We just witnessed the train wreck 70 GSX sell for $25K and the 72GS Stage 1 convert train wreck at $15K. No brag intended, I have a totally original 17K miles 68GS400 4spd coupe. I reckon based on 68 prices that I've ever seen it's worth less than $20K and it's in showroom condition. The GS400 was the top model that year, just two years before 1970. What's out of whack in my thinking. Either these cars are at berserk prices or my car in great condition (and many or yours too) are. So here's my question specifically. What's the highest price anybody has ever seen a 1968 GS sell for in any form? Hardtop, convertible, 400, 350, auto, 4spd, colors, etc. Just curious. I'm really scratching my head about these two recent events on ebay.
Value One of the gazillion car mags that I subscribe to had a listing a few months back of cars that sold at R&S and that other big auction house. They showed (I think if I recall correctly) a 69 GS but the sold price was listed as a 68 going for over 29k. I can tell you when I'm done with my 69 GS400 which is an incredible car it'll go up for "auction" and I won't part with it for anything less than 25k and it would be a bargain for someone at that price. Realizing that doesn't answer your question in whole partially because the 70-72's are a bit more appealing in style (to the masses) than the 68-69 cars, which is also what attracted me to the earlier styles. What's also of interest to me is that I sold a #'s matching GSX QQ car a year and a half ago via ebay and it was more complete than that 25k car and it sold for far far less this one. It too was a complete nbrs. matching car and had a great deal of NOS parts included in the deal. At this point I'm going to put my restored #'s matching 70 Stage 1 on ebay in a couple weeks. I've got 14 miles on it since the resto 2 years ago and it's been on jack stands in the basement of the house ever since....with the current state of the market now's the time to close the gap between invested and recovered funds.... Regards, Steve
I think that's where it came from last, yes. Originally a carolina car bought by someone up around there and freshened up, then resold. Anyway, I wasn't really fishing on my own car, just using it as an example. When a non-stick shift GSX wreck that needs everything goes for $25K it doesn't make sense to me that such similar GScars (also low production by the way) in perfect shape are going for far less. It's not just my car, just about everybody on the board is in the same boat.
Check this out '68 GS400 Convt And I was over that way yesterday, but forgot about checking this one out! Looks like it needs rear springs!
The 70 is obviously the peak year in pricing as the advertised HP was the highest and the body appeals to many more people. 71-72 prices tend to follow close behind them since they share the basic body style. 68-69 prices will come up as 70-72 prices continue to rise, but I don't think they will ever be equivalent. Your car definitely has collector appeal since it is a stick. I don't recall seeing a stick 68 coupe sell in the last year or so, but you're probably in the realm of 16-20K if you catch the right guy. 70-72 just get a lot more PR, so consequently they attract more folks who are non-Buick hardcore.
Oddly enough, after seeing these two sell I'm kind of convinced that the cars in really poor condition are appreciating in value faster than the ones that are in top shape. Seems a bit curious to me because I thought the cost to restore a car is also increasing. I understand the relative values of 68-69s vs 70-72s. Was just using the 68GS as an example because it really illustrates the disconnect where a car that just came out of the salvage yard can sell for more than similarly desirable car that looks like it just came out of the showroom. I've also got two 71GS455 convertibles and a 72 Stage1 coupe right now and thought I understood the market for these cars pretty well. Maybe, maybe not. When we get the 71GS455 4spd back together again fully restored I reckon it to be worth in the neighborhood of $50K. There were only 18 4spds made (and 9 more Stage1 convert 4spds). A whopping total of 27 1971 big block 4spd converts. The point is is, it cost $3K about four years ago (all matching numbers car) compared to that 72GS Stage1 Automatic (that's a heck of a lot more common) that just went for $15K and in a comparable rusty mess sort of shape. The idea that mine could auction off now for something like $20K as a total rust bucket blows my mind. Too late, it's in 1000 pieces getting restored on my nickel. I'll try to stop venting on this, but bottom line is that I'm really not convinced that having these cars in such poor shape sell for big bucks is good for thehobby. It's going to price a lot of the current enthusiasts out of the market, at least for the most desirable GS versions. As Forrest Gump would say, "And that's all I have to say about that."
