Australian Classic Cars Buyers Guide: Market Review 2013-Pt.2

Date: 19.12.2013

We put the Unique Cars spotlight on the collectable market's hot performers and its up and comers

2013 Australian Buyers Guide - Classic cars

> Read Part 1: Intro here

Market review example:

BMC Brands BMC from the 1940s to ‘70s produced a huge variety of models based on British designs but specifically for Australian needs. A40 Tourers were once common and cheaper than sedans but can reach $20,000, with most utilities at $4000-7000. Austin 1800 utilities are 50 percent more valuable than sedans. Early Lancers and Majors are sought for historic racing and more expensive than the later Elite which costs $2500-3500 in good condition. Wolseley 24/80s and Austin Freeways from the 1960s sell for half the price of same-age Holdens and Falcons but a very good Mini Deluxe will cost more than $10,000.

Austin A40 Utility $5665 [3]* Austin 1800 Utility $7150 [2] Morris Elite $2970 [8] Wolseley 24/80 $5165 [3]

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Chrysler Valiant/Regal/Hardtop 1962-71 Pick of the 1960s Valiants are V8s that are extending their appeal and headed for $30,000. Early 1960s S Series cars can be found in good condition for $12-15,000 but double that outlay is needed for an R Series. What to pay for six-cylinder AP5-6 and VC-VG passenger models and utilities comes down to condition and personal preference. Regals and the scarce VIP offer uprated style, comfort and performance for $5000-10,000 more than a basic model. If you want a V8, perhaps go for a VF-VG Hardtop that in decent condition costs around $14,000. They then rise into the mid-$20,000s when looking at an excellent, unmodified Regal.

S Series $13,600 [15] AP5-AP6 $9785 [17] AP6 V8/VC V8 $28,065 [8] VC-VG $9835 [27] AP5-AP6 Regal $16,080 [9] VC-VG Regal $12,820 [16] VE-VG VIP $21,665 [3] VF-VG Hardtop $20,195 [18]

Chrysler Valiant/Regal/Centura 1971-81 Not too many years ago, people who wanted a roomy, low-cost family car could spend a few thousand on a 1970s Valiant. In the space of just five years, VH-CM prices have jumped to around $8000 and taken the well-equipped Regal along for the ride. However, these cars with their 3.5-4.3-litre engines remain significantly less expensive than a Holden or Falcon of similar age. For rarity with some style, hunt down a two-door VH-VJ Regal or maybe the ‘Chrysler by Chrysler’ quasi-limousine. Younger buyers and drag-racers are keen on the French-sourced Centura that was modified upon arrival to take a six-cylinder ‘hemi’ engine.

VH-CM Valiant $7935 [23] VH-CM Regal $10,260 [11] VH-VJ Regal H/Top $22,500 [2] CH-CK Chrysler $11,000 [2] Centura 3.5/4.0 $6535 [4]

Chrysler Pacer/Charger 1969-78 VG Pacers came in two or four-door shapes and there was even a ‘Track Pack’. Two-barrel sedans are generally worth less than $30,000 with Hardtops a little dearer and the rare ‘4bbl’ usually above $50,000. Lots of rusty Chargers were dumped during the 1980s, creating demand for surviving cars which 10 years ago began climbing in value. Base and XL versions seem to have stalled at $25-30,000 but the 770 with a V8 or 4.3-litre six can make $35,000. E38 and E49 cars are recovering from their 2008-10 price plunge, so expect to see excellent E49s above $120,000 and E38s heading for $90,000. The V8 E55 at $50-55,000 offers great value.

Pacer VG $36,200 [5] Charger/XL VH-CL $26,770 [10] Charger 770 VH-CL $32,195 [16] Charger E38 $85,500 [7] Charger E48/E49 $118,000 [10]

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Ford Cortina TC-TF/Escort/Laser TX3/Capri Once upon a time Ford built a lot of models especially for Australia and did very well from them too. The six-cylinder Cortina was an engineering nightmare but a lot have survived and values are strong. 2.0-litre Escorts remain popular too and with few remaining the values are headed for $10,000. A top-class RS2000 can already reach $15,000. 4WD Laser TX3s are hard to find yet excellent cars cost $6-8000, with neglected KC-KFs below $3000. The Capri convertible was an export failure however a lot have been preserved and offer great open-top value. Basic cars range from $3500-5000, with later XR2s slightly more. The end-of-series Clubsprint can cost $8000.

