the dollar-couldn't give them away. Although engines stared gaining power in the early to mid-60's the real muscle cars started coming out in 1967-68 with the highpoints coming in 69-71: Mach 1 Cobra Jet, Bosses, Hemi Cuda, Daytona Charger, etc--these cars followed Nascar's search for more powerful engines. By 72 Ford was pulling out of racing, the gas and smog crunch had started and the orginal muscle car era was dead. Think about it-it was only a very short time period of only 5 years. The current 99 and up retro Mustang styling was suppose to go until 2004 but may now be extended to 2005 (Ford economic woes) thus we have the same body shape with minor cosmetic changes for 5-6 years--that would have been like keeping the origianl 65/66 Mustang all the way through 1970. With smog and fed gas mileage restrctions the cost of new development has gone through the roof thus the long time between serious style changes and thus the rip off of design ideas-35th Limited edition ideas taken by the 2001 GT etc--bad news-the year of glory for the Bullitt is about over. Check the Ford entry for the New York Auto Show (end of March to early April)(for got the cite-use Yahoo search for 2002 New York International Auto Show)--they descibe the new 2003 6 cyl Mustang--it is getting a new hood (can you say Cobra hood) and 'scoopless' sides (can you say Bullitt sides)--I hate it but with a single body shape lasting 5-6 years there are only so many body design ideas to go around.

Bullitt 1046
01 S281SC 93

 

[strokerswild]

Being an owner of two '60s cars, I guess I tend to think of my Bullitt as just a unique and incredibly entertaining way to get to work more than anything. The main reason I bought mine was that I was recently relocated to a different plant within my company with a 48-mile round trip, and my '00 F150 was eating way too much gas. Besides, my wife's Exploder could do most of what the truck could (see how I justified the Mustang?).

As far as collectibility is concerned, I think our cars will have a following. But, I have my doubts I will still have mine when they begin to appreciate 20 years down the road. Time will tell!

 

[68DARKHORSE]

My neighbor told me he knows a guy who bought a 66 GT350 in Houston, drove it to Austin, and put it in a garage. It's been on blocks since. Sounds like a waste to me. This car isn't going to be worth that much more than clean original or restored car that was driven.

 

[strokerswild]

That's freakin' sad. Cars are meant to be driven!!! There are so many more better choices for investments than cars, which have to be one of the worst. People like that should just buy art and be happy with their static displays.....

 

[02392]

We are the original owners of the Talladega. It has 32,000 original miles on it - as you can see, we don't drive it much anymore. Most of the mileage (18,000) was put on it during the first year and a half or so that we owned it.

 

[Mustang 3]

I do not want the 'upset' the Board but if you bought a Bullitt thinking it would be a great investment piece-sorry not going to happen. The 60's Muscle cars have shot up in value due to limited production (remember the population of the US was 1/2 of what it is now), alot of the cars were destroyed (accidents and 73 gas crunch/neglect thereafter)and a whole lot of baby boomers wanting to either (depending on age) rebuy what they had back then or for those a little younger-buy now what they couldn't buy then. The 68 is a classic-used in a Movie (Bullitt)--As far as I know the 01 bullitt has not yet been used in a cult classic chase film yet--as the poster says "In case they make a sequel'. As far as future baby boomers-kids of today (not all) are chasing after the imports. To this day I can recall my sister's best friends boyfriend (lost yet) coming by in his hopped up blue 66 fastback mustang with shelby side windows installed-that car made a great impression on me as a 9 yr old some 35 yrs ago. I do not think there are too many kids out there dying to grow up and buy a 01 Bullitt. The 01 Bullitt followed the 99 Limited Edition (all the dealers pointed put that it was limted to 5,000 copies and the value would soar-it didn't) now the Bullitt will have its' side scoops placed on every 03 6 cyl Mustang and the Bullitt will be followed by the Mach 1. Then there is the change in either 04 or 05--Can anyone outthere tell me about the 94 30th limited edition Mustang??? I doubt it. Sorry to bring you down-just did it to myself---Which means get the damn car out of the garage and drive it-ENJOY IT--you are alive and well now, use the bloody thing to have fun and don't worry about keeping it in a garage for "collector's value". I owned a 35th limited edition for 2 yrs in which I put all of 3,500 miles on the car to 'save it as a classic'-dumb!!

As to the comment about a 66 GT350 never driven and in constant storage since 66. If true and with less than a thousand miles-sorry to correct you but that car is worth a fortune-at least $75,000 to $100,000 at auction-well above the $40,000-45,000 a freshly restored Shelby is worth.

Bullitt 1046
01 S281SC 93

 

[Pony XTC]

The 429 Boss was made to the public only because of grand prix rules. Ford wanted it in racing but it must be in production first. Only 500 were made to accomadate gran prix rules. Whoever bought them MUST have known about collectability potential. My dream by the way is one in Grabber Blue.

