As with most owners, I am always interested to see what the market is bearing in terms of resale values of the R/C 107s.
Maybe its just me, but it seems as if we're starting to an increase in resale values ~ at least for those considered to be in good to great condition irregardless of mileage.
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Perhaps it's inflation adjustment/correction and add that to the fact that 5yrs ago, US$ was at least 20% stronger...
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To me, my car has achieved the peak in its value, its priceless. Hence my lack of excitement when those "less valued" samples are picking up a monetary value...
Perhaps it's inflation adjustment/correction and add that to the fact that 5yrs ago, US$ was at least 20% stronger...
***
To me, my car has achieved the peak in its value, its priceless. Hence my lack of excitement when those "less valued" samples are picking up a monetary value...
My view also (priceless), but I still find myself watching/reading, particularly at the invitation of others forum participants here who post, offerings they have seen, considered or made.
Well, my view has always been any vehicle is best viewed as a hobby with a likely decent return if one is relatively careful - not necessarilly and in truth rarely profitable. After stating the obvious I have to believe that their will be some appreciation on these cars, and that appreciation has been held back at least in part by the long model run. In some ways, the 107 for those interested in appreciation is a victim of it's own success. They were built in too many numbers for a real substantial appreciation, especially with a pretty good survival rate and some very good originals out there.
That said, positives to look for in coming years include:
A new SL model was just introduced, making the 107 even more "vintage" to MB fans looking for a car that is suitable for modern traffic as well as not being out of place at collector type events. I believe, in general terms a very clean 107 is more valuable than a simillar R-129. Others more knowledgeable may confirm that.
The newest 107 will be an accepted AACA antique next year, which has proven to boost values and interest. Many states issue antique or vintage plates at 25 years, we are lucky in CT - they do it at 20. The oldest is now 40 years old, so their is no doubt the design is vintage, and has stood the test of time. I think more people tend to associate these cars with the 70s, especially those of us who were around to remember them when new. This is a pretty iconic series.
I mentioned this about a month or so ago, but I recently saw an ad in HMN specifically seeking 107s by a dealer for resale. And Bev. Hills (site sponsor, here I believe) recently added the 450 SL to it's buy list - so they must see a market as well.
Strictly personal opinion but there are a lot less alternative choices worth collecting from this period, especially from say '78 on. And even cars that would interest me from the 107 era don't often offer as much for the same money - i.e. having owned a TR-6 for example, while it is apples and oranges, you are getting a car that was much more exclusive when new with the 107, and a much better GT type car if that is what you are looking for.
Last, these are a great first time collector car for the person who wants a vintage look and modern roadability. I believe they are in the Hagarty top ten list of customer cars - along with the Mustang and MGB, I think.
Bottom line, these will track like other not so rare but iconic cars. The negative, you are not going to make a killing even if values double in say 5 years, but their will be a relatively wide market. Their are a lot of people, even in this economy with $10K to say $30K to spend on a good car, which is why many moderately priced collector cars are still moving. Also, it does not always make sense but as an aside, a good friend of mine who focuses more on mid and higher end prewar cars (wwwtomlaferriere.com if interested.) is going crazy right now - and the higher end does move the market to some degree.
Age old rule applies, their is always a market for good cars. Heavy projects and poor cars are tougher to sell in any economy, but now seems like a great time if looking for something like that is a fit for one's skills and interest.
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Last edited by OldWorldShepherds; 12-05-2012 at 05:10 AM.
Vehicle: 2013 ML 350, 1985 380SL, 2002 Odyssey, 1989 300 SEL
Location: Rock Hill SC
Posts: 132
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldWorldShepherds
Well, my view has always been any vehicle is best viewed as a hobby with a likely decent return if one is relatively careful - not necessarilly and in truth rarely profitable. After stating the obvious I have to believe that their will be some appreciation on these cars, and that appreciation has been held back at least in part by the long model run. In some ways, the 107 for those interested in appreciation is a victim of it's own success. They were built in too many numbers for a real substantial appreciation, especially with a pretty good survival rate and some very good originals out there.
That said, positives to look for in coming years include:
A new SL model was just introduced, making the 107 even more "vintage" to MB fans looking for a car that is suitable for modern traffic as well as not being out of place at collector type events. I believe, in general terms a very clean 107 is more valuable than a simillar R-129. Others more knowledgeable may confirm that.
The newest 107 will be an accepted AACA antique next year, which has proven to boost values and interest. Many states issue antique or vintage plates at 25 years, we are lucky in CT - they do it at 20. The oldest is now 40 years old, so their is no doubt the design is vintage, and has stood the test of time. I think more people tend to associate these cars with the 70s, especially those of us who were around to remember them when new. This is a pretty iconic series.
Strictly personal opinion but there are a lot less alternative choices worth collecting from this period, especially from say '78 on. And even cars that would interest me from the 107 era don't often offer as much for the same money - i.e. having owned a TR-6 for example, while it is apples and oranges, you are getting a car that was much more exclusive when new with the 107, and a much better GT type car if that is what you are looking for.
Last, these are a great first time collector car for the person who wants a vintage look and modern roadability. I believe they are in the Hagarty top ten list of customer cars - along with the Mustang and MGB, I think.
Bottom line, these will track like other not so rare but iconic cars. The negative, you are not going to make a killing even if values double in say 5 years, but their will be a relatively wide market. Their are a lot of people, even in this economy with $10K to say $30K to spend on a good car, which is why many moderately priced collector cars are still moving. Also, it does not always make sense but as an aside, a good friend of mine who focuses more on higher end prewar cars is going crazy right now - and the higher end does move the market to some degree.
Age old rule applies, their is always a market for good cars. Heavy projects and poor cars are tougher to sell in any economy, but now seems like a great time if looking for something like that is a fit for one's skills and interest.
as washington tries to steal money from everyone (who is worth a $hit) there will be a more and more push to hard assets. gold is easy to trace and value and the forthcoming "wealth" tax (which is common in Europe) will start on top of the income tax. to hide from these taxes, folks tend to buy art and cars(classic) whose values are obscure and hence help hide from the tax man...if you believe taxes are going up.... hard assets are the place to be.
OWS ~ I appreciate your summation of the circumstance and presence our 107's hold. A shared appreciation each of us hold in the form of common interest in a great series of automobiles.
I too am also a "believer" and take due pride in my personal ownership of one of the "iconics" from the baby-boomer era further-to-which I do not view commercial value as being a contributor influencing such. I simply fell for the cars long ago and always desired to own one even when I knew nothing about them and was driving American muscle which at that time was what I sought out.
And, as I've stated before in some of my previous postings, I will never sell mine and anytime the subject comes up, i.e. " when asked if its for sale", I always reply the same - basically no its not and it would be a short conversation to discuss such a proposal (as its not about money - its about the pride that comes with owing one which as we all know is priceless)
I don't care, if due to its mass production they never reach a "concours d'elegance" roster as in my view the 107's already did long ago.
Agree, the value in these cars is in driving them. BTW, we are following, I think your formula almost exactly. We bought a pretty clean example from an indy who usually has some interesting older MB kicking around. He did a nice job of preparing the car mechanically although we are in the process of doing a few more things now that it is "off season" here in CT. Trying to really clean it up and detail under the hood, and spent quite a few hours detailing the interior. Keeping the original paint as it is pretty good, and eventually will replace the carpets and upholstery which is better than average but showing wear at this point. We put around 3,000 or so miles on it this year and hope to do more next year. My wife and 23 year old son can fight over this one if I can find an XKE series I or II coupe in simillar shape to scrape my knuckles on... (values on those have been all over the map in the past 25 years, shows you just never know..)
Last edited by OldWorldShepherds; 12-05-2012 at 07:01 AM.
The way I look at it, is that money in itself is worthless. It's what you could use it for that has some value.
I bought my car for $17000 23 years ago. I have poured more money in over the years. If I put it up for sale, I would need to get enough $$ to use for something that would be of more value to me.
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This BW is US site, may be you can not completely understand the situation here at the other market areas. In Scandinavia all local cars from 1970 ..1980 will need very heavy and deep restoration, like the present thread from South America.
US cars can be found excellent or even better condition lower price than full total W107 restoration will cost.
So, because of web and other pricing information sources the buyers are willing pay more for decent US cars than start an ?endless full restoration project, - this is just my personal opinion.
After owning a 69 corvette convertible and 56 Thunderbird (both show cars) I appreciate the fact that I can drive my Benz, get the same looks and stares from other drivers, and not worry that I have $30k going down the road! I think the prices can only go up for clean, rust free 107 sl's but not to the extent of high restoration show cars. With that in mind I intend to rack up the miles and have a blast doing so !!1
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