Economic stress creates instant classics

Economic cycles, like history itself, tend to repeat. In the world of cars, the ups and downs of our economy have pushed select types of cars out of production before. These cycles also have ushered in new types of technologies. Historians call it progress.

In the 1970s, for example, two independent trends came together to kill off America’s beloved muscle cars. The combination of more stringent exhaust regulations and escalating insurance rates caused the extinction of cars like the original Hemi Challenger, the Plymouth Superbird, the Mustang Boss 429 and all manner of big-block Corvettes. Today, these are some of the world’s most valuable cars. Muscle cars continue to set records at auctions according to experts such as Dana Mecum from Mecum Auctions.

Earlier this summer at Mecum’s Bloomington Gold auction in Marengo, a 1968 Corvette sold for $300,000. Presently two trends are again shoving a generation of great cars out of production. Like in the 1970s, emissions regulations are at work and this time new legislation targets lower-carbon emissions. The new regulations will likely make big-displacement engines a thing of the past. The second trend is purely economic: The winnowing of brands and nameplates will prove significant to car collectors in future decades.

As you contemplate a new vehicle, ask yourself if you might like the idea of driving an “instant classic” – a car or truck that is cool right now and might be even cooler a few decades from now when they no longer exist.

When pondering the purchase of an instant classic, the biggest considerations are style, performance and rarity. The right mix increases the likelihood of the vehicle retaining more of its original value and – many years down the road – becoming a genuine collectible.

The Solstice Coupe makes the list because it is a one-year wonder with a striking look and great performance that will soon go out of production forever. Because the highest-performance versions tend to be more collectible, choose the turbocharged GXP if you can find one.

As you may know, the Solstice Coupe has relatives: the soft-top Solstice Roadster and its Saturn stable mate, the Sky Roadster.

The high-performance recommendation stands for these models as well: Try to find the GXP for the Solstice and the Red Line version of the Sky. The manufacturing plant that produces the Solstice and Sky closed at the end of July, and even though Saturn has survived as a brand, its salvation is not enough to keep these cars in production.

The Pontiac G8 GXP is another onemodel- year edition that is heading out of production. But the big Poncho has an additional attraction – its 6.2-liter, 403-horsepower V-8. Large-displacement engines are likely to be legislated out of existence as President Obama’s new vehicle standards take hold. Most Pontiac dealers are charging full sticker price for these models because enthusiasts who want the last best Pontiac have been clamoring for them.

Like the GXP, a monster V-8 is the focal point of the Grand Cherokee SRT8 (inset), only in the Jeep it’s a 6.1-liter 425-horsepower HEMI. Given Chrysler’s condition and the new 2011 Grand Cherokee displayed in April at the New York Auto Show, the likelihood of a next-generation SRT8 GC isn’t high. The company’s priorities lie elsewhere, like building electric vehicles and rebadging Fiat Puntos into Dodge Colts.

At the extreme other end of the spectrum, Chrysler inadvertently created two more instant classics: the Aspen and Durango hybrids. These models use top-flight hybrid technology that was co-developed with General Motors, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. They were to be Chrysler’s green flagships, but when the economy collapsed management decided to end production of all Aspen and Durango models, including the hybrid editions. Just a few hundred of these green sport utilities were produced and you may still be able to find one on a dealer’s lot. While they do not have the performance panache of the Cherokee SRT8, they are unique from a technology point of view and their low-production run virtually ensures collectibility.

Another Chrysler that makes the list is the Art Deco-styled Crossfire. According to some sources, more than 200 examples from the 2008 model year are still on dealer lots around the country. Because the coupe was developed during Chrysler’s ownership by Mercedes-Benz, the wild exterior shape rides upon Mercedes-Benz SLK mechanicals sourced from Chrysler’s former German owner. The Crossfire came as a coupe and a convertible.

So this is the list, but be forewarned: It will take decades for these cars to become truly collectible and only those in the best condition will command top dollar down the road. Most examples will simply become used cars.


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