240Z Auction - Barrett Jackson

[Montezuma]

I won the guessing game...my guess was $15 twice the real value. I have a nice 73 that I must finish now.

[lonetreesteve]

The $16,500 includes the 10% buyers premium paid to BJ, so it actually sold for $15K.

-Mike

I won the guessing game...my guess was $15 twice the real value. I have a nice 73 that I must finish now.

Yeah, $15k was my guess as well; however, I still firmly believe that if was an earlier year 240Z it would have brought more money.

Edited October 10, 2009 by lonetreesteve

[Mike B]

If we (the US) had gotten the twin cam 2 liter engine in a few Zs, or a few equipped with the 5 speed then you might see those special cars command a premium and increase the interest of the base models. But alas we didn't. So don't compare the Z prices with some rare optioned car, compare the price that a more common base model commands.

I agree that since the 240Z had no factory installed performance options in the US they will never get the money of highly optioned big block muscle cars. They are much closer in value to base level US cars. I did notice that a restored base camero that was VIN #16 sold for $100k though. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=303&ln=390.1&pop=0&it=1

Yeah, $15k was my guess as well; however, I still firmly believe that if was an earlier year 240Z it would have brought more money.

My range was $12-15K based on the economy, it being a 73, and not having super low mileage. I don't think people that buy Zs at BJ are knowledgeable enough to differentiate between a 73 240Z vs earlier model years, so I don't think an earlier car would have brought any more money.

-Mike

[doradox]

I agree that since the 240Z had no factory installed performance options in the US they will never get the money of highly optioned big block muscle cars. They are much closer in value to base level US cars. I did notice that a restored base camero that was VIN #16 sold for $100k though. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=303&ln=390.1&pop=0&it=1

-Mike

Even that one had the optional 275 HP 327 (base 327 was 210 HP) and is the earliest known VIN with a couple interior options. Base 6 cylinder models had the 230 CID 6. A 250 CID 6 was an option believe it or not.

Steve

[BenJammin]

... So today those folks have made some money and want to relive their younger days or fulfill a dream they weren't able to when the muscle car ruled the street. Consequently we see ridiculous prices being paid for rare examples American Iron.

I see your point. I guess if I had lots of extra $$ just sitting around, I might pay significant cash for something like a perfectly restored 1970 Trans Am, or even an early fastback Mustang... because in high school I was DENIED!

Yeah, it's true.

My car then was a '72 Ford LTD 2dr, kind of an old man's car with the stock hubcaps and all, but all I could afford at $800 that was running. A car that could be cool now,but could've been cool too back then in '81, but I was such a geek, I never saw the potential in it (or maybe because I was a broke geek?). Then there was the limited mentality in my group that it wasn't worthwile unless you started with a 'traditional' muscle car (Camaro, Mustang, GTO, Cuda,etc,etc), anyway...

My formative years --> destroyed !

But back to topic. Trouble is, as I've seen for awhile now, nicely restored and original examples on the hotlist of American muscle have always seemed to be appreciating out of my reach, even as my income rose thru the years (could haved afforded maybe, but never justify ), whereas the 240Z I'm building is an attainable/affordable, yet badass, goal.

Edited October 10, 2009 by BenJammin

[Zs-ondabrain]

But what we all need to keep in mind is that our cars started at around $3000 give or take a few hundred. They are (even the stock, plain Jane 73') now worth, give or take a few thousand, 400% more than when they were first sold, almost 40 years ago.

Now think about this......

If HLS30-00013 was in great original shape, with a beautiful paint job, original hubcaps, etc, etc, What do you think it would go for at the Barrett Jackson Auction? If it was presented as "The first US based 240Z available for purchase by the public"

Just a thought. No Flaming, Bitching, arguments or anything else. It's JUST A QUESTION...

Dave.

[doradox]

But what we all need to keep in mind is that our cars started at around $3000 give or take a few hundred. They are (even the stock, plain Jane 73') now worth, give or take a few thousand, 400% more than when they were first sold, almost 40 years ago.

Now think about this......

If HLS30-00013 was in great original shape, with a beautiful paint job, original hubcaps, etc, etc, What do you think it would go for at the Barrett Jackson Auction? If it was presented as "The first US based 240Z available for purchase by the public"

Just a thought. No Flaming, Bitching, arguments or anything else. It's JUST A QUESTION...

Dave.

Adjusted for inflation $3500 USD in 1970 is about $20,000 today. Being worth 4 times as much ($14,000) as new isn't much to brag about.

$3500 invested for 39 years with conservative 5% rate of return would be $70,000.

Consider that it costs money to maintain a car for 39 years you'd probably need to get north of $100,000 to make the car pay better than the $3500 invested at 5%.

Of course you can't drive the money and a dollar bill don't look nearly as good as a Z. The dollar bill is just so..rectangular.

As for #13 , who knows. Certainly not me.

Steve

[WingZr0]

But what we all need to keep in mind is that our cars started at around $3000 give or take a few hundred. They are (even the stock, plain Jane 73') now worth, give or take a few thousand, 400% more than when they were first sold, almost 40 years ago.

Now think about this......

