Because his company is involved auctioning collectible cars just about every week of the year, Dean Kruse, of Kruse International, the Auburn, Ind., auction house, keeps close tabs on what’s hot and what’s not in the trade.
And each year he compiles his “Dean’s List” of cars most expected to increase in value as a guide for those who make a business of collecting and those who are thinking about entering the hobby.
“I’m seeing a new trend this year,” Kruse said. “People are going for the ’40s and newer models because they want to drive them, not just buy and show them.”
But one tip.
“Stay away from four-door sedans of any era and American cars of the late ’80s, when the focus was on fuel economy and making cars as cheaply as we could while the Japanese were building better cars and got a foothold in this country,” he said.
As usual, Kruse’s rule is that when the top goes down, the value goes up, so convertibles are always high on the list. Prices and values are based on those vehicles that have been restored, not those found behind a barn that need many months and many thousands of dollars of work.
For the first time Kruse has come up with two lists: one of domestics, the other of foreign cars
So with no further ado, on to Kruse’s picks and commentary:
Domestics
– 1901 Curved Dash Oldsmobile: This will be Oldsmobile’s last year-what better car to buy than the first year’s model? This simple car worked well. It ran easily for years. Only 386 were produced, making for a thrilling hunt. You can buy one today for $27,000-$40,000; values should increase 20 percent in 2004.
– 1908 Ford Brass Model T: Early brass cars have come back as younger people appreciate the look. An early heavy brass car just glows with desirability.The pre-1910 Ford brass cars are leading the way. Valued at $17,500-$35,000; expect an increase of 20 percent or more in 2004.
– 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster 4-cylinder: These have stayed at the same price level for several years. These beauties will go up this year. $14,000-$20,000 now–a perfect example can push $40,000 fully equipped; could rise 20 percent in 2004.
– 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster 4-cylinder: These have stayed at the same price level for several years. These beauties will go up this year. $14,000-$20,000 now–a perfect example can push $40,000 fully equipped; could rise 20 percent in 2004.
– 1935 Auburn Model 8-851 8-cylinder Custom Dual Ratio Cabriolet with rumble seat: A great-driving antique car. Aside from the famous Boattail Speedster, this is the car that typifies the Auburn. It is undemanding and beautiful. Can be purchased for $65,000-$85,000. Supercharged versions will add another $25,000; should increase 20 percent this year.
– 1955-56 Ford Crown Victoria Sunliner V-8 convertible: A very desirable car. This is one of Ford’s most attractive designs and always a good investment. Look for examples with high-performance engines. Can be bought for $17,000-$30,000 today–a perfect one has brought more than $60,000; expect a rise of 15 percent this year.
– 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible V-8: Closing the gap from a 1957, this is a one-year body style. The older it gets, the better it looks. A timeless design with many engine options including fuel injection. Valued now at $45,000 to $55,000–some have sold for $58,000; should go up 15 percent in 2004.
– 1959 Plymouth Sport Fury convertible V-8: Very desirable. V-8 and lots of performance. The option to look for is the Golden Commando 395, named for the 395 foot-pounds of torque it developed. The best buy is a red one. Often sells for $22,000-$35,000; could go up 20 percent this year.
– 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible V-8 390 with three two-barrel carburetors: One of the largest convertibles ever built. 1,285 were made with the upper-level trim. A smooth ride with sleek lines that’s gaining popularity. Now $40,000-$60,000–$100,000 for the right car; can go up 20 percent this year.
– 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Big Block convertible: The sky is the limit on this 427-cubic-inch American sports car. Styling, performance and power make a sure winner. ’60s Corvettes will be catching up with the muscle-car rise. They have sold for $60,000-$600,000; values should rise 15 percent this year.
– 1969-70 Plymouth Superbird/Dodge Daytona 440 Six-Pack: Cars that were so fast they were outlawed by NASCAR. Today, they’re some of the most collectible muscle cars in the world. Valued at $80,000 to $100,000; they should rise a good 15 percent in 2004.
Imports
– 1907 Peugeot Chain Driven Six: Peugeot has the prestige of being the first automaker to sell a car to a private individual, in 1889. The family-owned company saw great success through the turn of the century with 2- and 4-cylinder powered vehicles. The ultimate find might be the very rare 40-horspower, 6-cylinder version with chain drive. This all-brass car could approach $500,000-$600,000; could go up 20 percent this year.
– 1928 Bentley Speed Six: To ensure Bentley’s racing future, a high-performance version of the 6-cylinder car was introduced in 1928. It was dubbed the Bentley 6 1/2-liter Speed Model or Speed Six. The amazing Bentley Speed Six won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. Prices range from $500,000 to $800,000–a well-equipped Speed Six can easily break the seven-figure mark at auction; should rise 10 to 15 percent this year.
