Current values of Modal A's

The economy is the problem now. I have friends that are having problems selling their 50s,60s70s and hot rods. I believe the Model A will always have the interest of many, just look at the response of people as you drive it on the road.
 
As for cars that don't yield upon sale what you put into them, check out Model T's. I put about $10K into my 26 Model T coupe in 1980 and could now sell it for about $7000 on a good day. Of course it was my grandfather's work car when he lived in Frankfort, South Dakota so it had special meaning and I am not going to sell it anyway. Model T's just don't have the interest of past years...unless it is an early brass which seems to be worth its weight in gold. But that is Model T's and this is a Model A forum so I digress.....
 
I agree that the economy still isn't great.

wait till tomorrow afternoon...........................:)
 
I agree with others the economy is slow for the common man. Bad timing for me as Mom and Dad are selling the farm and moving to town so Mom can be closer to docs etc dealing with her Leukemia. Trying to get a lot sold that I do not have room to store. Going to dissassemble most of the rear ends and such and only keep good internal pieces, brakes and radius rods. Hoping my shop is not too full to be usable by the time all of this is done. Thinking most of the AA parts will end up in the scrap even though the money advertised is already near scrap price. Trying to decide how many engines to keep and how best to store them to take up the least room. Good luck on selling the coupe, but don't take it in the shorts too bad as there is always a place to dig your heels in and so no. Rod
 
While I agree with the general consensus on flat to declining values, the A still has wide appeal as an entry-level prewar collector car. While a lot of people tend to buy what they remember, a smaller group "graduates",or become true collectors branching into the eras of interest, not just their youth. About half of the A owners I know well are younger than me (51), and none would remember these cars when new. The issue is that just like the MGB is to brit car fans, the A is not rare and the supply of good cars meets the demand at current pricing. Any further changes in either direction are unlikely to be life changing. But a good car should find a buyer, one needs to understand it is a competitive market. The silver lining to me, is a fairly steady market. Our Fords are generally easier sells than many less popular non Full Classic prewar cars, for all the reasons, simplicity, great parts and support, etc. We all know about. But they will never be rare enough for huge appreciation.

In terms of younger interest, I spent labor day weekend at the limerock historics and it was incredible how many young people were there, some I think will eventually get into prewar cars if not already there...
 
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Trying to decide how many engines to keep and how best to store them to take up the least room

some old engines can be stored outside and upside down, if filled with old oil, will keep them from locking up................just a thought.
 
Anyone who looks at a Model "A" in terms of money is in for a rude awakening. There is no way the selling price will recoup the cost of restoration for a typical Model "A." This sad fact is more the case these days because of the Shxxxy economy.

Restoring a Model "A" needs to be a labor of love and for the elation of accomplishing a difficult task.
 
Bob Bidonde said:
Anyone who looks at a Model "A" in terms of money is in for a rude awakening. There is no way the selling price will recoup the cost of restoration for a typical Model "A." This sad fact is more the case these days because of the Shxxxy economy.

Restoring a Model "A" needs to be a labor of love and for the elation of accomplishing a difficult task.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with you. You have to wonder why people pour thousands, thousands and more thousands into a car that will likely sell for far, far less. Maybe they just won't believe what reality had in store for them. Wayne
 
There are multiple reasons why Model T and A values are falling or stagnant; it's complex.

One factor not mentioned above is the recent beating the USD has given the Aussie, Kiwi and Canadian dollars as well as the Euro, Rouble and others. There was a huge number of USA old cars being purchased and exported by foreign buyers only a coupe of years ago. The Aussie $ has gone from a peak of 1.10USD in 2011 to 0.71 today...that's down more than 30%. Plus on top of that the Australian, Canadian, etc. economies are in decline with current low commodity prices.

With perhaps 50% less foreign buyers in the USA old car market the supply demand equation changes.

 
There is a practical side to this. I am 54, finally have the time and money to get an A. I choose the A over the T and several other option (Willies,Dodge) because I could drive it daily. I have several friends who think the same way. They don't want a parade car they want a fun car they can use. T's will stabilize in price in a couple of years as they reach 100yr old. A's will go up in price at that same point. A friend of mine from Kuwait just went for a ride in my car and he will be taking pictures back home. When the wealthy class in the Middle East (Who are getting board with euro cars) get a taste of Models A's they will drive the price up on the best and the rest will follow. The nice thing about a driver is that even if it doesn't increase in value, I had fun! And you can spend a lot more money trying to do that without the satisfaction you get in a Model A.
 
My wife and I were pondering the same sort of thought the other day, we are a young couple, I love cars of all kinds, but you don't see many younger crowd getting into the old original cars or really ANY old cars for that matter. I love them in all shapes and forms.
A friend of mine runs a customs shop and can sell model a "hot rods" as fast as he can build them and making good money doing it. To some its a shame that the old cars get hot rodded and I see that, but he starts out with bodies only. (he says its easier that way than to have to deal with old frames, engines, etc.) but also I see it as at least these beautiful old bodies get to see the road again in some form. With that being said...back to the topic. its a whole lot easier to get in the 20's with a hot rod as with a stock restoration, at least around here.
Restoration is about loving the car. I vowed to never start another project unless its something I know I will be able to afford and be ok with keeping for the long haul. Its easy to get upside down in a project, especially if you're having to pay labor for any part of it.
 
I would agree with the above statements. I've been lurking around these parts for a while now, reading and learning-but I don't have the $$ yet to purchase something. What with paying off student loans, rent/mortgage, other family costs (apparently you're expected to feed a child after it's born) and other financial obligations it does take a while to build up any sort of nest egg. I find it's even harder to protect said nest-egg from encroachment due to other unexpected costs.

+1 to the "never expect to get out what you put in". I'm always hesitant to lowball someone on any sort of historic item, as you don't want to insult them, but I've found that many sellers look at a low offer as a statement of the items worth/their worth, and not what it is-the amount of money a buyer would be willing and able to put out.

The fall of the Cdn dollar versus USD has also (essentially) taken any US vehicles off the market for me. A 30% price increase coming over the line, plus taxes/etc makes it a bit much.
Colin
 
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Back to you Barner folks......thanks for the return notes in reference to my Post - Current values of A's

If, mine gets a buyer, I and my wife will not be happy to see it go. I have or we have a lot of enjoyment traveling around with this neat vehicle. We both work on it and we both drive it. If, we don't need anything big or bulky from the store, we take the "A". It's an everyday driver and we use it.
 
Ron, I was mainly thinking of vertical shelving and how to constuct it with materials I have on hand. I do not plan on putting any outside. If I get the T parts and the AV8 project sold soon I plan to move a building from out at the farm and put it in my back yard for storage. It is not overly big, but with some planning it should be enough. It not, I will look at some other options. Rod
 
dl--- I would re-think selling your Coupe I sense a bit of hesitation on your part.

As has been discussed here in the past, don't worry about a few thousand dollars you might 'lose' you should go into any collector car and if and when you have to sell. That's the price of fun.

Good friends of mine belong to a Country Club. I don't play golf not my thing. But, when I hear them casually talk about all the costs involved with their golf hobby it is staggering, and they don't blink an eye. Rest assured if they had only 'lost' $8,000 or $10,000 over the last ten years or so, with all of their golf related costs accounted for, (which they have, spent that willingly) they wouldn't give it a second thought.

You need to do the same with your Model A approach. At least you can sell the car and get something back. The money these guys have spent on golf not counting the drinking at the C.Club involved---- what do THEY have to 'sell' and get back??;) Nothing.
 
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