“Like new,” “Pristine,” “In the Wrapper,” and “Delivery Miles” are all terms classic car sellers love to tout. And why not? If you’re buying a classic car, don’t you want one as close to mint as you can afford?
Maybe not.
We’re not suggesting a sea change, with every classic car buyer running away from perfect cars and running toward worn out, beat up heaps. But there are multiple indications that enthusiasts and collectors alike are increasingly seeking out less-than-perfect examples of certain cars.
Our Hagerty Price Guide data shows prices for certain vehicles in conditions #3 and #4 (“good” and “fair”) rising faster—in some cases much faster—than values for number #1 and #2 (“concours” and “excellent”) cars. And we’re not talking esoteric, hand-picked examples here. Think, pre-1990 911s, 2005–2006 Ford GTs, and many SUVs. In some cases, the trend is stark: A range of 911s, including all the 1974–1989 911s (except Turbo 930s), saw double to triple the appreciation rate for number #4 cars versus number #1 cars between 2016 and 2021.
What’s causing this? In some cases, buyers may simply be adjusting their expectations in response to value increases for the model. People who could have afforded pristine air-cooled 911s a decade ago might now be forced to consider models in rougher shape, increasing demand and prices for those. This isn’t unlike what often happens with urban gentrification: Renters priced out of posh city blocks look to more affordable areas…thus driving development and price increases in their new neighborhoods.
Yet there’s more going on here than economics. As we’ve noted many times, younger collectors are entering the collector car market at a brisk pace, and they often want to use their cars differently than older collectors.
“I’m 45, and when I show my car at a concours event I’m consistently the youngest participant,” said Nathan Merz, owner and founder of Columbia Valley Luxury Cars in Redmond, Washington, which specializes in classic 911s. He also owns several air-cooled models, including both “driver” and concours show winners. He sees few peers looking for the latter. “I enjoy showing my low-mileage reference models, but my friends have zero interest in getting up early, trailering a car to a resort, and then spending an entire day, or two, standing around at a concours. They’d rather drive their classic 911s to a local cars and coffee at 8, hang with friends for a few hours, then be home by 11 to spend the rest of the weekend with their family. They can’t do that with pristine 911s, so they buy driver cars, with plenty of mileage and obvious patina.”
For some of these collectors, having a vehicle that looks like it has been driven may be as important as the actual driving. “It’s an unspoken badge of honor projecting to the world that this vehicle has been enjoyed the way the engineers originally intended,” notes Michael Harley, Executive Editor at CarExpert.com and author of One More Than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911. “It reminds me of the trends we are seeing with fashionable blue jeans—consumers are seeking pants that are worn and ripped during manufacturing, so they can project an active lifestyle.”
They’d rather drive their classic 911s to a local cars and coffee at 8, hang with friends for a few hours, then be home by 11 to spend the rest of the weekend with their family. They can’t do that with pristine 911s, so they buy driver cars.
Nathan Merz, owner, Columbia Valley Luxury Cars
Let’s be clear that we’re not recommending you go out and buy a basket case. “My general goal when buying used cars is to find one that’s been beautifully maintained by a fastidious owner, but with higher miles,” notes Doug DeMuro, he of YouTube fame and, more recently, the founder of online auction sit Cars and Bids. “That way, you get the best of both worlds: good maintenance (and thus reliability), but also higher miles to keep the transaction price down.”
It’s also worth noting that not all classics are following the trend we’re describing. Condition #1 and #2 classic Ferraris, for instance, are appreciating faster than #3 or #4, with the F50 being the only contrarian. That might make sense for vehicles with Ferrari maintenance costs, but the same goes for pre-2000 Acura NSXs, Chevrolet Corvettes, Dodge Vipers, and Toyota Supras. These models seem suited to driving rather than trailering, but values don’t reflect it— mint condition cars are still appreciating faster.
There is one segment of the market clearly suggesting a trend toward drivers versus show vehicles: classic trucks and SUVs. Looking at Hagerty Price Guide data for 1948–1986 Ford F-150s, 1947–1991 Chevrolet C/K trucks and Blazers, and 1966–1996 Ford Broncos, almost every model from every generation has seen substantially greater appreciation in condition #3 and #4 vehicles over condition #1 and #2 vehicles. The same is true of Toyota Land Cruiser FJ55s, although the FJ40s and FJ60/FJ62s don’t follow this trend (better condition versions of those models have appreciated faster).
Just as with classic (and robust) 911s, classic trucks and SUVs are both highly durable and highly capable. Restoring them to concours condition, then parking them for fear of nicking the flawless paint, feels like a waste of resources—not to mention life-embracing fun. People want to experience the wide range of use cases these vehicles offer, and the valuation trends confirm it. And just like 911s, many classic trucks and SUVs have become profoundly more expensive over the past decade, perhaps forcing many would-be buyers of mint-condition examples to “lower” their standards.
Last but not least, the growing appetite and surging prices for over-the-top restomods may also be increasing demand for more worn vehicles. Consider, for instance, the cottage industry of custom Bronco builders who recently descended upon Scottsdale for Barrett-Jackson’s auction. Logic, preservationist principles, and profit dictate that most of these customizations start with less-than-perfect examples—no point in gutting and cutting a pristine original.
Whatever the underlying causes, valuation data prove there are pockets of the market rewarding less-than-perfect cars. Will the trend expand? Could we hit a point where driver cars have more demand, and higher prices, than perfect cars? That’s hard to imagine. These examples do, however, throw more cold water on the already dubious proposition of restoring for profit—in many cases that daily driver will appreciate just fine without requiring a costly, time-consuming makeover.
If nothing else, it’s comforting that a car enjoyed as intended can also make a great investment. If you enjoy driving more than detailing and showing, you’re hardly alone.
I purposely bought a unmolested 1959 J code Thunderbird Convertible in good condition. I’ll be able to perform “deferred maintenance” and take it to local gatherings and road trips. Very different from taking a perfect classic somewhere and not being able to let it out of your sight.
I have both preservation and restored motorcycles. People ask me why am I riding such a nicely restored bike? I point out that if anything happens, it can be restored again. Original paint , not so much. However ALL vehicles respond well to being used. When I see zero miles since restoration , I think to myself “Do I want to be the last link in quality assurance?”. Something with a mild patina is great to use. Kind of like your tweed jacket with sleeve patches.
Maybe it is because people like to DRIVE their cars, hmmm…that is a novel idea. Sure some cars are sort of artistic static “sculptures”. I prefer mine as rolling down the highway usually under their own power with me in it. This may sound foreign to those with pristine “collector” cars that are in a trailer or bubble their entire life. But because this is America to each his/her own. Enjoy them anyway you can.
I try to drive everything that I have, from Model A’s through a Mercury Marauder, with Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Fords, and Lincolns in between. If we find that we’ve made a car “too nice to drive”, I usually think of selling it. We consider under 10k miles in a year on the collection to be a slow year.
Partly because there is a certain elitism in driving a car that looks as though you are the original owner who has driven the car in many an adventure, and that you are not just another nouveau riche hedge fund dick who buys cars the way the Dutch bought tulips in the 17th C.
I prefer a classic to be the best and most perfect it was made to be….just like a good woman….LOOK YOUR BEST !!!
I bought a 68 Chrysler New Yorker Coupe for not a lot of money because it had a 440, Torque-Fight 727 and posi rear and its cosmetics would permit it on most local and regional show fields. Much of my collection is such that I am uncomfortable leaving them on a show field and walking around. The New Yorker allows me to park on the show field where I waive judging and avoid anxiety. Besides, if I need to stop at the store on the way home it is no problem to park it anywhere there is a berth of sufficient size. It’s my “beater” collectable. Allows me to drive an old car regardless…
Danny Plotkin
Believe it or not, old cars, like us, are not static. A 400 point restoration ages, too. If you want it’s condition to mellow, just wait a couple of years. That perfection fades a bit with time. The point is to enjoy them as much as you can and in the way you like.
Mentioned in the comments, but not really touched on in the article to any real degree is the lure of original paint. If it has the paint it left the factory with (along with as many parts as possible)— that is far more desirable (to me) than something that has been restored.
Just bought a 1970 base Corvette conv with big block hood, all restored mechanicals for 10k. Comes with new rubber on Creager wheels. Never wrecked, I’ll be the 3rd owner. Looks good at 15′ or driving by Needs a new top, carpets, seat foam and covers, some weather stripping, something I can do, and new paint, going to Los Algodones, Mexico for a daily driver paint job for around 2k. Comes with nice hard top, stock wheels, extra stock hood, other parts . lot’s of good cruzin left in this one.
Mine-McBurnie California Daytona, 76 C3 chassis.
Try to drive at LEAST 2500 yearly.
Three years ago I sold my 1958 unrestored Studebaker Scotsman wagon, needing engine work, used by me since 1980 as a second car. The new owner entered it in 2019 in a New England show and it took second place in the unrestored category. Unrestored may be the way to go from now on.
Cars are meant to be driven. When they sit they rot. Why not use them? I have 6 mustangs or variants in all conditions my favorite is an 86 asc McLaren heck I even scca race that car. Enjoy them like they were designed to be half the fun is working on them .
Preserving the life use of a vehicle , the character , what it was and still is ,is a lot in the experience and satisfaction of ownership and memories . To have a perfect 10 vehicle you do not want to drive seems somewhat out of place is the classic car world . Patina is part of a natural wave of real life use seen by the beholder. Perfect vehicles for sure has it’s place but so does Patina vehicles.
Great article and proof that there are cars and room for all kinds of collectors for different reasons. So many people complain if they see others that do not fit their mole and ideas. To Each Their Own. You see all sorts of people young and old that admire cars. To many young complain about the rich and old are driving up the price of cars they want to own. Unless you are handicapped or not capable of working, get another job and work hard and don’t spend all of your time playing, working on your car or wishing. Work harder earn more then you will be able to be more involved.
I’m the second owner of a 1959 Corvette, fuelie. The car is unrestored and other than some work to make it safe, it runs great and looks very acceptable from 10’ away. I’ve won awards couple of times for the “preservation” class when it was judged by peers and not by someone with a clipboard. Somehow, that seems more meaningful to me. I’ve contemplated a NCRS type of restoration, but I think I’ll be just fine taking it to shows and driving it. I’m glad saving tens of thousands on a restoration will make me a trendsetter. Thanks Hagerty!
Having FINALLY won my class at Porsche Parade concour with our 73 914, it’s time to sell it. I went down the rabbit hole on this car when I restored it in 2012 with this goal. We had already done well and had a blast autocrossing the car, but that illusive concour trophy ate away at me. The car became something that sat inside under a cover while the others went out to play. But no more.
My “imperfect” but 98% original 71 Chevy C20 is my daily driver in the summer. It hauls lumber and generates smiles everywhere I go. The 997.2 PDK is the road trip car, no better tool for the job. The Boxster S 6 speed is the favorite car of my wife and daughters, so its not going any where. And with 205k miles, it doesn’t owe me anything. And I’ve finally scratched the last nagging itch – 1966 Chevelle SS is on its way home to us. It is “imperfect” despite being a true 138 car, as it has undergone a color and interior change. It has a crate 502ZZ and a TKO-600 5 speed, full Hotchkis suspension and disc brake conversion. It is a much safer and more potent driver now. No driving to the airport for avgas. Can cruise on the highway. Adequate brakes and proper suspension. But it looks close to stock from the outside. It shows well but isn’t afraid to get wet. So perfect for me.
Drive ’em!!!
Great article! I am the original owner of a 1964 Jaguar E type, picked up at the factory in September of 1963. Drove it (my only car) daily in Europe for two years. Didn’t have a garage, so it sat overnight in German winters, but we sure did have some fine roads (no speed limits on the autobahn) to drive on. Back in the States and again my daily driver to school (I’m a retire high school teacher). Now with 186,000 miles on it, a rebuilt engine, many new parts, and a factory “golden sand” paint job, it still looks beautiful and drives great. Its not a concours car, but still turns heads and receives many compliments. Enjoy your antique and classic cars – AND DRIVE THEM!