– 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Roadster: The Piccadilly roadster is noted for very clean styling and lines. Its proportions give the illusion of a very long wheelbase. Springfield-built cars are elegant and embrace the graceful beauty found in a roadster. The Piccadilly roadster was for the true playboy. Will bring $90,000 to $150,000 depending on condition; should push up 15 percent this year.
– 1934 Mercedes-Benz 380K Sports Roadster 8-cylinder: Very few 380s were produced. The 380K’s inline 8-cylinder engine was derived from the 6-cylinder unit of the 290. Equipped with an even more powerful supercharged engine, the 380K set a new pace for the later 500K and 540K models. Most of the existing examples reside in the finest collections, but can be found on the market. Values range from $150,000 to $180,000; should increase 15 percent this year.
– 1937 BMW 328 Roadster: With the cutaway doors and rakish design, the 328 Roadster had marvelous looks. A tubular frame supported the lightweight body, allowing for speeds approaching 100 m.p.h. Price averages $200,000; should rise in value by 16 percent this year.
– 1954 Delahaye Type 135 convertible with Chapron body: The Chapron-designed cars featured very clean lines with distinctive large oval grilles and less flamboyance than the traditional Delahaye. Very few were produced, and each is a work of art. Left-hand drive versions can increase value. One can be bought for $250,000–prices can go as high as $350,000-$400,000 for prime custom examples; these special automobiles will go up 10 to 15 percent.
– 1954 MG TF Roadster: A very popular car. The MG ushered in a new era of sports cars in the U.S. Even with the Corvette in production, the MG continued to be popular for buyers. Today’s price is $13,000-$17,000–they have brought double that amount; will go up 15 to 20 percent this year.
– 1954 Morgan Plus Four 2+2 Two Seater Roadster: Only 59 Morgans were imported into the U.S. in 1954. The most obvious change in the design to the Plus Four Morgan in ’54 was the sloping front grille, which would remain and become a most recognizable attribute. The cars ran an inline 4-cylinder producing modest horsepower as a wonderful alternative to the MG TC/TD. Prices for this affordable sports car range from $18,000 to $25,000 and are increasing because of limited availability and promise for top-down fun; expect values to rise 18 percent.
– 1959 Porsche 356 Speedster Convertible D: The Convertible D was a unique model, a designation that for one year bridged a gap between the speedster and cabriolet. It offered slightly better rearward visibility over prior designs and roll-up windows and the same timeless beauty. Seekers of unique models will find the Convertible D a special treat. Vintage Porsche cars are a solid investment with the roadsters of the late ’50s fetching mid- to high-$50,000s–perfect cars will see $80,000; up 15 percent this year.
– 1962 Alfa Romeo Spider convertible 4-cylinder: Like many of the smaller sports cars, the Alfa Spider is finding new homes in collector’s hearts. The small Giulietta and Giulia as well as the bigger 2000 are seeing increased interest in the market. They can be bought from $7,000 to $25,000 depending upon the model; should go up 15 percent this year.
– 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Series III 6-cylinder: The final version of the big Healey (MK III) benefited from increased horsepower. The little roadster has been steadily increasing in value and some have brought more than $40,000; should go up another 15 percent in 2004.
– 1966 Maserati Mistral Spyder: The Mistral was produced from 1963-1970, with only 120 Spyders in this time. Two configurations of the overhead cam 6-cylinder were available in 1966 for the Mistral. One produced 225 horsepower and the other 245 h.p. The car offered premium performance in its day and is a cherished ride today. $60,000 to $80,000 now; about a 10 to 15 percent increase this year.
– 1988 Lamborghini Jalpa P350: A great entry-level sub-supercar would be the Jalpa. It offered similar aggressive performance characteristics as the 12-cylinder Countach but retained a much more civilized V-8. Prices range from $25,000 to $35,000; will increase 20 percent this year.
– 1997-present Ferrari 456 GT: While not the typical two-seater, the V-12 GT was a welcomed 2+2 in the Ferrari stable. The $200,000-plus price tag and limited availability ensures a strong future collectible; expect values to rise 15 percent this year.
– 1999 Ferrari F-355 Spyder: The mid-mounted V-8 in the 355 produces 380 h.p. and pushes the roadster from zero-60 m.p.h. in less than 5 seconds. It’s one of the best driving Ferraris of all time. Many Ferraris are too quick and too fast, but this has the best of all worlds. $100,000-$120,000 price; could go up 10 percent in 2004.
Based on cars on this year’s auto-show circuit, Kruse said: “I want a Pontiac Solstice. At about $20,000, Pontiac will sell every one they can build. The Pontiac GTO should have a positive effect on the values of old ones, but they need to get more new ones out on the road first. The Hummer has become a cult vehicle.”
