Cliff Chambers takes a look back through the Unique Cars classifieds...
Ford Mustang II Cobra – Advertised June 2000
Australians almost completely lost their desire to own a Mustang once the restyled and underpowered Mustang II was launched. Never mind that in the USA the ‘eco-Stang’ easily outsold the previous design, it looked frumpy and to Australian eyes wasn’t desirable at all. A few of these Cobra models did come in via adventurous dealers during the 1970s but they didn’t excite collectors very much. Not even the arrival via Ford Australia in 2001 of ‘official’ Cobra Mustangs could bolster prices being achieved by early ones and $12,500 had quite likely been a struggle.
Then: $12,500. Now: $25,000
HSV VN Clubsport – Advertised April 2000
We suspect that unless it had covered only a few kilometres during its first decade of existence, this VN Clubbie at $18,500 would have taken some time to sell. When new these cars had been listed at $33,320 and dealers would have been very unlikely by 2000 to be offering more than $12,000 as a trade-in.
Only 410 of the VN version were sold yet scarcity had little influence on value. Even today, almost 30 years after introduction, these early Clubsports need to be in outstanding condition to consistently make more than their original price.
Then: $18,500. Now: $40,000-45,000
1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee – Advertised February 2007
The Super Bee is not a model to be very often found fluttering across the Australian landscape and cars like this well-preserved 1970 model remain scarce.
The situation eases a bit should you have the opportunity to do your Mopar shopping in the Land Where Dodge Was Born but quality cars are still on the scarce side. Should you find a dealer or auction house with an excellent 383 auto Super Bee in stock it will be unlikely to leave unless at least US $40,000 changes hands. Stumble on one in the local market and a numbers-matching car will be 50 per cent higher than that.
Then: 48,000. Now: $55,000-60,000
Reader’s One That Got Away:
1955 Packard Clipper – Steven Drews, Underwood, Qld
I would visit Melbourne frequently for business and eveytime I would catch a taxi through the CBD I would see a shiny black and white Clipper sitting in a dealer lot! The sparkling chrome and stainless would always catch my eye, I still wish I had stopped to have a look at the Packard. The dealer and the Clipper are long gone making way for another drive through coffee shop. Where did my dream car go?
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