 

[strokerswild]

True, an original, unrestored car is only original once and a Shelby in that condition with virtually no miles is nearly priceless.

But, I would have rather had the memories of over three decades of driving rather than looking at it sitting on blocks.....

Hate to correct you XTC, but the Boss '9 was a NASCAR thing. They had to build a certain number of vehicles with the engine from the factory to homologate it for NASCAR. I'll take a '69 in basic black.....
_________________
Bullitt TB#570
'00 Explorer Sport
'67 Cougar 289-8V
'66 Ford Custom 2-door 460CJ
Assortment of stroked Harleys

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: strokerswild on 2002-02-19 16:51 ]</font>

 

[6treva9]

I've always had a hard time with this topic.
DRIVE IT!
If I still have my car in 20 years, then we'll talk collectibility.
I do not believe the first 2 owners of my '69 knew it would be collectible. They drove the car, but took decent care of it.
I plan to drive the Bullitt (every day, since it's my daily driver)...take really good care of her, and see what happens down the road.

My husband would like me to trailer the Mach to shows...I can't do it! I'm certain the cars were built to drive, and that's what I'm gonna do!

This does not mean that I don't WANT the Bullitt to be a collectible...that would be cool, but I refuse to miss out on the driving experience along the way!!!
just my 2 cents

 

[strokerswild]

Bravo, 6treva9.

 

[Mus408]

The thing I really miss about the 60s and 1970,is that,in Fords case,you could order the top of the line performance engine option,in any body style,and order whatever potions you needed. There wasn't all of this exclusiveness placed on the top performer. Wouldn't it be nice to order up a base Mustang with the 390 HP Cobra engine! I mean now you have to spend $35,000+ to get the Cobra,then for ultimate track performance,you have to strip it of most of it's road race suspension parts. Some owners won't need those huge front tires,and stiff front end setup.

 

[Mustang 3]

Short (ha) follow up to my momologue above-in 20yrs who knows what the value of the 01 Bullitt will be-heck in 2 yrs we could have a mid-east crisis and gas shoots to $5 a gallon and V8's die again as they did in the 70's. The real secret here is to enjoy the car NOW- DRIVE IT BUT and this is very important-drive it but don't trash it. I could be very wrong as to future 'collectability and value' -I hope I am but don't sit around and let the world pass you by, its too short--drive that car ...In my book driving does not equal neglect nor abuse..I wash mine at least once a week-twice in the spring and summer. My Saleen gets driven twice a month (never on wet roads during the winter thus once a month at best) but it gets washed once a week anyway. It takes work but you can drive these beautiful machines and still keep them in great 'collectible' condition.

An interesting point-up until 98 the best Mustang GT had 235 hp (and the Cobra at 305)--in one year it made the jump to 260 and then with the Bullitt to 270/75. With the Mach 1 up to a probable 300. The Corvette Z06 has jumped to just over 405 and the new Cobra will be 410 plus (that 390 is a way low estimate)This in many ways is a horsepower war similiar to the late 60's-how long will this one last before pollution controls, federal mileage caps and INSURANCE RATES bring this power charge to a halt--another point of interest in the 'collector/value' issue.

As to that 68 Talladega--that really should be driven and loved by someone who will DRIVE IT and if not then SOLD to someone who will. (hint, hint, hint)

Bullitt 1046
01 S281SC 93

 

[strokerswild]

The horsepower race sure seems to be raging again. But as you say, how long can it last?

Much like the previous post from Mus408, I too long for the days of plain-jane wrappers infused with massive power. I would personally love to go down to the local dealer and order a plain Mineral Gray coupe with a cloth interior and the new blown Cobra drivetrain, and not much else. It's a shame that these days you have to pay for all the nonsense you may not want (i.e. what the factory thinks you want) just to get the good parts.

 

[02392]

Talladegas were only produced in 1969 with a total of 754. They came in 3 colors: blue, maroon, and Wimbledon white. Reunions have been held every five years beginning in 1989 at Talladega.

I was hoping to keep the car a total of 50 years because how many people actually keep a car that long? But, because we don't do much with it anymore, we have considered your suggestion. (However, our one daughter wouldn't take this too well as she's been counting on it being her car one day!)

 

[Mus408]

My pick for low-buck 1970....A plain Mustang coupe,white,with those plain wheels,428 SCJ option with Drag-Pack,and C-6 auto.!!!

 

[strokerswild]

Yep, Falcon was the low-ball end of the Torino range in '70 (not sure about '71). Same basic body as the Fairlane (more of a formal roof than a flatter fastback), which was the middle offering. My brother has a '70 Fairlane with 351C-4V power, and the 429 CJ/SCJ was an option on any of them. Don't see too many of any of them anymore.

 

[Pony XTC]

Thanks Stroker