More than Muscle: Emerging Trends in the 2019 Car Auction Season

The popular car auction marketplace is changing for 2019. And that’s a good thing.

For as long as I can remember, I was completely uninterested in any and all auction coverage I would come across on TV and print. The Barrett-Jacksons and Mecums of the world just held nothing for me.  And it wasn’t solely rooted in the perception of never being able to afford anything that crept onto those stages. It was because, for the most part, I never wanted to.

To me, these auctions just seemed like a parade of the same six muscle cars rolled out over and over again.

And don’t get me wrong—I can appreciate a nice slice of automotive Americana. But pony cars never really got my blood rushing. And for a good number of Millennials and younger Gen-X’ers, the feeling is mirrored.

In the past, watching a half-hour of auction coverage on the now defunct SPEED Channel yielded a roll call that made the loins of gearhead Boomers quiver: Mustang, ‘Vette, Cuda, Mustang, Challenger, ‘Vette, GTO, Mustang, GTO. But after the third “ultra-limited production” Mopar trotted onto the stage, I’d flip back to a rerun of Frasier.

As I became older, my appreciation did grow for these icons, but they still weren’t my bag. And while American muscle still makes up a large lot portion of these auction, we’re experiencing a bit of a paradigm shift. Browse TV coverage, or even the online results of a Barrett or Mecum and you’ll see quite a variance of automobiles. From quirky European hatchbacks to service industry specific work trucks, the diversity in vehicles, styles, and buyers making their way to auction is a refreshing departure from what was the norm.

So, what can you expect heading into the second half of the 2019 car auction season? Let’s take off the reserve and look at some up and coming segments that are shaking up the bidding block.

90s Classics

Quick, when you hear “RM Sotheby’s” or “Mecum”, what is the first car you think of? A GTO? Fastback Mustang? (Eleanor?) A European hyper-car like a McLaren? A vintage Ferrari 250? All great choices, no doubt. But as the average birth year of an auction buyer creeps up, we’re seeing a new collector car segment take off—the nineties’ greatest import hits.

It seems like yesterday, but the start of the last pre-millennium decade is approaching 30 years old. And it’s hitting that sweet-spot with enthusiasts where the familiarity, nostalgia, and rarity are pushing collectability (and price) up and into focus. The gearhead-to-be who had his/her wall plastered with every color RX-7 imaginable in their youth, is now at the age where they may have some money in their pocket and that dream still in their head.

We all love a tasteful modification, but for this segment, basic is better. Everyone and their brother who had a ‘90s sport compact, bolted, glued, or stapled something purchased from a fledgling eBay into and onto it. So virgin examples that haven’t heard the term “hot lap” uttered from within are unicorns.

The tuner scene in the nineties brought this younger generation great examples of what muscle cars are for the baby boomers. Bone stock examples of Skylines, S2000s, and the holy grail—Supras—are hot at auction right now and show no sign of slowing. Expect sell prices of $30K-$50K for the formers, while the latter… Well, see for yourself.

RestoMods

So, I started off by voicing my unenthusiastic opinion of muscle cars. Well, let me backtrack by presenting to you a muscle sub-category that does pique my interest. While some won’t consider purchasing a vehicle that isn’t COMPLETELY factory correct right down to its lugs, for a growing population, there’s something more important than VIN matching and provenance records.

Classic ‘60s and ‘70s muscle machines may ooze style and machismo, but we’ve come a long way in terms of technology. The RestoMod community of builders and enthusiasts devote themselves to keeping the look of yesteryear, but infusing modern drivability and comforts. And classic muscle is the perfect platform.

This includes swapping drums for discs, upgrading to power steering, and overhauling the suspension for a more diver-friendly experience. Adding automatic windows and a handset-connected head unit also pushes these 50+ year old vehicles forward into the modern age. And while it’s a touchy subject, a larger and more pronounced wheel and tire package often adds the last finishing touch. To some, it’s blasphemy, but for a younger buyer/seller who didn’t necessarily grow up without these niceties, they’re a must-have, and popularity is only on the rise.

Look for vehicles such as late-sixties GTOs, Camaros, ‘Cudas, and Mustangs to hit the auction block, with popular resto-mod examples commonly fetching in the low $30K to $50K range, with more limited trims and production packages easily reaching double that when the gavel drops.

Classic Truck and SUV

Looking at general trends in the auto industry, we find very few as hot as the overlanding and adventure segment. The price that some people are willing to pay for a 25-year-old Land Cruiser with 200K on the dial is curious, but understandable. Affordable/sourceable parts, ease of repair, and general all-around bulletproof construction are hallmarks of older ‘Yotas. And vintage FJ popularity is on the rise with hipsters and hot-rodders alike. If you don’t want to drop $100K+ to source an example from The FJ Company, auctions are a great choice. The going market value for restored examples range from the low $20K range up to the high $30K range.

As far as vintage trucks are concerned, it’s not just older Cruisers and FJs that hit the auction blocks. Look for a wider variety of domestic trucks, as well. Restored and RestoModed ‘60s and ‘70s C10 pickups are highly sought after and collectable—and hot for the 2019 car auction scene.

And if you miss out on that first one at auction, you’ll no doubt get another chance. Forty-six were sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2019 and ten are slated to hit the block in Connecticut, with more to show up. West Coast residents can expect another dozen up for bidding during the Mecum Portland event. And whatever your price range, there’s sure to be a C10 available. Some will be had for well under $20K, with rarer trims and those with exotic powertrains touching 6-figures.

It’s a Jeep Thing

Not to worry Jeepers, you’ll see a little more than run-of-the-mill JKs and JLs up for auction in 2019. As Wranglers continue to take over every corner of America, the desire for standout older models soars to new heights. CJ5s and CJ7s are to be had for the price of a used JK. How about one of a quickly dwindling populations of Wagoneers? Iconic military-issue jeeps? Willys editions? The rare LJ? While the scarcity of older models increases each passing year, inversely, the demand has grown and grown.

More Jeeps are on the auction block than ever, and that abandoned TJ with the weeds tickling the rock rails is now seen as a viable restoration candidate, rather than a rust bucket. In just 5 short years, the amount of Jeeps sold at Barret Jackson Scottsdale has TRIPLED. So, if you’re a sucker for the seven-slot-grille, the auction house is becoming more and more appealing.

So, what can we expect during the summer 2019 car auction season?

How about a little bit of everything! Tune into Mecum coverage on NBC Sports and Barrett-Jackson on the Discovery/Velocity networks. Check your local TV provider for channel information and coverage times for the events taking place below. Or better yet…go! You’ll always see the best-of-the-best showcased on broadcast coverage, but don’t be fooled: There’s a vehicle for just about every budget.

Don’t believe me? Navigate on over to the results from the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event from earlier in the year. You’ll find everything from a $2,200 Oldsmobile Delta to a $1.5 million McLaren Senna. If you’re looking for the rare, unusual, iconic, or timeless, be sure to make a travel stop where the gavel drops.