How Much Does History of A Car Add In Value?

[WE2Regal]

Seeing one of the original methanol test cars in the for sale section, it reminded me of a car I saw recently. A local man purchased a car from the government he wanted me to look at and tell him what I thought it was worth. I think it was a 69 or 70 Ford Galaxie XL fastback. A pretty rare example with bucket seats and console, 429 w/C6 auto and a 9 inch posi rearend. Not my cup of tea, but there are those who love those big cars. Galaxies are not extremely valuable, but this XL fastback is probably better than the average Galaxie. It was originally purchased by the US government for use for running some type of high speed tests on airport runways. Still had a NASA gate pass in the window. The guy told me the car had been shipped to other countries for tests during it's lifetime. It also still had various emergency lights installed outside. The decal on the doors had been spray painted over before sale, but the buyer managed to remove the paint and make a template for future restoration. It had been filled with all sorts of test equipment at one time and still bore the remnants inside. The passenger bucket seat was removed and equipment had been placed there. The rear seat was removed and replaced with a "jump seat" for a passenger in the middle to sit higher while running the tests. It had a roll bar installed.

The suspension was the most interesting part. The whole car had a lowered look. It appeared like someone from a race car team designed it. I have only seen this type of suspension used in old NASCAR stock cars. The front suspension had been relocated and had what appeared to stock car type tubular control arms. The rear suspension was a truck arm type suspension. And this was obviously done a long time ago! The white steel "wagon" wheels were attached with the biggest lugs I have ever seen. The frame was even reinforced. Probably everything designed by some engineer back in the day would be my guess. A very interesting car, but does this history make this Galaxie any more valuable than the average used Galaxie?

If the car had been a factory built test car, it no doubt would be more valuable. But a "beat on" test car with no real historical significance? While this particular car had relatively low miles, it still needed a complete restoration. In the end, I think it was just another used car with little or no value added by it's previous usage. I would still love to know who the builder was, though. I wouldn't be surprised to learn the mods were farmed out to an actual race team somewhere way back then.

 

[SGRIM]

I have one of Fred Vetters old cars... I think it adds quite a bit

 

[charlief1]

The only car that I know of that was used by the EPA for emision testing at airports was a superbird. It was written up in one of the car mags years ago. They interviewed the driver and had the documetation as well as some clips of the films he shot driving behind jets.

The documented history of the car can make or break one depending on what that documetation is.

 

[chopped39]

I talked to a guy at a car show about 20 years ago that worked for Ford from the late 60's to the mid 80's.
He had a early 70's Ltd that was a hybrid eletric /gas. I remember him telling me how when you stop the motors would charge the batteries. I remember all the batteries in the trunk. He told me the government gave chevy ,ford and chrysler money to build hybrids and it was a flop because the battery technology back then was not good enough. I wonder if he is still driving it.

 

[Dennis Kirban]

Just saw this thread.....

Any history need not be factory done if the seller has proof it is bound to catch someones interest and make it more valuable. For example in our world the turbo world many of you know we had Molly who did the GN project (exterior look) for GM autopgraph trunk ID labels at two of our events over the years. At the time he did htis it was no big deal and maybe it hasn't yet become anything special but since fewer than 200 were ever autographed and since Molly has passed away those cars are unique among the group. Some Syclone owner out there has my old Syclone and I have proof it was the actual cover truck on car and driver and was a test vehicle form GMC......

I personally know a GTO owner who years ago bought a beat up 1966 GTO. I even sold him some body parts for it. This was around the mid 1980s before values really kicked in. Not sure how it came about but he did some research with the VIn number turned out when this car was new it was a well campaigned race car and he has since then restored it.

People gravitate to anything that is unique or rare and with the internet all you need is two people that for whatever reason want that certain car that has that unique piece of history connected to something or somebody.

I remember another incident many years customer of mine told me about a gold colored 1965 GTO that was different lookign he had a chance to buy it and turned it down....today it would take six figures to buy that car....I am referring to the Hurst/Pontiac 1965 GTO giveway car.

So, you never know what lies behind the history until you research it....

denniskirban@yahoo.com

 

[3-5.0]

I've seen a few GN's in movies,I'd like to know if some are still on the road. Would I pay more money for Sam Elliotts movie GN? probabably not but it'd be neat conversation when talking to somebody about your car.

 

[WE2Regal]

The only car that I know of that was used by the EPA for emision testing at airports was a superbird. It was written up in one of the car mags years ago. They interviewed the driver and had the documetation as well as some clips of the films he shot driving behind jets.

The documented history of the car can make or break one depending on what that documetation is.

The gentleman with the Galaxie had no idea what type of tests were being performed. I never thought about it being an EPA car. One thing for sure, whoever built it wanted it to stay glued to the ground at high speed. They sure could've picked a more aerodynamic car!

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

I went with my Dad to look at(interested in buying) what was a pile of rust that use to be a 1964 impala the only thing on this car that was good was the cowl tag and paper work anyways the guy wanted a LOT of money, it was in such bad shape that we didn't even make an offer. The only thing the seller kept pushing was that the car was at one time owned by an actor and documents and history with pictures and autographs. While we where talking to the seller another buyer shows up looks over the pile of rust and asked us if we were going to move on the car or not we told the guy no. Anyway the guy looks over the car and says that he is most likely not making a move on it either as it was too far gone. BUT once he heard the history about the car and saw the paper work. He paid the sellers asking price with out any type negotiating. In case i forgot to mention NOTHING was good on this car. Out of pure curiosity we stuck around to see them load the car onto a flat bed. They had to put a bunch of dollies (furniture dollies) under the car and tie a big tow strap around the car in order to load it onto the flatbed. Most of the car was left behind on the ground and was swept into a garbage can.

Bottom line people eat that ship up BIG TIME.

 

[Grumpy]

It also depends on the car.. A dark brown Pinto/Vega with an automatic and power door locks BUT it was once owned by bla bla bla wouldn't mean a damm thing to me.

 

[RIFF RAFF]

i bought a corvette that was given to head coach jimmy johnson when he was with the dallas cowboys .. i sold it to a big cowboys fan for a nice profit .. with pictures and signature. depends on the car ..my gnx clone was a U.S. MARSHALL'S car i dont think that means chit ...

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

i bought a corvette that was given to head coach jimmy johnson when he was with the dallas cowboys .. i sold it to a big cowboys fan for a nice profit .. with pictures and signature. depends on the car ..my gnx clone was a U.S. MARSHALL'S car i dont think that means chit ...

with a little spin $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ the Marshall executed a few jobs while driving the car????? so its the only GN use by the U.S. Marshalls. HHMMMM

 

[RIFF RAFF]

with a little spin $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ the Marshall executed a few jobs while driving the car????? so its the only GN use by the U.S. Marshalls. HHMMMM

THE U.S. MARSHALL SERVICE DID NOT OWN THE CAR .. A PERSON THAT WAS A US MARSHALL OWNED THE CAR .. THATS WHY IT DONT MEAN CHIT ...LOL

 

[WE2Regal]

I think what he meant was to "spin" the story into a sale's pitch and make it sound as if it was to used apprehend criminals in an effort to up the value. I think that seems to be what we are seeing more often with some cars on the market. People are trying to use interesting stories to make their cars seem more valuable. Sometimes they are more valuable because of their history. Sometimes it's just nothing more than a good story.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

THE U.S. MARSHALL SERVICE DID NOT OWN THE CAR .. A PERSON THAT WAS A US MARSHALL OWNED THE CAR .. THATS WHY IT DONT MEAN CHIT ...LOL

I think what he meant was to "spin" the story into a sale's pitch and make it sound as if it was to used apprehend criminals in an effort to up the value. I think that seems to be what we are seeing more often with some cars on the market. People are trying to use interesting stories to make their cars seem more valuable. Sometimes they are more valuable because of their history. Sometimes it's just nothing more than a good story.

thanks Regal

Come Oil Man keep up I am trying to help BTW.
Fact - A U.S Marshall owned it so there for it was A U.S Marshall Vehicle.

 

[RIFF RAFF]

thanks Regal

Come Oil Man keep up I am trying to help BTW.
Fact - A U.S Marshall owned it so there for it was A U.S Marshall Vehicle.

YA BUT IM AN HONEST GUY .. AND I WILL NEVER SELL IT

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

YA BUT IM AN HONEST GUY .. AND I WILL NEVER SELL IT

i am with you 100%

 

[Grumpy]

YA BUT IM AN HONEST GUY .. AND I WILL NEVER SELL IT

NEVER say NEVER !!! Been there an done it.. Regrets ??? NOPE !!