Future collectibility of a '72 350SL?

[POS]

Been looking for one, and I always take that variable under consideration. The w109 isn't all that collectible now, but I was wondering about the collectibility of one in - let's say 10-15 years or so.

Thoughts?

[deanyel]

Did you mean 107? A 109 is the 300SEL air suspension cars of the 60s and early 70s. I personally don't see the 107 ever being all that collectable - any of them. But that's just a personal opinion from someone who doesn't think highly of them now - and a lot of people do like them. The real value of collectable is rarity and there are so many 107s.

[t walgamuth]

that is true. too many to be ever really collectible. but eventaully the low value will cause them to die and go away til there are less of them around and then they will rise some.

but a really nice one will always have some value.

tom w

[POS]

Sorry about that - mistype. Yes the w107.

[Strife]

I think that early models, perfectly original, will be collectable, but not for a while, possibly not for 10+ more years. If you want to make money, put it in stocks. With rare exceptions, cars are a bad investment, and have a lot of hidden (and deliberately ignored) costs.

I do note that some muscle cars and/or hot rods of the 40/50/60's that have been modified with period items can be as valuable as museum piece original cars. Although this will be a problem for my heirs, not me, I've tried to tastefully modify my car with "period" accessories mostly from Germany, and have kept all original parts or have original spares.

My opinion, the stratospheric prices 60's muscle cars have been getting has peaked or will peak soon, "strangely" coinciding with the peak earning years of the people who were in their teens and twenties at the time. Many collectible items follow this pattern, Beatles cards, record albums, etc.

With muscle cars, generation X and Y people are going to wonder exactly what the thrill was about driving a badly-made, ill-handling, slow (yeah, slow), crude and incredibly dangerous vehicle, not having any memories of the times in which they were built.

[POS]

When I buy a car, I always take into consideration what it will be worth when it's useful life to me is over - a daily driver for example.

When I buy an older car that I want to keep for 10+ years, I take that same thing into consideration. Anyone who can make enough money to collect cars is (a) got to be smart enough to know that buying cars as an "investment" is colossally stupid, and (b) the reason we do it anyway is because we love cars and consider ourselves "car guys" - it's the price we pay for our hobby and enjoyment.

I like driving and I like driving different types of vehicles - what I want is a garage full of choices.

In looking at a '72 w107, I just wondered if they were ever going to have the flair of being something special.

[230/8]

POS:

You raise an interesting question that probably has no definitive answer. The safest approach is to heed the meaning in Strife's words, which I broadly paraphrase; take on a car because you like it, not as an investment.

I have a beautifully kept 1972 350SL 4.5 (am second owner) and can tell you that I probably paid too much and probably cannot get back all my money. But who cares? I love it and the challenge of owning it and keeping it running properly. Preserving a good'un under glass for 10 - 15 years (as some folks do) in anticipation of a price rise seems self defeating, if your parallel goal is to enjoy the darn thing.

I believe the 72s have greatest potential for appreciation owing to their simplicity of design (relatively speaking) and elegance of style with small bumpers. Add in euro-headlights and they have smashing good looks. Alex Dearborn was interviewed recently in the MBCA STAR magazine. He also believes the 72-73 cars are nicest for these reasons and more.

If you go for a 72 then be aware that some of their parts are unique and somewhat expensive, such as the heater switch which is about double the cost. Other things to consider are the padded interior parts which will develop sun cracks, the dash and pillar posts especially. There are no replacements for the pillar posts but dashes are available in blue and black. Also, the old style consoles are not available so replacing it also involves some carpeting.

Aside from these things there is almost nothing to criticize. Engines are nearly bullet proof as are the rest of the mechanicals.

As to future sales potential, regardless of "collectability", you will probably sell to someone like yourself; someone whole likes and admires the cars and appreciates them for what they are.

Bottom line...if you like it buy it.

FWIW,

230/8

[t walgamuth]

and if you take care of it you can sell it for the same as you paid and if lucky a little more.

anything that doesnt depreciate is good.... for a car.

tom w

[kip Foss]

If you are looking for a return on a $10k investment put a down payment on a house. Cars are mostly not good investments. You can see all the muscle cars on Barrett-Jackson that you want to but if a person had invested the original price in the stockmarket (or better yet Palo Alto, Ca real estate) they would have been money ahead.

Granted there have been big bucks lost in the market but on average over the long term the market returns about 11% per year. The rule of 72 means that if you average 11% a year you will double your money in 6.5 years. Divide that into 35 years, say from 1971 till 2006, and you get about 5.4 doublings of your money. Say you paid $4k for the car new. That comes out to about $180k. Now there are obviously tax liabilities on this but then consider what it would have cost you to maintain you car for 35 years. Insurance, storage, maintenance, restoration, etc.

Investing in the market is certainly not as much fun as driving faround in a really cool car but if it is return on your money that you want stay away from cars and jewelry.

[page62]

Originally Posted by kip Foss

Investing in the market is certainly not as much fun as driving faround in a really cool car but if it is return on your money that you want stay away from cars and jewelry.

...and expensive women...

[POS]

Originally Posted by kip Foss

Investing in the market is certainly not as much fun as driving faround in a really cool car but if it is return on your money that you want stay away from cars and jewelry.

Didn't I say "Anyone who can make enough money to collect cars is (a) got to be smart enough to know that buying cars as an "investment" is colossally stupid..."?