68/9 Cars are dead ...Smart Money goes to 70+ cars. Most decent 68/9 cars go for 15k to 25K. Highest price 69 GS convert I have seen sold for $28k. There are nuts asking 80k for there EBAY cars but they will be asking 30k in a year .We are in a peak and will be laughing at these Krazy prices in a few months.Those that brought a bucket of RUST will be crying real soon! :ball:
I agree wholeheartedly with the above, but found Hagerty Insurance to be woefully uninformed about value re: 1970 Buicks. They stated a GSX was worth 30K and my Stage conv. at 25K. I wanted to bump my convertible stated value to 50K and they wouldn't do it. I told them that's fine as long as you will pay to fix it if damaged, and they stated(in writing) that they would. I still don't feel comfortable with the situation, but don't know who I woould trust to give a fair market eval of it that Hagerty would believe. I suggested they ignore the book and look at recent sales. Dan
Dan - Get an appraisal. They will total you car once it reaches the agreed limit (actually, I believe it's 90% of the limit) and you will be left holding the bag.
Alan, there is some truth to what GSXER has posted. 68-69's, however, are not dead. They will come around- as across the board Buicks are increasing in value. The best 'investment' Buick IS a 1970-1972 Buick GS 455 or Stage. However, best Buick VALUEWISE is the 68-69. I have turned many heads with my 69's due to the rarity in my area. In the past 5 years, I have seen one (1) 68 GS 400 ragtop and one (1) 69 GS 400 ragtop. I HAVE NOT seen a single 1969 GS400 hardtop..... Just my two (2) cents.... Either way, get in your Buick(s) and ENJOY! :3gears:
I just went out to my garage and turned the key in my '68 GS400 Convertible and guess what?? It's not DEAD uzzled: Sure the '70-'72 body style is selling better, but I do not see the big bucks going out for the '65 -'67 or '73 and up GS's either....The only Buick GS's alive are the '70-'72's... :shock:, I Guess o No: Should I scrap my '68 :shock: :beer
I would love to own your 68, in my opinion I think it's one of the coolest cars I've ever seen. If only I could afford it. In fact if I didn't owe some serious cash on my 71 I'd ask you if you wanted to trade. :3gears:
Mike, I think you should scrap it...the 69's look better any way :laugh: I hate my 68 so much it took me 4 years to find "the right one". Now I'm parting out a frame off 70 GS :rant:...I mean Skylark to help fund the 68's return. Sounds like poetic justice to me. Patrick
:laugh: Mike after reading your post I went out to the garage to start my 69. Guess what? It wasn't there! :shock: My wife decided to drive it to the gym for her nightly workout. I guess mine isn't dead either, and is even kinda cool with the "younger" crowd. :laugh:
Better Looking I guess it's all a matter of personal taste, but I definitely like the 68/69 style better. The one thing i like about it is it has a unique look to it. It is not your everyday looking Skylark. The thing that I don't like as much about the 70 Skylark is that to me the front looks too Chevelle-like. Everyone and there mother seems to be driving a 70-72 Chevelle around! :grin:
In the interest of rabble rousing and creating rivalries, how about a match up between the 68-69 vs the 70-72 cars (bracket racing) eating into Thurs or Fri Test & Tune time at Salem. Then we'll see if the 68-69s are dead or not. Sort of like Sox vs Cubs or Mets vs Yankees games. Apologies in advance to those excluded. Figure out who you want to challenge and make your own suggestions. Dang, I'd need to install a tach. I can't hear the right shift points as well as I used to.
Values ARE going up NO Question about it. 65-67 Cars ARE rising as well as the Later Cars IF someone wants or needs an Appraisal I will be going to Salem, and will have all the paperwork Necessary to handle a few while in Ohio. I will be there for about 2 weeks, so I can help those in need. I will need between 1-2 hrs. per car, and would appreciate advanced warning for scheduling. (I'd Like to Play as well). By the way Mike, "D" is for Drag. PLEASE don't get confused with "R" being for Race. :grin: JR
In all fairness to GSXER's comment I was looking for an explination of his statement about 68/69's value being dead - he does own 2 of them afterall I thought perhaps he has tracked and documented their sales in an organized fashion and could offer us some unbiased insight - especially considering that I may purchase a 69 Stage1 Convert 4-speed very shortly While the car does need significant work, it is sound, solid, and all there #'s wise. I certainly dont want to make a "wrong" move investment wise..... Ohhh.....Mike ?? :laugh: :beer :laugh: I nearly spit my dinner across the table when i read your post last nite :beer :laugh:
