What’s in your garage? It’s nice to know the collector vehicle you paid a lot for or spent a lot of time restoring is still worth something. Although the collector market is very active, it is somewhat unpredictable, with some collectibles losing value and others rising.
However, it’s also generally a flat market, with year-over-year gains and losses often landing in the five-per-cent range. Online auctions continue to eat into the number of cars crossing auction blocks, and there you’ll see prices fluctuate. But interest in collector vehicles as a tangible asset that can be enjoyed continues to be strong.
But back to values, and specifically hard numbers. We’ve a list here of the top five collector vehicles showing the most appreciation over the past five years in four categories, as determined by John Wiley, head of analytics for Hagerty insurance, which has the largest database of classic-car information and values in the world.
The list of cars that showed strong appreciation is based on the Hagerty Price Guide, using its values for collector vehicles in excellent condition, and showing the change in average value from 2019 to 2024. Please note: the prices are in U.S. funds.
Top 5 classic cars for appreciating value
The top five cars are a mix of 1980s and 1990s cars; Japanese vehicles; and the practical Mercedes-Benz W123 series, in particular the station wagon.
“There’s a little overlap between the sports-car and vintage-car category, but not much,” says Wiley. “Also, these are popular vehicle generations in that at least 1,000 people have come to Hagerty this year to insure their example of that vehicle.” (As in, we’re not counting rarer marques that may have seen bizarre value jumps.)
1. 1979-1993 Ford Mustang
Up 187% to US$50,300
2. 1976-1985 Mercedes-Benz W123 Series
Up 138% to $34,500
3. 1994-1998 Nissan Skyline R33
Up 119% to $181,900
4. 1993-1998 Toyota Supra
Up 104% to $109,700
5. 1975-1978 Datsun 280Z
Up 92% to $37,400
Top 5 trucks for appreciating value
Yes, this list of the top five trucks is curated, just so it isn’t all just Ford F-series trucks.
1. 1997-2003 Ford F-Series
Up 149% to $38,800
2. 1972-1980 Dodge D/W Series Pickups
Up 123% to $27,600
3. 1967-1972 Ford F-Series
Up 101% to $43,500
4. 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee
Up 101% to $17,700
5. 1988-2000 Chevrolet GMT400 Series Trucks
Up 98% to $28,700
Top 5 sports cars for appreciating value
These sports cars span a wide range of years, but the list in general shows vehicles in this category are still appreciating — if not as fast as many of the trucks.
1. 2000-2009 Honda S2000
Up 83% to $50,100
2. 1999-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata NB
Up 81% to $18,300
3. 1978-1983 Porsche 911
Up 58% to $84,100
4. 1996-2002 BMW Z3/M Roadster
Up 48% to $32,900
5. 1969-1976 Triumph TR6
Up 44% to $33,300
Top 5 vintage cars for appreciating value
It’s a similar story for the more traditional vintage cars as it is with the sports cars, says Wiley, with somewhat slower appreciation. “Overall, we’re seeing faster appreciation among vehicles that were mostly overlooked by collectors five to 10 years ago,” he says.
1. 1956-1975 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
Up 83% to $51,700
2. 1965-1970 Cadillac DeVille
Up 75% to $37,200
3. 1970-1979 Lincoln Continental
Up 69% to $22,700
4. 1962-1980 Triumph Spitfire
Up 47% to $17,100
5. 1970-1974 MG/MGB
Up 39% to $21,400
Regarding future investment values, Wiley says Hagerty does not make predictions on how much vehicles will appreciate in the coming years. But generally, vehicles that are accessible and something you like are good purchases.
From the author’s standpoint, the cars I get asked about the most are late ’60s and early ’70s muscle cars. These cars are reliable, fun, driveable at highway speeds, and parts for them are readily available.
Sought-after collectibles include restomods (which pair original looks with modern mechanical components) of all types, including pickup trucks, along with Ford Mustangs, Mercury Cougars, Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros, Pontiac Firebirds and GTOs, Plymouth ‘Cudas and Road Runners, Dodge Chargers and Challengers, two-seat Ford Thunderbirds, a wide variety of convertibles, 1930s “gangster” cars with side-mounted wheels, and, surprisingly, Ford Model A roadsters.
My advice is to not buy a collector car solely for its investment potential. Buy your dream collector car or truck, and one that is already restored. Restoration costs have skyrocketed along with the quality of restorations. And it’s very difficult to predict the end cost of bringing a project car back to life.
Check free online valuation tools such as the Hagerty Value Guide. Also look online for cars for sale and auction prices to determine the selling price of collector vehicles.
Factor in currency exchange rates for buying collector cars in the U.S., along with transportation costs and taxes. Adding 50% to a sale price in U.S. dollars is a quick way to determine the cost of a U.S.-bought collector vehicle landed in Canada.
Also, there are an increasing number of scams involving the sale of collector vehicles. Personally look at the collector vehicle before you buy, or have an appraiser determine condition, value, and that the vehicle and seller actually exist. Purchase from reputable auctions either in person, by telephone, or online; or purchase from a trusted online auction site such as Bring A Trailer or Hemmings.
Above all, make buying and maintaining a collector vehicle an enjoyable experience, choosing one that you will enjoy well into the future, and that could become a family heirloom.
Alyn Edwards is a classic car enthusiast and partner in a Vancouver-based public relations company. [email protected]
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