Old things appreciate in vaule

[Bill Greenwood]

One reason to own something vintage and rare and expensive, if you need an excuse is that the right ones really appreciate in value.
I just saw the story of a rare Mercedes 300 SL roadster selling at auction for $1.045 million. It is the road version of the race car. the 300 SLR that Moss, etc dominated in back around 57. It particularly caught my eye as I came close to buying one about 1970, but was talked out of it. They were asking, if I recally in the high teens ,maybe $18,000. It was a whole car,ran and was drivable, but by no means show perfect. I dont know about any matching numbers, but I have never forgotten that car and wonder where it is today.
Does a rare car like that appreciate more than a rare airplane? Seems it may.

[Dana]

Does a rare car like that appreciate more than a rare airplane? Seems it may.

Yes, because there are a lot more people interested in old cars than old airplanes. Supply and demand.

[CHICAGORANDY]

Yes, because there are a lot more people interested in old cars than old airplanes. Supply and demand.

And there are only just so many with Kermit Weeks $$$ in their mattress. - lol

[Airmutt]

Let’s see to Dana”s point........
Cost to learn to drive a car $200-800 vs $8-12,000 for a private pilot license in the US.
228 million drivers licenses issued vs 610,000 active pilots in the US.
Over 4 million miles of road to drive vs 5170 airports open to the general public in the US.
Average annual cost to own a car is about $8500 vs $12,00-30,000 for an aircraft in the US, excludes purchase price.
Anyone can work on their car vs required to go to A&P. Yes there are caveats.
220,000 general aviation aircraft where 80% ate estimated for business and public use vs over 270 million registered cars in the US.
Yup I think I can see why cars are mote popular than airplanes.

[Bill Greenwood]

I have not driven all out race cars, but I used to own a Corvette, ( lots of power, good 4 speed, adequate steering, but small hard tires, 6.78 x 15 that had very little traction, a set of Michelin radials would have transformed it) and owned 2 Porsche 911). A Porsche drives like a Spitfire flies, great steering, even if the ones I had were not the fast ones of today. I think I'd be tempted to get in trouble if I owned one of the 450 hp turbo 911s out there now. A Porsche steering just seems to know where you want it to go.
There is no car that I have ever driven that seems as special as a Spitfire, or maybe a Mustang. I did have a car Mustang once, it was not a tiger in sheeps clothing. Roads are so crowded today that it seems really hard to get away from traffic and ever use a 1/3 of a ultra high performance 200 mph car, and do it safely. I live in a small town and almost never drive over 50 near town. If I 'm in Austin and everyone on the freeway is going 80 it seems too much to me. I used to upshift out of 2nd gear at 6500 rpm and 85 mph in the Corvette and its a wonder I didn't kill anyone. We used to race to and from school daily. The morning I left for the Air Force we took the Corvette out on the highway for an all our run about 140 mph.
But you take off in an airplane and you are in another world and I can go 15 miles away and not be crowded or limited at all.

[Bill Greenwood]

Up to a point, old pilots have value due to experience and like fine wine appreciate.

[CHICAGORANDY]

"Up to a point, old pilots have value due to experience and like fine wine appreciate. "

Whereas this old non-pilot seems to be aging like milk. lol

[Mark17]

Let’s see to Dana”s point........
Cost to learn to drive a car $200-800 vs $8-12,000 for a private pilot license in the US.
228 million drivers licenses issued vs 610,000 active pilots in the US.
Over 4 million miles of road to drive vs 5170 airports open to the general public in the US.
Average annual cost to own a car is about $8500 vs $12,00-30,000 for an aircraft in the US, excludes purchase price.
Anyone can work on their car vs required to go to A&P. Yes there are caveats.
220,000 general aviation aircraft where 80% ate estimated for business and public use vs over 270 million registered cars in the US.
Yup I think I can see why cars are mote popular than airplanes.

Bob Pond, Tom Cruise and Carl Edwards all come to mind. All great Aviation Enthusiasts as well as car guys. There’s tremendous crossover with guys who like airplanes in addition to cars. You don’t have to be a pilot to collect classic aircraft. You obviously can be like the gentleman above but the fire is there for those who are not as well. I never met any little boy that didn’t like an F-14 Tomcat because he liked a Porsche 911 Turbo more. We love them all and given the resources, will have them all. My Dad flew in Vietnam. Was in High School in the 50’s. Wants a 1954 Hudson Hornet Convertible probably more than anything in the world except for his own Super Constellation. Yup the Super Connie probably Trumps the Hudson but if he hit the lotto I can guarantee you both of them are in his hangar in a heart beat alongside a 1941 Chris Craft Barrel Back. Guys cut from our mold love the same things- Speed, Style and Substance. Doesn’t matter if it’s an Airplane, Boat or Car. We want them!