Cortina TC-TF Six $5800 [16] Escort GL/Ghia 2.0 $6895 [8] Escort RS2000 $9585 [7] Laser TX3 4WD 1988-93 $8020 [5] Capri/Turbo $3440 [28] Capri XR2/Clubsprint $4895 [23]

Ford Falcon/Fairmont XK-XT A jump in early Falcon asking prices has been accompanied by a significant decline in the numbers of available cars. This might be a temporary situation, but concerning nonetheless. Futura sedans and ‘woody’ Squire wagons are particularly scarce. Other pre-1970s cars have also been climbing in value; V8-engined XR and XTs are very popular and often modified. Expect to spend $15,000 on a ‘500’ or up to $30,000 for a near-perfect XR Fairmont. Availability of XM-XP Hardtops seems to have been affected by stagnant prices, encouraging owners to leave their cars in the shed until conditions improve.

XK-XL Falcon $10,780 [10] XM-XP Falcon (Exc. H/Top) $11,480 [31] XM-XP Hardtop $26,800 [7] XR-XT Falcon $16,400 [26] XR-XT Fairmont $19,835 [14]

Ford XW-XY Falcon/Fairmont/GT Replica Sharing their shape with this country’s most desirable performance car certainly helps XW-XY Falcons maintain a strong collector market presence. Commercial versions and vans in particular have been generating strong money and V8s can reach $30,000. The best way to cash in on the ambience of an XY GT is of course to buy a replica but don’t expect it to be an ‘investment’. Some ‘clones’ can exceed $70,000 but most have been based on very basic donor cars and are worth less than $45,000. V8 Fairmonts in authentic condition offer more investment appeal and increasing values. Desirable XY 351 sedans with four-speed manual transmission currently exceed $40,000.

XW-XY Falcon $15,385 [30] XW-XY Fairmont $15,880 [5] XW Fairmont V8 $26,240 [17] XY Fairmont V8 $34,055 [22] XY GT Replica $53,300 [17]

Ford XA-XF Falcon/Fairmont Except for the Hardtops which have found a market niche totally separate from other versions, XA-XC Falcons make an affordable choice for anyone seeking a genuinely ‘practical’ classic. XBs came with their headlight flasher and dip-switch on the column and later-series XCs with improved suspension that did make a difference to the handling. V8s can cost twice the price of a six-cylinder car and excellent XC GXL Fairmonts are heading for $25,000. Looking at XD-XFs, basic GLs and six-cylinder Fairmonts cost well below $10,000, with V8s $5000-10,000 dearer. The 5.8-litre XE ESPs rank among the rarest of all Aussie Fords yet still don’t match 1970s GT values.

XA-XC Falcon $10,985 [32] XA-XC Fairmont V8 $17,135 [21] XA-XC Hardtop $38,020 [22] XD-XF Falcon $6045 [26] XD-XF Fairmont $7090 [27] XD/XE Fairmont ESP V8 $27,100 [10]

Ford Falcon XR-XY GT/GTHO Please don’t sell the heirlooms or raid your super just yet but the Falcon GT market is showing signs of life. Values that stood still from 2009-12 are creeping up and there will be vendors keen to move cars that have been hanging around for a while. Very good XYs can be found in the vicinity of $100,000 and XWs are $30,000 cheaper. At $50,000 a decent XT GT is worth a look and original XRs are only marginally dearer. Top-shelf GTHO Phase 3s can cost $500,000 but very few of that quality remain. It’s questionable whether a Ph3 that has been repanelled and repainted is really worth more than an untouched Phase 1 or 2.

