These Collector Vehicles Are Growing in Value Anymore
When you think of iconic classic cars, you probably associate them with high price tags and collectibility. However, not all classic cars actually fit this mold. In fact, there are plenty of vintage cars out there that don’t hold much value today. Let’s take a closer look at 35 collector cars that aren’t actually collecting much value.
Ford Pinto
The Ford Pinto initially gained popularity for being small and convenient. However, after just a few months, buyers realized that it wasn’t the safest option, as it was prone to fuel tank fires after minor rear-end collisions. Even though it is a collector’s item, the Pinto doesn’t sell for much.
Chevrolet Corvair
The Chevrolet Corvair offered a distinctive design, but it didn’t quite pan out as they had hoped. The rear-engine layout soon proved to be massively unsafe, especially around corners. This led to a very low demand, even as a classic collector's item.
AMC Gremlin
The AMC Gremlin will always be remembered for its bold and quirky design. Even though it was popular initially, it hasn’t retained much value over the years. Many car enthusiasts view it as a novelty instead of a classic car, which has led to a generally low market value.
Triumph TR7
The Triumph TR7 was a British sports car that introduced a new type of styling. It promised a sporty drive, but suffered from a number of mechanical and reliability issues. For this reason, the car hasn’t maintained much value through the years, despite its classic car status.
Fiat X 1/9
The Fiat X 1/9 was a lightweight mid-engine sports car that promised buyers convenience and top-class performance. However, it instead became known for its poor handling abilities and low power output. The car also has frequent maintenance requirements, leading to a low market value.
Ford Thunderbird (Late 70s Models)
Even though the Ford Thunderbirds of the late 70s looked great, they didn’t quite meet the same standards as earlier models when it came to performance. In fact, this particular range was much larger than previous designs, prioritizing comfort and convenience over speed and performance.
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
The VW Karmann Ghia is an undeniably beautiful car. With that being said, it holds a unique place in automotive history, as it is a very reasonably priced collector’s item. The car was overshadowed by models like the Beetle, resulting in low demand and a diminished overall market value.
Pontiac Fiero
The Pontiac Fiero was the very first mass-produced mid-engine sports car in America. Unfortunately, it faced a number of issues, such as frequent overheating and reliability concerns, both of which severely hurt its reputation. As a result, the car garnered low collector interest.
MG MGB
Known for its simple design and pleasant driving experience, the MG MGB was one of the most popular British roadsters ever produced. However, the car has always been widely available, leading to a relatively low collector’s value.
Chevrolet Vega
The Chevrolet Vega was designed to be an economical and compact car. However, its reputation suffered badly as a result of frequent reliability and engine issues. Even though the car had a few innovative design elements, it never quite took off on the collector’s market.
Plymouth Valiant
The Plymouth Valiant was an undeniably practical choice for drivers in the 60s and 70s. It offered a no-frills design, which led to its wide availability and relatively low cost. This also prevented the car from reaching any sort of real value amongst collectors.
Jaguar XJ-S
The Jaguar XJ-S was a classic British luxury car that offered both great looks and performance. However, this came at a high cost. The car was also plagued with frequent mechanical issues, which ultimately deterred buyers. As a result, it never really garnered much attention from collectors.
Cadillac Allante
The Cadillac Allante was the brand's attempt at creating a luxury roadster. While the car offered a unique blend of both American and Italian design, it sold for an incredibly high price, generating a lukewarm reception from everyday drivers and low collector interest.
Buick Reatta
The Buick Reatta was the brand's first attempt at creating a sporty two-seater. However, it never really caught on with buyers - and for good reason. The advanced features on offer were a little bit too ahead of their time, whereas the performance of the car was behind.
Datsun 210
The Datsun 210 was a reliable choice that excelled in terms of fuel efficiency. However, the design also lacked any sort of excitement and ingenuity, which led to a low value on the collectors' market.
Mercury Cougar (80s Models)
The Mercury Cougar in the 80s looked and performed more like a luxury coupe than a muscle car. Its performance was modest, which turned many buyers away. As a result, this particular range of Cougars became less desirable than earlier and later models, leading to a low market value.
