Changing of the Guard

[Marine240z]

Hi All,  just wanted to solicit a few opinions on what I perceive as a recent trend that has been developing due to the rise of market value of the 1st series Z.   I have been noticing that there has been a wider acceptance of the 240Z by both the media and high end collector/investor as a bonafide collector vehicle.

I believe that we will see serious sophisticated buyers in larger numbers insert themselves into the Z community, thus driving both recognition and price of the 240Z to a much higher plane.  Many of us who watch and participate in the collector market have seen this happen very quickly with other vehicles.  Early Datsun sedans/trucks, Porsche 911's 912's, and recently 914's,928's, 944's, Alfa Romeo's, early Volvo, Saab, Jag etc. have all seen prices jump as collectors move to create new markets.

History of a vehicle plays a huge role and the 240Z set the standard and turned the sports car community on it's ear. We will see more and more new entrants into the forums which will ultimately improve the overall brand recognition and value of the our cars.  It's going to be a fun ride for us all.     

[Zed Head]

Sounds interesting.  Sophisticated buyers inserting themselves.  How do they do that?  Seriously, are you saying that people will be joining the forum and talking or bidding up the value of the "Series 1" cars.  Only.  By the way, some experts here will argue that there's no such thing as a "Series 1" (your 1st Series, I assume).

It seems like you're suggesting that the market is about to be manipulated by people who collect for investment purposes.  " collectors move to create new markets".

[Marine240z]

Yeah pretty much, by sophisticated buyer, I mean the type collector that purchases based on ROI not necessarily because of some innate desire from his teenage or college days. He is a speculator looking to buy and sell or buy, recondition then sell for a profit.

As far a series one, most owner/collector's view the 69-72 the pure Z based primarily on non-emission add on's like we see on the 73 Z, plus the troublesome flat top su's. 

Also, many publications use editorials, or features to bump up the value of particular cars.  Most of this is by design, not by chance.  The early 69-72 and even the 73 are now in the early stages of this move.  Collectors make the market by promoting the value of their investments.  To them the collector car is a commodity not a item to buy for personal satisfaction.   

Edited December 4, 2016 by Marine240z
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[Zed Head]

16 minutes ago, Marine240z said:

Also, many publications use editorials, or features to bump up the value of particular cars.  Most of this is by design, not by chance.  The early 69-72 and even the 73 are now in the early stages of this move.  

Do you have links or references to these articles?  It would be interesting to see how they're being represented.  Maybe that guy parting out his 240Z should be keeping the shell for the VIN.

[Marine240z]

12 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

Do you have links or references to these articles?  It would be interesting to see how they're being represented.  Maybe that guy parting out his 240Z should be keeping the shell for the VIN.

Sure, I will be happy to include some, but it is self evident to anyone who follows classic car news, especially when Hagerty or Classic Car or one of the magazine blogs publish an article on some obscure vehicle like the AMC Javelin or Chevy Vega citing it's potential collectability .  Immediately you will see a surge in the internet search engines for these particular cars which in turns enhances their value in the marketplace.

The 240Z has seen a recent up tic mainly to the attention paid to it in regional and nationally recognized car shows and auctions and several positive mentions in publications.  Again, this is by design.  The early Z is starting to become a recognized collectable in many venues.

A lot of savvy collectors will start quietly purchasing them and then start the buzz...  

13 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

Do you have links or references to these articles?  It would be interesting to see how they're being represented.  Maybe that guy parting out his 240Z should be keeping the shell for the VIN.

Yeah pretty much, by sophisticated buyer, I mean the type collector that purchases based on ROI not necessarily because of some innate desire from his teenage or college days. He is a speculator looking to buy and sell or buy, recondition then sell for a profit.

As far a series one, most owner/collector's view the 69-72 the pure Z based primarily on non-emission add on's like we see on the 73 Z.  

Also, many publications use editorials, or features to bump up the value of particular cars.  Most of this is by design, not by chance.  The early 69-72 and even the 73 are now in the early stages of this move.  Collectors make the market by promoting the value of their investments.  To them the collector car is a commodity not a item to buy for personal satisfaction.   

[Zed Head]

I found some old 2014, and undated, articles using Google.  Can't find anything recent.

https://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/cars-we-love-datsun-240z-fairlady

https://www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk/price-guide/1969-Datsun-240Z

http://petrolicious.com/why-the-datsun-240z-is-collectable

The Hagerty valuation tool is most interesting though.  Can't find those articles you're referring to though.

https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1970-Datsun-240Z

[Marine240z]

Zed, heading home from work, I will post some articles related to this topic this evening.

[Patcon]

There was an article in the May 2015 Hemmings Motor News about 280Z's right in line with the suggestion that these cars are beginning to be viewed as investments not just classic cars...

[Zed Head]

This one? - https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2015/05/1975--78-Datsun-280Z/3748571.html

I was really more interested in the idea that there are market manipulators out there planning an attack on the early 240Z market, feeding it PEA's (performance enhancing articles) and waiting.  I wanted to be ready to watch the battle.

[Marine240z]

read:http://petrolicious.com/why-the-datsun-240z-is-collectable

 

Zed check this out.

[Zed Head]

I linked that article in Post #6, it's from 2014.

The Hagerty charts show that values did increase dramatically in 2015.  But Hagerty itself might have a vested interest in increasing the values, since they price their insurance on value.  I'm not implying that they are trying to do that, it's just an inherent conflict of interest..  If they showed their data for each data point on their charts that would be fantastic.

https://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/About-our-prices  

[Patcon]

Yes ZH that is the article in the copy of Hemmings I have. I think speculators and car flippers are always looking for the next collectible car. I wouldn't be surprised if that is part of the recent rise in Z prices, especially after Mr. K's passing. Ferrari prices went nuts after Enzo died.

As anecdotal evidence the Z's I see on dealer sites bring amazing money and most of those are going to be put back out for sale