XR GT $53,835 [3] XT GT $48,215 [11] XW GT $68,280 [15] XY GT $98,945 [19] GTHO PH1/2 $193,000 [10] GTHO PH3 $403,000 [5]

Ford Falcon XA-XB GT/XC Cobra Two-door GT Falcons of any kind excite collectors and the presence of some RPO83 ‘bling’ adds to their appeal. Two-door XAs generally sell $15-20,000 above the price of a four-door car and there’s a similar disparity in the values of XB models. RPO83 extras comprised a larger carburettor and exhaust manifold but could extend to other goodies including rear wheel disc brakes. These cars have sold at more than $100,000, which is also where we now find four-speed, 5.8-litre Cobra hardtops. Only 50 were made – plus 30 of the Option 97 Bathurst cars – so they rank among the rarest of 1970s Fords.

XA GT Sedan $51,455 [14] XA GT H/Top $78,990 [9] XB GT Sedan $43,970 [17] XB GT H/Top $64,375 [4] XC Cobra $106,200 [5]

Ford Falcon XR6/XR8 1992-1998 Despite the best efforts of owners to promote their EB and EL GT Falcons, the collector market would prefer to spend $35,000 on a rusted-out XY. Even a virtually new EL at $85,000 is proving hard to move. At the other end of the price scale and in real danger of disappearing are early XR6 and XR8s – especially the S-badged EBs. Pick of the ED-EL models is the limited-production ED XR8 Sprint with its 192kW engine. Manual cars are worth slightly more than autos. As everyday transport, a 1990s XR6 or XR8 is likely to cost less than $6000.

EB XR6-S $3795 [2] XR6 ED-EL $4470 [19] EB XR8-S $5935 [3] XR8 ED-EL $6740 [34] ED XR8 Sprint $13,815 [6] EB-EL GT $29,935 [9]

Ford AU-BA XR6/XR8 TE-TS50 1999-2006 A standard AU XR6 or XR8 at $6000 is great value but if you have $30,000 to invest in a car that might be worth something significant in years ahead, consider a Tickford-enhanced Falcon. Very few were made and collectors are yet to pounce even though these are special cars that showcase some exceptional local engineering. Early TE50s that have travelled more than 150,000 kms start around $10,000 while very low kay or special-build T3s might make $25,000. Also worth a punt if you can find a really low-kilometre car is the BA XR6 Turbo - even outstanding cars won’t go much beyond $20,000.

AU XR6 $6090 [28] AU XR8 $8345 [23] BA XR6 Turbo $14,550 [48] BA XR8 $13,640 [38] TE50 1999-02 $26,510 [16]

FPV BA-BF GT/Typhoon/Cobra 2002-07 FPV really did itself and the market no favours by building a lot of contrived collectables. The BF Cobra – with two doors or four – might have seemed like good fun until people who laid down $70,000 and went looking for a $10,000 resale bonus found that the market was only offering $55,000. BA-BF GTs are good cars that can swallow distance better than vehicles three times their price but collectability is a long way off and may never come at all. The Typhoon sedan and turbo-ute Tornado have some hope but you will need to find a virtually unused car and entomb it for several decades to see some growth.

BA GT 2004-06 $22,635 [37] BF GT 2006-07 $31,050 [26] Typhoon F6 Sedan 2004-06 $24,775 [51] BF Cobra Sedan $60,300 [10] BF Cobra Utility $55,130 [5]

Ford Fairlane/LTD 1967-85 With only a small sample to judge by we can’t confirm a surge in ZA-ZB Fairlane values but do keep an eye on these competent old cars. ZC-ZD versions have already shown their ability to broach $30,000 and other models will follow. Best value at present is the ZF-ZG – a shape a lot of people didn’t like when new and they’re still cheap now. So too the bulky ZH and closely-related FC LTD. Top examples of either model rarely cost more than $20,000.

1973-75 Landaus shared the Falcon Hardtop shell but are now scarce. Very good ones get close to $40,000 and remain slightly cheaper than a 351-engined Fairmont.

ZA/ZB Fairlane $18,585 [6] ZC/ZD Fairlane $18,570 [23] ZF-ZH Fairlane $9240 [29] Landau 1973-75 $43,665 [3] LTD 1976-79 $11,625 [12] Fairlane/LTD 1979-85 $5355 [25]

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***** Holden 48/215-EK Some people have lived long enough to remember when owners would give away perfectly useable old Holdens because they were worthless as trade-ins. Now, with the very early cars quite capable of topping $40,000 and later models cracking $30,000, anyone who held onto a ‘freebie’ will be grinning. For those on a budget and keen to buy an older Holden the best choice may be something from the FE-EK era that has acquired a later-model engine and transmission, with front disc brakes to assist survival in modern traffic. These are available at around $15,000. Early 1960s cars and commercials in good, standard condition sell for similar money.

