For all intents and purposes, they have crashed. As mentioned, the upper echelon (LS6, Z16, COPO/Yenko, etc.) will remain for a good while. The world is an expensive place. The average new car transaction price is $30k or more. The average, restored/nice real SS but NOM or maybe a “lesser” 396/454 type Chevelle is about the same basically. They just aren’t going to $10k or $15k again.
So I’m 33 and from what I gather, definitely one of the younger guys on the site. I’ll offer some insight from my demographic/generation.
I’ve had the car bug since birth. A cool car is a cool car. When I was 16 (actually about 13) my dream car to have in high school was a ‘70 LS6. Didnt happen, obviously. After looking at several big block Chevelles and even a ‘68 Mustang 390 fastback (yep, it was a Bullitt clone) I was allowed to buy a one owner ‘80 K5 (350 4bbl and TH400, so even a high schooler couldn’t break it). The Chevelles and Mustang would have been with a funds match from my parents of what I had saved mowing lawns for many summers. Even still these were nice drivers for $8k-$10k. This was 1999-2000.
So this year I bought a ‘72 W code with a previous body off resto, NOM. It was a beautiful day here and I drove it to work today. I office in downtown Denver (I have a reserved garage spot and I have a toll tag on it so I’m not in traffic). Denver is a very “young” city. So many 20 and 30 somethings. They were all pointing, giving thumbs up, one guy my age gave the double index finger hand roll, aka the universal “light ‘em up” symbol. So, as it was about 3pm and I was the only one at the light, I gave him and his group a quick smoke show. Like a 4-second to about 10mph burnout. Applause and smiles all around. So, I wouldn’t say there’s a lack of interest.
My generation does lean towards what was cool when we were kids: Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4’s, Toyota Supra Turbo’s, Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbos, Mazda RX-7’s, Audi S4’s, BMW M3’s, etc. but also Mustang Cobra’s and SS Camaro’s, Vipers, etc. The one thing my generation all seem to have in common with old cars, and this is somewhat inexplicable, are an affinity towards classic 4x4’s. Specifically, 70’s and 80’s era SUV’s. For example, I have a ‘78 Bronco. It’s an original “Freewheeling Edition”. It has a 400, plaid seats and the top comes off.....bad ass! K5’s, Scouts, Broncos, SJ Jeep (Wagoneer, Cherokee Cheif), FJ 40’s and so on are universally liked very much by my peers. I get thumbs up in my Chevelle, but approached with a desire to talk about, see and touch the Bronco. Perhaps it’s because they know what it is?
My shaky theory is this: We are a generation of, among many things, a desire for usefulness in items. If something doesn’t add value, or work as designed, it’s not highly regarded. My point in this context being that the classic SUV is potentially seen as something that checks multiple boxes of usefulness. It’s an “old car”/classic vehicle. It’s something you can take to pick up items for your DIY home project. It’s something the family can easily fit in. It’s something you could take camping. And so on. Whereas the Chevelle is potentially seen as great to look at, but what can you really use it for besides driving? Again, this is through the eyes of others as I’m speculating. BUT....man o man does it make a noise. Noise you can feel. Noise that even the ricer crowd will admit awakens some innate, raw, car guy emotion that can’t be denied. The experience of nailing it in 1st and getting it to 4th gear while still being pointed in the correct direction, that’s a beautiful thing. Can those other cars I mentioned above do it quicker? Most likely. But do they do it “safer”? Yes, and that’s the problem. It’s analog vs digital. Wrestling a bear vs a sanitized experience. And that is something that may not be realized until they take a ride in a Chevelle or, hopefully, see mine do an effortlessly quick 4-second burnout at a light in downtown Denver. There is hope here guys. Don’t count us out because we’re young. In today’s world that’s Ageism and grounds for a lawsuit, lol.
I guess to digress back to the OP’s question, what I’m saying is that if your going to sell them in your later years or pass them on to eager relatives, then great! Someone will buy them and enjoy it. And be able to buy them at a reasonable price. However, if you’re going to keep it in the garage and it’s now your estates problem, or your going to destroy them (come on) then, there will be fewer vehicles available to acquire and prices might rise.
Unfortunately for some, the restomod route is probably the build theme of choice for the majority in my generation. So to my initial statement, the rare and original ones will stay out of reach, but the clone vs real SS (but NOM or a “lesser” 396/454) gap will probably continue to narrow as restomods don’t care who the donor vehicle was born.
:grin2:
