COBRA and all car PRICE GUIDE *TO ALL

[CSX 4027]

At the Monterey Historics, I had the pleasure of meeting David Kinney, one of the most obsessed high ranking auto appraisers in the business. He also writes and is associated with Keith Martin of Sports Car Market. While there are many guidebooks published on values, none compare to the 3 issues per year book that David publishes.
He is way into the minutia of models and for example, disects The C O B R A in the following ways by serial number
260 W&S
289 W&S
289 R&P
427 Street w 427
427 Street W 428
427 Comp
427 S/C
Daytona Coupe
COB
COX
MK IV
Completion Cars
CSX 4000 Series Glass and Alloy

***If you love cars and follow their values from A-Z, this is a must.

www.carsthatmatter.com

$40 for 3 issues per year and internet access or $20 per issue is a bargain any way you slice it. You won't believe the in depth coverage.

[What'saCobra?]

Perhaps his guidebooks are incomparable, but i find it difficult to believe he breaks down 289's only into 260/289's and W&S/R&P. Quite a few 289 R&P's are worth values ranging from the 300's to several millions, since some are race cars and contain various illustrious histories.

Those would certainly justify a special class, not unlike the various 427 Comp's.

Further, a knowledgable analyst would also note and distinguish that there have been "various" sources of "correct" completion cars: AC (COB/COX/CSX), McCluskey (CSX), Shelby (CSX), etc. All of which are quite differently sourced and have different and valid documentation trails.

Perhaps the fiberglas spec. race-cars ought to be unique.

Even the MKIV has important distinguishing and value variances occuring along its production curve. For instance, the Lightweights (early/later) are quite different and regularly race in Europe. Some Lightweights were near-MKIII's.

But, perhaps i am miss-reading the meaning of minutia and values.

Just my HO.

[CSX 4027]

Feel free to e-mail him your comments.

[What'saCobra?]

Thanks, but not for free i won't.

In general, i am not much of a consumer of so-called "pricing" data, from anyone but sellers i know or buyers i know. IMHFO, "analysts", like "auctioneers", are interested in big market jumps and shilling customer's and their own car positions.

Your opinion is of value to me, so perhaps i should accept that this fellow isn't involved in such dealings.

But, most i have met have been involved in the run-up of prices far beyond rational notions at some time or other and armed with insider knowledge get out before it drops and hurts un-/under- or mis-informed "investor" enthusiasts.

In the end, this side of the "investment enthusiasm" market keeps cars in garages in the "best of times", made of cement blocks w/RE, away from the public (with some important exceptions, like the Shelby Collection near Boulder CO).

Of course, who would turn-down a significant up-tick in values if offered and the funds needed? Perhaps this fellow you recommend will keep someone from giving-away value. But, as i say, even the mere existence of these "market" magazines come and go as the markets wax and wane.

NO ONE has correctly forecasted these huge increases in prices. Nor is anyone forecasting any crashes. But..

These are fairly tricky times in several markets that are usually quite stable. These prices may not stay, particularly given the propensity of many "gamblers" in our market to bet on the come.

Few market guides discuss this rather salient point and certainly not with probabilities and expected values. Most of us just buy what we want and can, a very reasonable strategy for fun and pride.

i will take a look at his guide and thank you for the reference.

[CSX 4027]

I just felt it was a neat very complete detailed guide for the enthusiast.
The book doesn't write checks for cars and people don't write checks based on the book but, it is a combination of sale results, experience, and educated opinions that has some entertainment value for conversation.

As for predicting the future and quarterbacking for the events of the past, I haven't met those that successfully predicted the stock market, real estate market, or US dollar values either.

..........it's just a very thorough neat book to have some fun with.
That's really it.

[Don]

I subscribed, earlier this week , to the Cars That Matter Price guide for two reasons:

* Potential value of my 1969 AMX, 390/315HP, 4-speed, and Go-Pac. The AMX was a full restoration and received a JR 1st at the AACA Fall Meet in Hershey PA. Due to use, I would rate the AMX as a #2, + or -

* A relative is looking for a low mileage, standard shift excellent condition, C5 Corvette Convertible

The AMX does not have the popularity, collector demand or value as other muscle cars, hence auction prices are rarely available. The most recent edition of Hemmings Muscle Machines just happen to publish a price guide for the AMX
Low: $13,000
Average: $23,000
High: $35,000
Using these reference prices, for a #2 fully restored 1969 AMX, probably a book value of $30,000, + or -.

From Cars That Matter:
#4 $28,900
#3 $42,500
#2 $52,800
#1 $69.000
To these values add + 20%, print edition, for the GoPac option, which I have on my AMX. Potentially, a book value of $57,000 for a #2 . The web site indicates a + 10% for the GoPac option which I used.

Comparing the Hemmings and Cars book values, a difference of $27,000 or approx 55%. The Hemmings book value is more realistic, even then if a serious buyer could be found for the AMX. The Corvette data stopped at 1996, which excludes the yearly data on the C5 Model. I did not have a current edition of Old Cars Weekly Price Guide, would have been nice as a 3rd source

Both Hemnmings and Cars indicate the qualifiers, sources, etc., etc., regarding the book values: Cars comment from their web site:

Launched summer 2006, Cars That Matter is an entirely new idea in automotive value guides — accurate, up to date and without pricing bias or prejudice. Cars That Matter is a value guide written by experts. Cars That Matter is not afraid to adjust values — up or down — according to true market trends and using actual sales. Cars That Matter's goal is to be the only price guide that you will ever use in buying or selling your collectible, special interest or classic car. Period.

[A-Snake]

Just for grins, here is a third value source, Sports Car Market Pocket Price Guide. 2007 Edition
AMX 68-70 Buy/sell range
Low buy $19,000
High sell $32,000
Add 30% for 390
Add 10% for Go Pack, Big Bad Colors or Shadow Mask paint.
Deduct 20% for automatic, 20% for '68
Thus your can be between $26,600 and $44,800 unless it's an auto or has the Big Bad Color or Shadow Paint

[Don]

A-Snake..........thanks

Just difficult to accept that an AMX with the 390, 4-speed and Go-Pac " might " have a book value as high as $44,000 for a #1. Will be interesting to see if there are any future auction prices actually paid that approach this number.

The AMX has been a fun car, especially when asked ' What happened to the back seat "