Classic Car Showroom

Classic Car Showroom

Classic Car News: Vintage Means Value

Paying out for that vintage car of your dreams may leave your pockets feeling light, but in the long run you may find you have more spare cash than you thought. Modern cars depreciate in value every year, however antique or classic cars not only hold their value but also increase in value over time.

"Lots of people like new cars," says Tim Schofield, motoring expert at auctioneers and valuers, Bonhams, "but as soon as you drive these out of the showroom, they depreciate like a stone". The Telegraph online reports that ploughing money into a piece of "automotive art", also known as a classic car, could be the ideal investment.

Finding that perfect vintage vehicle can take time, with each model looking, feeling, smelling and moving differently - with its very own personal nostalgic value. According to the Telegraph.co.uk, "a classic car should be a worthwhile investment thanks to the unparalleled joy and satisfaction it's capable of delivering".

The Telegraph online reports that some wise investments could be a 1996-99 Boxter, which can be picked up for around £6,000 or the 1989-94 911s valued at around £8,000. If you have the cash to splash, another investment could be a mint condition Aston Martin DB4 GT from 1962-63, which is worth a staggering $1 million (around £680,000). However a "dog rough 1969-73 DBS V8 is available today for £5,000-£10,000, while an unkempt 1994-99 DB7 is a shade under £15,000".The joy of owning a classic car that may not be in the best condition is that you can restore it to its original beauty or keep it preserved in its current, somewhat aged state.

Fine craftsmanship, seldom seen and utterly beautiful – it's not difficult to see the appeal in classic cars. If you have more money and sense, then you could choose a classic car that is worth its own weight in gold, such as the Aston Martin DB5 (the car driven by James Bond in the Sean Connery era), or the Ferrari Dino and Lamborghini Miura.

According to AssociatedContent.com, the classic car trend seems to suggest that "classics may be one of those things that won't get crushed under the weight of the economy", having made it through many an economic breakdown and still coming out on top.

When taking on the venture of restoring one of the legendary metal masterpieces of the past yourself, you should make sure you don't get caught with your pants down so to speak – the more you know, the more you can do to restore the vehicle to its original beauty.

Tim Schofield, of Bonhams believes that "generally speaking, if a car caused a sensation when it was first launched, then it's always going to be collectable in years to come".

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What's the name of this kind of Shelby Mustang?

I saw a beautiful classic car in a showroom a while ago, and now I'm trying to find a picture of it online so I can stare at it some more.

I know it was a Shelby Mustang Cobra. It had black leather interior and I'm almost positive it had a bench seat in the front (rather than buckets). It was pretty curvatious overall. Convertable. Anyone have any idea what model this is?
It can't be GT500 because that didn't come out until 2007.
This probably from around the late sixties or early 70s.
Okay, now I'm sure it's a Shelby and a Cobra and not so sure it was a Mustang. I'm still looking for a pic online.
Thanks dallen, I have been searching for one with a bench. No wonder I haven't been able to find it.

Do a google search for shelby mustangs and you will find links to many sites and pictures. Carroll Shelby (That's HIS last name, not his daughter's name. Mercedes was a daughter's name!!) has been designing and modifying cars since the 60's. He took the British 2 seat sportscar, the AC Ace, which came with the Bristol 4 cylinder engine and stuck a Ford 260 CI V-8 in it, modified the suspension and began the AC Cobra line. He even developed his own body called the Daytona for the AC frame to make a racing coupe for the faster tracks. The Cobras were later available with the 289 and finally the King Cobra with the Ford 427. Ford then had him mod some mustangs starting in 1965 that were called GT 350's (with the 289 V-8) and in 1967 and 68 added the GT 500's (with 427 and 428 V-8's) His hottest Mustang back then was the GT 500 KR in 1968 that had 650 hp at the rear wheels. The 1970 GT 350 was the last of the old ones. He now has a contract modding mustangs for Ford into the new GT 500's. (I live right down the road from his facilities) The one_thing I can say is You won't find a bench seat in a Shelby design. He always used buckets for their ability to hold the driver behind the steering wheel in corners.

McCormick's Classic Car Showroom in Palm Springs, Ca