Will my station wagon ever be collectible?
May 5, 2009 6:37 AM Subscribe
My 1992 Olds wagon has high mileage but is in good condition and is completely stock except for the exterior color. Last year of production, one of 4347. Does it have collectible or classic potential?
I don't think the paint will matter for several reasons and all the original paint data is recorded for future reference. I'm mentally redoing the interior -carpet, headliner, door panels and seats- but haven't changed anything inside so far.
Make it my own or keep it original? Why? Thanks!
I don't think the paint will matter for several reasons and all the original paint data is recorded for future reference. I'm mentally redoing the interior -carpet, headliner, door panels and seats- but haven't changed anything inside so far.
Make it my own or keep it original? Why? Thanks!
A big reason that a lot of 1950s-60s cars have attained collectors-item status is because they were awesome. Many of them qualify as sports cars under some definition.
So a 1970 Camero?
Awesome.
A 1992 Oldsmobile wagon?
Not quite so awesome.
posted by valkyryn at 7:23 AM on May 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
So a 1970 Camero?
Awesome.
A 1992 Oldsmobile wagon?
Not quite so awesome.
posted by valkyryn at 7:23 AM on May 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
I've found there seem to be enthusiasts for nearly every car made. A friend inherited a Dodge Diplomat when his grandma passed away, and while he and I both though the car had few redeeming values outside of being free, a buyer was very, very happy to find a low mileage "driven by an old lady to church on Sundays" (quite seriously, in this case) Dodge Diplomat.
I don't predict that a 92 Olds will ever get a major cult status, but to someone, somewhere, someday, it could end up a dream come true.
posted by Steve3 at 7:28 AM on May 5, 2009
I don't predict that a 92 Olds will ever get a major cult status, but to someone, somewhere, someday, it could end up a dream come true.
posted by Steve3 at 7:28 AM on May 5, 2009
Ditto-ing Steve3 but with a link. There are people who will custom mod any make and model car, including a 1992 Oldsmobile Wagon.
posted by mrbarrett.com at 7:31 AM on May 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by mrbarrett.com at 7:31 AM on May 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
I used to own a 1992 Cutlass Cruiser. Nice car--when mine blew a head gasket, I sold it to a mechanic buddy. He installed some kind of high-power engine (bored-out 3.8l V6, if I remember right), and, six or eight years later, he's still driving it. Not a lof of collector potential to speak of, but if you wait another twenty years, who knows?
If you decide to customize it, I suggest making it into a bubble. You don't see enough station wagons sitting on chrome, and think of all the room for subwoofers.
posted by box at 7:36 AM on May 5, 2009
If you decide to customize it, I suggest making it into a bubble. You don't see enough station wagons sitting on chrome, and think of all the room for subwoofers.
posted by box at 7:36 AM on May 5, 2009
So a 1970 Camero?
Awesome.
A 1992 Oldsmobile wagon?
Not quite so awesome.
That's not what people were saying in 1982 when they were all excited about the new version of the Camaro. And a lot of cars that were considered totally disposable and "who would ever care about that?", like early 1970s Datsuns and Toyotas, are now being lovingly restored and bought by collectors. I saw an article somewhere, in the last year, about people restoring and collecting those big boat-sized station wagons of decades past (you know, with wood siding and dad in the front yelling "If you kids don't stop yelling, I'm going to turn this thing around RIGHT NOW!").
The point being, not many cars (especially in places where salt is used on the roads) make it through 25 or 35 years of use, still clean, still drivable, and without being modified in ways that hurt their value. Simply keeping your car on the road for 25 years would make it pretty unique -- by then there will be almost none of them around, and it will have a lot of novelty value for that alone. Whether it will ever be worth money though, is a different question -- old car values seem to be tied a lot to nostalgia, so cars that people remember fondly from their youth are worth more than cars that never made an impact on anyone's mind.
Really, I think it's like a house -- you can own it for the next person (meaning keeping it beige and inoffensive) or you can own it for you, changing it to please you. Since it isn't like you are sitting on an obvious automotive gold-mine, I'd say pimp that junker. Make it a rolling art car, paint racing stripes on the hood, or jack it up and convert it to 4 wheel drive. Whatever makes you happy, and screw the resale value.
posted by Forktine at 7:37 AM on May 5, 2009
Awesome.
A 1992 Oldsmobile wagon?
Not quite so awesome.