48-215 $25,555 [10] FJ $23,920 [20] FE $10,225 [4] FC $18,280 [10] FB/EK $15,540 [27]

Holden EJ-HR The EH Holden has just blown out 50 candles and certainly isn’t looking or acting its age. More than 256,000 were made, survivors are common and a lot have been updated to remain usable. Authentic EH Premiers can top $35,000, which is $20,000 above the price of an average car. EJ models still lag behind but good ones now cost $10,000 and leather-trimmed Premiers can reach $20,000. Most common and slightly cheaper than an EH is the HD/HR duo. A lot of HDs were dumped early in life but survivors began emerging about 10 years ago. Excellent Specials reach $15,000 and some Premiers bring over $20,000.

EJ $11,290 [27] EH $15,770 [31] EJ Premier $13,165 [3] EH Premier $26,340 [5] HD/HR $13,255 [38] HD/HR Premier $15,250 [14]

Holden HK-HG Competition from Ford and Chrysler to build a V8 family car prompted one of Holden’s most successful models. The HK-HG shape is now 45 years old yet still looks good and there are plenty of well-kept cars in the market. Six-cylinder values remain at sensible levels and even an excellent Premier will cost around $16,000. The V8s are a different matter and asking prices for some HK Premiers have exceeded $40,000, although HT-HGs rarely get above $25,000. One to watch, if only for curiosity value, is the Brougham. These lengthened Premiers made little impact when new but cars where the elaborate interior remains intact are in demand.

All Models Exc. Premier $12,510 [32] HK-HG Premier $14,930 [10] HK Premier V8 $31,265 [9] HT-HG Premier V8 $26,090 [13] HK-HG Brougham $27,265 [8]

Holden HQ-HZ/Statesman HQ-WB 1970s Holdens offer a huge variety of designs, attributes and pricing. That means lots of choice for newcomers to the enthusiast vehicle arena. A tidy HQ-HZ Kingswood with three gears – manual or Tri-matic – and six cylinders can be bought for less than $6000. V8 Premiers and the luxo-barge Statesman are in hot demand and very good examples of either model reach $15,000. Finding a vehicle that can work for its living might be tough as Sandman vans and utes now cost more than $30,000 and most One Tonne HQ-WBs are too pretty for hard use. Modded ‘Tonners’ can make $20,000, those without the flash paint and mahogany trays bring $5000-8000.

HQ-HZ $8710 [61] HQ-HZ Premier V8 $15,690 [9] Statesman HQ-HZ $13,115 [35] Statesman WB $14,135 [15] HQ-WB One-Tonne $13,085 [42] Sandman HJ-HZ $28,915 [6]

Holden Monaro HK-HZ Early Monaros with competition credibility in their background can still exceed $100,000 but anyone putting $200,000+ on an HK or HT will need to be offering a car that did actually grid up for a Bathurst 500. A GTS with six-cylinders should cost $40-45,000 and an HK V8 with the correct [5.0 litre] motor is still worth $60,000. HQ and HJ GTS two doors have been gaining value and top cars are getting close to $50,000. Sedans and LS two-doors generally stay under $35,000. If you can stand the colour-scheme and the seats are intact, an HX LE is rare and most sell below $50,000.

HK-HG Monaro/GTS $45,000 [3] HK-HG Monaro V8 $57,085 [16] HK GTS327 $104,165 [9] HT GTS350 $113,420 [5] HG GTS350 $82,245 [4] HQ-HX Monaro Coupe $50,135 [18] HQ-HZ Monaro Sedan $31,090 [27]

Holden Torana LC-LJ/GTR/XU-1 If you want an Australian car with competition credentials that will stay in fashion for almost ever, find an XU-1 Torana. If you can’t afford the $55-70,000 currently being paid for an excellent LJ, a single-carburettor GTR will save you $30,000. LC XU-1s are less common than the LJ but currently cost $15,000 less. Pre-LC Toranas were a popular small car choice during the 1960s but hardly any of those early, four-cylinder cars survive. Pick of them is the Brabham-Torana that might make $15,000. Six-cylinder LC-LJs with four-speed transmission provide a reasonably-priced alternative to the GTR.

