Looking back through the Unique Cars classifieds...
Nissan Skyline GTS2 – Advertised August 2003
R31 Skylines were the kind of car your granddad drove to bowls and even when Nissan’s Special Vehicles Division built a couple of ripper derivatives, there wasn’t a big market for them. Just 200 each of the white GTS1 and red GTS2 – both with white wheels – were built but even then they weren’t rushing out of dealer doors. Today, as in 2003 when this car found its way to market at an enticing $12,000, low kilometres define the most desirable of SVD Skylines and cars that have covered more than 100,000 will battle to generate significant money.
Then: $12,000. Now: $30,000-35,000
VL HSV Group A – Advertised January 2005
During the mid-noughties, as performance car prices began to boom, the money available for Phase III GT-HOs and any form of A9X exploded but big-spending collectors steadfastly ignored anything carrying an HSV badge. Mid-way through 2005, the average price of a Group A Walkinshaw had barely broached $35,000, so this car was well placed to sell. Two years later, its buyer might have cashed out for $70-80,000 and then sat back smugly for a decade as values drifted towards $60,000. They wouldn’t be all that pleased today, however.
Then: $34,000. Now: $180,000-200,000
Pontiac GTO – Advertised August 1996
As some owners have discovered, changes made years ago when iconic cars weren’t worth very much can now hamper values. This GTO, which probably arrived with a ‘389’ motor not a ‘350’, was of necessity converted to RHD and suffered along with other muscle cars in a tightish 1990s market. As demand grew and the price of top examples soared, the money available for any kind of early GTO moved at a slower rate and that remains the case. Consider the recent sale of an early Tempest GTO, also RHD and in Australia since new, guided at $80-100,000 but reaching a more realistic $73,000.
Then: $12,500. Now: $70,000-75,000
Reader’s One That Got Away
1964 FORD THUNDERBOLT
In the late ‘90s I was after a new classic to fill the space in my garage after selling my much loved HDT VK Group A/3. I was in the market for something special and test-drove a genuine 427-powered Fairlane Thunderbolt and a manual ‘65 Shelby GT350-H in the USA. I ended up purchasing the Shelby as the Thunderbolt was a monster on the street, but I still think about that Thunderbolt at times!
Uncle Phil