If HLS30-00013 was in great original shape, with a beautiful paint job, original hubcaps, etc, etc, What do you think it would go for at the Barrett Jackson Auction? If it was presented as "The first US based 240Z available for purchase by the public"

Just a thought. No Flaming, Bitching, arguments or anything else. It's JUST A QUESTION...

Dave.

Will I agree, BJ ain't the place for one so #13 ain't gonna get what it's woth from there.

Point number two. The only folks who even know about it in the first place is

hard core club enthusiast like us here and on HybridZ.

Point 3. The real money in my oppinion is in engine mods and Concours cars and well cared for rust free bodies, lets face it, mechanicly these are cheap

to get back on the road.

Now Mod'ed up, Turn Keys (read rust free bodies for sure), and well

cared for originals will bring premiums in a otherwise flooded "club member market" for the S30 Z.

Those who nothing about these cars or even bothered do minor

researce before buying what they see on Craigslist or Ebay will allways be

tire kickers.

For example trying to my rust free '78 was liek pulling my on teeth will my

hatch tools till I sold it for $900 even, I had guys email afterwards saying

they would've paid at least $3,000 for it and I was only asking

$2,500 in the begging.

Heck a whole new engine for it was only costing 2,000 for me had I kept it !

Now I know I'm late to the show here but I guessed the Z at BJ would

hit 15 to 20K as well and glad to see it got $16,500.

After all it wasn't a rotisery restoration for crying out loud and it was simply

a pretty looking used car with 74,000 miles on an unrebuilt engine I guess.

Now as for #13's value it should bring at least as much, if you figure it is

worth itn or not, dough as a Works Rally Car IMO.

I know it's not the very first Z made of all the markets but the

first US one "VIN wise" is pretty cool in my book.

~Z~

[Zs-ondabrain]

OK, ya'll missed the point. How many cars, Japanese especially, bought for $3000 in 1970, can be sold for $16,000 in todays market??

I guess one of my main points would be that the 240Z is one of a handfull of vehicles in the World that has never really Depreciated over almost 40 years. Especially now that people are trading in their gas gusslers for more fuel economical vehicles, even if they turn out to be 40 years old. I know for a fact that my 39 year old, 180,000+ miles, never rebuilt 240Z gets an average of 27 MPG on the freeway.

It's pretty damn bad or even funny when you see a Brand New Mercedes Commercial, with them bragging that their "all new 2 door sport coupe" gets an "Impressive 26 MPG on the Freeway"

Are you fricken Kidding me?? 26MPG from a 2010 Coupe From Mercedes. How the hell is that Impressive?

I'm not trying to start an argument, get people flared up or anything of the sort. Just pointing out some interesting points. That's all.

Dave

[Travel'n Man]

OK..........I'm not tooting my own horn but I can afford to buy a muscle car or any brand of a car that I want. My daily driver is a BMW X-5 that I ordered new. When I deceided to renew - restore - refresh (what ever you want to call it) a Datsun it was my choice. I had a Z back in the '70s and that is the reason I started this project back in '07. And today I do not regret it at all. I can get in my BMW and know the money I make and the car that I drive. I can get in my Z and know exactly where I came from and the exact same feeling I had back in the '70's is with me today. I'm sure for all of us the exact same reason is the same.................it's a flashback in the day that we had and the day that we are having. I'm almost 50 and I hope in the next 10 years it's the exact same feeling.

It's nothing about reliving yesterday, it's all about living today to the fullest.

An American Muscle car...........just not my bag, the lines on a Dodge, Ford, Chevy, just not there for me. The sexy lines on a Z car and a 38-28-38 figure.........one in the same for me...................IMO. We all just need to stop selling these cars so cheap. We control the market.........if we want to!!

Edited October 12, 2009 by Travel'n Man

[doradox]

OK, ya'll missed the point. How many cars, Japanese especially, bought for $3000 in 1970, can be sold for $16,000 in todays market??

I guess one of my main points would be that the 240Z is one of a handfull of vehicles in the World that has never really Depreciated over almost 40 years. Especially now that people are trading in their gas gusslers for more fuel economical vehicles, even if they turn out to be 40 years old. I know for a fact that my 39 year old, 180,000+ miles, never rebuilt 240Z gets an average of 27 MPG on the freeway.

It's pretty damn bad or even funny when you see a Brand New Mercedes Commercial, with them bragging that their "all new 2 door sport coupe" gets an "Impressive 26 MPG on the Freeway"

Are you fricken Kidding me?? 26MPG from a 2010 Coupe From Mercedes. How the hell is that Impressive?

I'm not trying to start an argument, get people flared up or anything of the sort. Just pointing out some interesting points. That's all.

Dave

I'd agree with the Japanese car part but I'd probably need "handful" defined before totally buying in. Anyway, I get you drift.

I once saw 33 MPG in my first '73 on a trip from Tucson to Vegas. It was in the 55 mph days though.

Steve

[BenJammin]

OK..........I'm not tooting my own horn but I can afford to buy a muscle car or any brand of a car that I want.

Yeah, me too if I hadn't had some significant financial setbacks. I make pretty decent money, but I'm behind the curve because 'ca-ca occurs'. So my wife would pretty much plot my death if I went and plunked down $20-$40K on my 'unfulfilled dreams'.

Edited October 13, 2009 by BenJammin