The most consistent question I get asked is “Are we at the top of the market, ripe for correction?” Wondering that too long has many people watching as the market passes them by. I’ve been helping people build their collections for about 20 years, through more than one economic downturn. The answer to that question is big and will give you the insight you need to execute confidently on your own collection plans.   

I'm about to hit the road again to Mopars in the Park in Stillwater, Minnesota. By all accounts car show attendance has been through the roof this year as people, eager to be out and around other people again turn out in droves. The organizers of Chrysler’s at Carlisle report an all time record registrations for their July 10th event. Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals are debuting a new installment of their show in late June at the Gilmore. Interest in shows has never been stronger.  

This economic mayhem seems to feed into all the reasons buy rare and desirable hard goods. People are buying collector cars to both insulate their recent business gains from the ravages of the inflating dollar and the general feeling of “screw it” I’m going to get out and drive. Check out my next installment of Auction Market Analysis in Mopar Collector’s Guide to see what I mean.  

But that is only part of it. With the major manufacturers shifting most of their new offerings away from vehicles designed around self-determination, performance, and personal expression, to that of captive consumer audience appliances, optimized as automatic data collection devices. Interest in the anything that grates against this grain is very, very high. Vintage Trucks, 4x4’s, and of course American Muscle, top that list. It is a market driven rebellion against the current regulatory mandates designed to change the face of motoring. >>>

>>> Americans do not like being told what to do by the market. Americans are used to telling the market what it wants. America also has a different relationship with the automobile than most of the rest of the world. It is a love affair with independence, autonomy, and personal expression. Unlike the Oil Crisis of the 1970’s, this America isn’t going to resign themselves to a lesser expression of car life because government and industry demand it. We aren’t surrendering ourselves to mere existence inside an electric powered iPhone just yet.

So, have no fear, car culture is alive and well despite every effort arrayed against it. The best way to build a collection in this climate is to confidently buy what you love. Buy to a standard of quality that fits how you enjoy these machines. Buy as soon as the opportunity arises because competition is fierce. Once you get it, let time do the rest. 

Enjoy this issue of THE KROOK REPORT. ~Patrick