Chevrolet Chevette
The Chevrolet Chevette was a small and basic car that didn’t really offer anything special. It was underpowered and unimaginative, resulting in a low demand amongst automotive enthusiasts.
Mazda RX-7 (Series 1)
The very first generation of the Mazda RX-7 offered a unique design, but one that never really took off. It also had extremely high maintenance costs and limited power, which ultimately affected the car's desirability. Even so, the RX-7 Series 1 provides an affordable alternative for those seeking a classic Japanese car.
Ford Fairmont
The Ford Fairmont was an incredibly practical and affordable option for family drivers. However, it also lacked any sort of ingenuity and offered a very basic performance. Nowadays, it is remembered more as a workhorse than a classic vehicle, resulting in a relatively low market value.
Chrysler LeBaron Convertible
The Chrysler LeBaron was a popular luxury car that offered an incredibly comfortable ride. However, it lacked the performance and special features that collectors often look for in a classic car, leading to a low resale value.
Honda CRX (Non-Si Models)
The Honda CRX was a popular compact car, loved for its lightweight build and fuel efficiency. With that being said, the non-Si models lacked the performance that made other models so popular. Because of this, they are often overlooked on the collectors' market.
Pontiac Sunbird
The Pontiac Sunbird was a practical and economical car that offered a very modest performance. It was often outshone by other Pontiac models that featured a bigger engine and more advanced features. In fact, its unassuming design prevented the car from reaching a high value on the collectors' market.
Volvo 240
The Volvo 240 was loved for its sheer reliability, durability, and solid design. However, it was built more for function than style. Even though it developed a bit of a cult following, the 240 was widely available and, therefore, didn’t generate too much hype on the collectors' market.
Nissan 280ZX
The Nissan 280ZX is a comfortable and stylish car. However, it lacks the sporty nature of its predecessors, which ultimately turned away a lot of buyers. Its heavier build and lack of speed made it a bit of a dud to collectors.
Renault Alliance
The Renault Alliance was a European compact car, specifically designed for Americans. While it was praised for its fuel efficiency and practicality, it struggled to build a lasting reputation. It offered a modest performance and didn’t really have any special features to it, making it forgettable to most collectors.
DeLorean DMC-12
While the DeLorean DMC-12 is an undeniably iconic car, it isn’t worth much to collectors. It featured an underpowered engine and poor handling abilities, making for a rather unpleasant ride.
Jaguar E-Type Series III
The Jaguar E-Type Series III was a stunning vehicle, but it was also plagued with a reputation for being unreliable and problematic. The car was also incredibly pricey to repair and maintain, making it a collector's nightmare.
Chevrolet Corvette C4
The Chevrolet Corvette C4 may have turned heads in its day, but it definitely hasn’t aged all too well. With a cheap interior and mediocre performance, the car doesn’t attract too much attention on the secondhand market.
Ford Mustang II
The Mustang II is by far the worst Mustang of all time, as it was designed during the fuel crisis. It featured a weak engine and awkward styling. As a result, collectors often avoid the car at all costs.
Bricklin SV-1
The Bricklin SV-1 had some unique features, but it struggled in just about every department. From performance to reliability, the car was a major miss.
Maserati Biturbo
Although the Biturbo had the badge and the power, it really struggled in terms of reliability. It was an incredibly fragile car that often needed pricey repairs. Despite its classic car label, collectors avoid the Biturbo at all costs.
Yugo GV
The Yugo GV was the cheapest car in the US during the 80s. As you would expect, it battled with reliability issues, mostly as a result of its poor build. Nowadays, the car is a running joke amongst collectors.
Chrysler TC by Maserati
The Chrysler TC was, simply put, an awkward attempt at European-American luxury. It offered a mediocre performance and struggled with confused branding, leading to a lack of interest from everyday drivers and collectors.
Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare
This was meant to be a stylish family car, but it fell massively short. In the end, the Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare became known for its rust and frequent mechanical issues. Even though it is technically a classic car, it garners little attention from collectors.
AMC Pacer
The AMC Pacer may have looked charming and quirky, but it definitely wasn’t a good car. It was incredibly bulky and slow, which turned away a lot of potential buyers. Today, it is more of a cautionary tale than a collector's item.
