Ever wonder what cars are most frequently searched on the ClassicCars.com Marketplace website? Among the top-20 searches by year, make and model in January 2022 were five 1960s Ford Mustangs, four 1960s Chevrolet Camaros, and a pair of 1960s Chevy Impalas.
That may say more about those searching than about the desirability of those particular vehicles, but they would appear to be the heart of the collector car hobby, at least the heart throbs of those looking to either add to the collection or perhaps to begin one.
Those Mustangs hold the numbers 1,2, 7, 8 and 14 positions among January searches. The Impalas are 4 and 5. The Camaros 3, 15, 18 and 19.
“Muscle and pony cars are, if it’s possible, even more popular than they were 6 months ago,” noted ClassicCars.com‘s market analyst and East Coast editor Andy Reid.
“If you had asked me then if they were still affordable, I would have quickly said yes, but it seems that these cars are now quite seriously on the upswing as far as prices are concerned.
“There are still some good values in this segment of the hobby, but you have to think a bit outside the box to find one that is truly a steal.”
We also track more generic searches, those simply searched by make or model regardless of year. That list is dominated — as usual — by Chevrolet. Mustang is second and Ford third, at least in January. In December 2021, it was Ford second and Mustang third.
The Buick Grand National remains fourth and the Chevy C-10 pickup fifth.
Although there tends to be little change month to month, Pontiac fell out of the top-1o in generic searches and Cadillac moved up into that group.
“The cars from Cadillac are becoming more and more on people’s radar again,” Reid points out. “This is likely to do with the sheer numbers of different cars that are available at every different price point.
“Basically, if you have between $10,000 and $500,000, there is a Cadillac model to add to your garage.”
What about Scouts ?
I have always been I guess what you call a “Car Guy”; had my share of muscle cars and currently have the 95 Vette in the garage that I enjoy on spring and summer cruises; I do live in Ohio so it sits until then. With my growing up with muscle cars and remaining a car guy I recently found myself moving towards the…..OK, get ready, the foreign models; the MGs, the Triumphs and the VWs. Why? Well they are fun to drive, they are much easier to wrench on and…..they fit well in my back shop. Currently working on a VW Karmann Ghia. Also, now don’t take this to badly, when I go to the VW shows, well different breed, ready to talk about your car, even enjoy seeing the somewhat “just to get it home” repairs and ready to share some great stories. So, glad to see there is still an interest in the American Muscle Cars, but I think the move towards the Euro cars is growing.
Those of us who own Cougars benefit in that lots of folks say, “I’ve never seen one before”. I drive the only Cougar (68) in my very populated area while there are tons of Camaros and Mustangs. I get unsolicited offers for the car which is not for sale, because you just don’t see many mint, stock, 68 Cougar XR7s. Sometimes the fewer the number of potential buyers makes for “bigger spenders” as they don’t have the luxury of a big supply.
Love those Cougars, had a HS bud in ’77 that had an orange ’70 Eliminator with a white vinyl top & interior with a stick. Mustangs a** deep, so ya don’t see Cougars coming and going.
That’s why I love my Aussie made ’04 Holden/Pontiac GTO, a 40th Anniversary in TorRed with the no cost Tremec 6spd crunch box. Camaros/TransAms/Mustangs everywhere, but I can count the local (Fargo, ND) ’04-’06 Holden made GTOs on my fingers. And most are garage queens, I USE mine, rain, shine, whenever.
Wish you the joy of a great, underappreciated car, in every way cooler than a Mustang.