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Baby Boomers Driving Profits in the Classic Car Industry
FoxBusiness ^ | Dec. 14 2007 | Kathryn Elizabeth Tuggle

Posted on 12/15/2007 3:32:37 PM PST by Daffynition

NEW YORK -- For many baby boomers, the purr of a vintage hot rod’s engine is music to the ears. And for those who are auto restorers and investors, it also sounds like money in the bank.

Today, the collector-car industry is worth an estimated $20 billion per year, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB). With aging baby boomers fueling the market for beloved convertibles and muscle cars, the industry has grown at a rate of 20% over the past five years -- a rate that KBB expects to continue for the next 10.

The finite supply of cars in the marketplace is driving profits in the car restoration and auction industries, said Richard Lentinello, editor in chief of Hemmings Motor News, the oldest and most-read automotive publication in the United States.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxbusiness.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Hobbies; Travel
KEYWORDS: babyboomers; classiccar; nostalgia
The only car I ever owned ... that I *should* have kept. ;-(


1 posted on 12/15/2007 3:32:40 PM PST by Daffynition
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To: Daffynition
Well, here is the one I DID save, stored for 20 years and am now "restoring".

It's a sobering project, since a new paint job is twice the cost of the car brand new...

This article gives me hope.

2 posted on 12/15/2007 3:44:18 PM PST by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: Publius6961

Now I’m curious ....What are you working on?


3 posted on 12/15/2007 3:52:52 PM PST by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: Daffynition

We’re in! Hubby is restoring a PAIR of ‘68 Vettes. I refer to them as his girlfriends. And it’s just fine with me.


4 posted on 12/15/2007 5:15:05 PM PST by trimom
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To: Daffynition

Article’s right on. At work, we are restoring a ‘70 Ls-6 Chevelle, 2 ‘67 Impala SS 427’s (rare rare rare), a ‘40 Ford street rod, and a ‘63 Plymouth fury 426 max-wedge car.

We just finished a ‘67 Fairlane 427 car, a ‘57 Chevy hardtop, and a ‘63 Corvette 327-375 horse car.

Aside from all these, we’re booked for a couple years.


5 posted on 12/15/2007 5:22:42 PM PST by 383rr (Those who choose security over liberty deserve neither- GUN CONTROL=SLAVERY)
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To: Daffynition

I owned 2 78 Z28’s and a 70 Chevelle SS in my teens and early 20’s and sold each one for around 500 bucks. Now i’m seeing the Camaro’s alone going for at least 15 grand in about the same shape I sold them.
I wish i still had any one of those cars in my garage. I’d be out there every night working on it.


6 posted on 12/16/2007 1:07:24 PM PST by mowowie
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To: Daffynition
My current restoration project It's a 69.
7 posted on 12/16/2007 2:03:32 PM PST by fredhead (What this world needs is a few more Rednecks - Charlie Daniels)
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To: mowowie
Those Chevy muscle cars just shout "America!" ...I love them. Someday you might find a love to labor on in the future! ;)


8 posted on 12/16/2007 4:43:10 PM PST by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: fredhead

My brother had one of a similar vintage. It was great fun to drive. I recall when he bought it, he had a factory installed gasoline heater ... saved our lives in the NE winters. ;)


9 posted on 12/16/2007 4:46:18 PM PST by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: 383rr

I’m glad your business is so good. Preserving Americana ... it’s a good thing. ;)


10 posted on 12/16/2007 4:48:22 PM PST by Daffynition (The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.)
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To: Daffynition

Thats it!! Now excuse me while i go cry for a while.


11 posted on 12/16/2007 7:04:00 PM PST by mowowie
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