That's not what people were saying in 1982 when they were all excited about the new version of the Camaro. And a lot of cars that were considered totally disposable and "who would ever care about that?", like early 1970s Datsuns and Toyotas, are now being lovingly restored and bought by collectors. I saw an article somewhere, in the last year, about people restoring and collecting those big boat-sized station wagons of decades past (you know, with wood siding and dad in the front yelling "If you kids don't stop yelling, I'm going to turn this thing around RIGHT NOW!").
The point being, not many cars (especially in places where salt is used on the roads) make it through 25 or 35 years of use, still clean, still drivable, and without being modified in ways that hurt their value. Simply keeping your car on the road for 25 years would make it pretty unique -- by then there will be almost none of them around, and it will have a lot of novelty value for that alone. Whether it will ever be worth money though, is a different question -- old car values seem to be tied a lot to nostalgia, so cars that people remember fondly from their youth are worth more than cars that never made an impact on anyone's mind.
Really, I think it's like a house -- you can own it for the next person (meaning keeping it beige and inoffensive) or you can own it for you, changing it to please you. Since it isn't like you are sitting on an obvious automotive gold-mine, I'd say pimp that junker. Make it a rolling art car, paint racing stripes on the hood, or jack it up and convert it to 4 wheel drive. Whatever makes you happy, and screw the resale value.
posted by Forktine at 7:37 AM on May 5, 2009
Response by poster: Yes! Thought so. All mentally favorited. Many thanks.
posted by auntbunny at 7:48 AM on May 5, 2009
posted by auntbunny at 7:48 AM on May 5, 2009
A lot of things come into play as to whether a car is a collectible or not. My high mileage 1971 Corvette was far more sought-after than my 1975 low mileage Corvette that was in much better shape. Why is that?
1 - matching numbers - the '71 had them
2 - it was a convertible - the '75 is just a t-top
3 - model year - the 1975 model year will take a lot longer before it becomes popular
My general rule of thumb is that if it has the original engine, it's worth keeping stock. But if the block has been replaced, modify to your heart's content.
Keep in mind, though, that I've mostly focused on the markets for older ('75 and earlier) cars and unique later model sports cars. I don't have a lot of insight into the kind of market for a '92 Olds. I also can't predict the future. :)
posted by krisak at 8:08 AM on May 5, 2009
1 - matching numbers - the '71 had them
2 - it was a convertible - the '75 is just a t-top
3 - model year - the 1975 model year will take a lot longer before it becomes popular
My general rule of thumb is that if it has the original engine, it's worth keeping stock. But if the block has been replaced, modify to your heart's content.
Keep in mind, though, that I've mostly focused on the markets for older ('75 and earlier) cars and unique later model sports cars. I don't have a lot of insight into the kind of market for a '92 Olds. I also can't predict the future. :)
posted by krisak at 8:08 AM on May 5, 2009
Response by poster: box, don't think I haven't been teased about that already. My teenager finds it hilarious to call it names... very brave when you consider she gets picked up in my car front and center carpool every afternoon and I now have internet license do anything I want to it. I also like to gawk at cardomain, btw.
posted by auntbunny at 8:14 AM on May 5, 2009
posted by auntbunny at 8:14 AM on May 5, 2009
Your car may be, well, not collectible, but desirable to some enthusiasts. I know that there are Chevrolet guys into the mid-90s Buick Roadmaster wagons because they have a detuned version of the Corvette engine. Here's a video of one at a drag strip.
That said, to a collector, original paint and low mileage are everything. Your market is probably people who like this car, rather than those who collect it. I guarantee that there's a forum out there just for your car. Find it and post your question there and you'll get a more detailed response.
posted by zippy at 10:33 AM on May 5, 2009
That said, to a collector, original paint and low mileage are everything. Your market is probably people who like this car, rather than those who collect it. I guarantee that there's a forum out there just for your car. Find it and post your question there and you'll get a more detailed response.
posted by zippy at 10:33 AM on May 5, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
No, not really. The low production numbers have more to do with it being a wagon in the golden age of minivans, and not anything special, like being a COPO or other such line-item custom production variant. Are we talking about a Custom Cruiser?
Make it my own or keep it original?
Go for it! Pimp that sucker. Though, I'm not too sure how well a '92 Olds will take to customization, it's still your home away from home. Make it as comfy as you want.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:52 AM on May 5, 2009