Price effect -- AC delete and rolled fenders

[NYNick]

....and I'm outta here.

[Ronnie's.930]

Off topic, but he car color variable brought up in the last few posts gives me the same pause as the knitting party a/c discussion did for Matt; it's definitely not the first time I've heard/read about that, but it seems absolutely silly and absurd to me that a car would be valued higher or lower based upon its paint color (not to be confused with the Confederate flag thread in PARF), but I know this is the case with some buyers. I like certain car colors more than others, so I wouldn't say that it doesn't matter to me, but I laugh at the idea that color "x" makes a car worth more, or makes it special in some way. Paint color is fluff, to me (much like a/c is to other people, however).

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Off topic, but he car color variable brought up in the last few posts gives me the same pause as the knitting party a/c discussion did for Matt; it's definitely not the first time I've heard/read about that, but it seems absolutely silly and absurd to me that a car would be valued higher or lower based upon its paint color (not to be confused with the Confederate flag thread in PARF), but I know this is the case with some buyers. I like certain car colors more than others, so I wouldn't say that it doesn't matter to me, but I laugh at the idea that color "x" makes a car worth more, or makes it special in some way. Paint color is fluff, to me (much like a/c is to other people, however).

Well, maybe not off-topic when discussing what drives value. There are a lot of parameters that affect value, and the parameters are different for enthusiasts and for collectors. Collectors go crazy over low miles. Enthusiasts know that a low-mile garage queen can be a super-PITA to get back on the road. Enthusiasts would probably pick a car with a recently rebuilt transmission and suspension, fresh heads and brakes over a car that spent most of it's life sitting in a garage somewhere. But the money ges with the low miles. Collectors aren't as concerned with title blemishes, if the car looks good. Which is why as the rarity of the car goes up, title issues begin to disappear. Seriously, if you have a beautifully restored 67S, does a rebuilt title mean anything at all? It's still a multi-six-figure car. For enthusiasts, title issues can be a big deal. A theft recovery with vandalism doesn't hurt the underlying car at all. That's a value opportunity. A rear-ender where the motor gets pushed under the rear seat is a "I'm not going to buy this car for love or money". Collectors want the car to be OEM stock, period. MAYBE period correct seats or stereo. All these factors are driving current pricing. Some enthusiast stuff does get through. ROW cars, sunroof delete, common upgrades that most folks agree are a benefit - all those things can make a particular car more attractive (thus more valuable) to an enthusiast. But as these cars appreciate, and folks can only afford to have one at a time, the collector issues will start to rise to the surface, because if you need to sell, it's harder if your car is "personalized" too much. Flachtbau, anyone? If it's harder to sell, that often means a suppression of asking or selling price. It has nothing to do with personal preference, and everything to do with market forces.

[Matt Monson]

I would add that often enthusiast owners don't care about a branded title because it gives them license to personalize the car. That's the story on my new to me '74. Theft recovery S title that was converted to flachbau a couple decades ago. The previous owner took that S title as the open door to go Miami Vice on it. And I'm taking that same not-original s-title discount to make it mine. The S title has players at the top and bottom of the market but not often in the middle.

[MBAtarga]

I'd suggest No AC is a deal breaker for those that live in the South. It might be a hindrance to others that are buying the car and don't need the AC but consider that if they plan/choose to sell the car later on (years), it will be a deterrent to some buyers.

[Flashoir]

I'm based in Dubai and just bought a '74 Carrera that the previous owner stripped out to go racing (i.e. no AC). It's not been below 100 here for 2 months now. I don't really care, I'm simply not going to be driving it for a few months of the year.....

Different strokes for different folks. Someone said it earlier, AC shouldn't really impact price, but it naturally reduces the pool of potential buyers.