HB-TA Torana $7400 [2] LC-LJ S/SL $14,670 [11] LC XU-1 $56,250 [2] LC/LJ GTR $39,970 [16] LJ XU-1 $72,690 [8]

Holden Torana LH-UC/Gemini Pity rather than envy was the response upon discovering back in the 1970s that a mate had managed to fund and insure a V8 Torana. Before the installation of Radial Tuned Suspension sorted the terrible steering and body roll, LH SL/Rs and other V8 Toranas needed lots of work to make them corner at all. Today an excellent, authentic SL/R5000 will manage $50,000, with replicas $15,000 less. Six-cylinder LH-UC sedans aren’t too difficult to find and most sell for less than $10,000. Younger buyers remain keenly attracted to rear-wheel drive Geminis which are mostly are worth $3500-6000. An early, Isuzu-badged TX coupe might reach $12,000.

LH-LX SL $13,470 [14] LH-LX SL/R 5000 $45,900 [25] LX SS V8 Hatch $45,300 [7] L34/A9X Sedan $115,335 [3] A9X Hatch $185,000 [1] Gemini TX-TD $7885 [7]

Holden Commodore/Calais VB-VL VB-VH Commodores are all more than 30 years old yet only V8 SL/Es are making much impression on the collector market. Cars with the 5.0-litre engine and ‘308 Pack’ manual transmission are very scarce and some have been offered at $30,000. Basic six-cylinder SLs in very good condition still sell for less than $5000 and a V8-engined VK or VL Calais is unlikely to cost more than $12,000. Turbo VLs, especially the Cadillac-inspired Calais, have been building a strong following among younger buyers and it’s possible to spend $20,000 on an excellent and basically stock car – more for one with a pile of modifications.

VB-VL Commodore $5455 [39] VB-VH SL/E $14,450 [10] VK-VL Calais V8 $12,385 [23] VL SL Turbo $9690 [17] VL Calais Turbo $14,055 [19]

Holden Commodore VN-VY/Statesman VQ-WH Long-wheelbase, luxury Holdens are everywhere in the market and insanely cheap. Early VQ-VS models remain viable as daily transport yet values have dipped below $5000 due to a torrent of rapidly-depreciating later cars. Expect to pay less than $10,000 for an excellent WH. Supercharged V6 cars with documented low kilometres have some collector appeal, as do the VN-VP SS models. Other V8s are generating greater interest than was the case five years ago but values rarely reach $15,000. Among the later SS variants, VR-VT cars are common, cheap and battling to find buyers. VX-VY versions still cost more than $12,000 but prices are plunging.

VN-VP SS $8460 [18] VR-VT SS $6390 [65] VX-VY SS $11,370 [71] VQ-VS Statesman $5690 [44] WH Statesman $10,955 [24]

Holden Monaro/HSV Coupe 2002-06 Late-series Monaros have a chance at long-term investment success providing buyers preserve the few low-kilometre cars still on offer. CV6 versions are currently the cheapest V2 Monaros in the market and prices are headed for $10,000. Most Monaro buyers will want a V8 and be prepared to pay $20,000 for a CV8; $5000 more for a CV8-R. HSV-badged GTO and GTS models aren’t especially scarce and, with plenty available, probably overpriced. If you’re spending $50,000, look for a GTS with less than 80,000km showing. Just 163 of the all-wheel drive Coupe 4 were made and demand has so far kept values above $70,000.

Monaro CV6 $17,050 [19] Monaro CV8 2002-06 $27,400 [60] HSV GTO 2002-06 $45,825 [36] HSV GTS 2002-04 $52,995 [19] HSV Coupe 4 $75,700 [5]

Holden HDT (Brock) Commodore VC-VH HDT products continue to make gains in a market that will revere the Brock name for decades to come. In addition to the heritage they preserve these are pretty good cars in their own right and certainly a match for overseas-made muscle machinery. The VK Group A recognised by blue paint and 4.9-litre engines, remains in the $80-90,000 range but may not stay below $100,000 for too much longer. A scarce VL Director was sold at auction for $77,000 but interest in the ‘Polariser’ VL Group A is static and good ones can be found for less than $45,000.

VC $56,975 [8] VH Group 3 $60,335 [6] VK SS/Group 3 $33,125 [8] VK Group A $91,245 [8] VL Group A $56,250 [5]

Holden HSV Commodore VL-VP Tom is gone but his ‘Walkinshaw’ VL Commodore with its strange shape and colour selection lives on. Values aren’t as strong as once but top cars still make $80,000. Those suited to regular use are likely to cost less than $50,000. The more powerful and better-looking VN Group A has been making gains and $70,000 is feasible for a low-kilometre car. Early VN-VP Clubsports aren’t easy to find, nor are they expensive and some sell below $10,000, as does the VP-based SV91. The VP GTS cost $54,000 new and only 130 were made but not even scarcity has managed to keep the early GTS above $25,000.

VL Group A SS $69,375 [11] VN Group A SS $61,715 [8] VN-VP Clubsport $11,015 [4] VP GTS $17,100 [3]

Holden HSV Commodore/Maloo VR-VT HSV owners’ clubs should be brimming with new members and cars from the 1990s. The market is packed with 1994-99 models and a Clubsport or Maloo with some life left will set you back $10-12,000. Something less common like a VT GTS will require double the outlay but deliver a measure of exclusivity. Early Senators were expensive when new but have lost value at a greater rate than the cheaper Clubsports. Cars in the $12-15,000 price range will have the 215kW engine and be showing less than 100,000 kilometres. Whether to buy or ignore the ‘Yellow Peril’ VS GTS-R continues to puzzle collectors and keep a lid on values.

VR-VS Clubsport $9600 [45] VT Clubsport $10,665 [20] VR-VT GTS $19,125 [19] VS GTS-R $55,800 [5] VR-VS Maloo $10,335 [7] VR-VS Senator $11,225 [24]

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***** HSV VU-Z/Grange HSVs from the early years of this century are following in the collector market footsteps of earlier versions. With a couple of exceptions, buyers are shunning even the scarce models and this is dissuading investors from venturing into HSV territory. Among the bargains available in this age range are luxury-packed Senators at around $15,000 and Clubsports of similar age for a few grand more. Maloos from the early 2000s are easier to find than early ones but slightly more expensive. One bright spot is the prospects for GTS300 and SV sedans which seem entrenched in the over-$30,000 price range and hopefully will climb.

VT-VX GTS/SV300 $35,500 [6] VX-VY Clubsport $19,440 [26] VT-VX Senator $14,015 [20] WH-WK Grange $15,940 [12] VU-Y Maloo $14,620 [14]

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Leyland 1971-83 Back in the days when Australia made more cars than it imported, Leyland built big, medium and small cars [and even trucks] in several factories. Collectors jealously guard P76 survivors and excellent V8 cars manage $15,000, with the Targa Florio above $20,000. Even ‘barn finds’ needing plenty of work have brought $3000-5000. More available but expensive are Californian Mini Mokes that can crack the $20,000 barrier. Early 1.0-litre Mokes are $5000-10,000 cheaper. Local adaptations of the Mini Clubman [S, SS and LS] generally cost $9000-12,000. If you locate one of the rare Clubman GTs expect a price tag above $30,000.

P76 V8 (Exc. Targa Florio) $9175 [5] Moke 1972-83 $15,655 [31] Clubman S $8515 [30] Mini SS/1275LS $9190 [2]

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Disclaimer The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the 2013 Australian Car Buyers Guide, but we do not accept responsibility for any loss or inconvenience caused by errors or omissions.

Values are subject to change due to social, political or economic circumstances within Australia or elsewhere. Rising fuel prices are a factor that will accelerate depreciation of larger-engined cars and enhance demand for economical models.

To determine the value of a specific vehicle, inspection by an appropriately qualified specialist is strongly recommended.

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