It seems like collector vehicle prices are hitting new records every day. With rising demand, massive auction platforms and dwindling inventory, the hikes make sense. However, most of these insane transactions occur at lavish events with the finest examples of rare vehicles. The results of these auctions then trickle into the old-but-maybe-not-collector-car status cars, because their owners think they have gold on their hands. Maybe they do, but it’s likely sentimental. Heck, I have a 1974 Karmann Ghia that my grandfather took in on trade. It’s a $5,000 car to post, priceless to me. In any case, with values of old cars rising, we thought we’d take a look at a few common 1970s collectors and see how they compare to their original price. Note, these MSRPs are approximate and can vary based on options and trim.
1972 Chevrolet Corvette – MSRP $5,533
The 1972 Chevrolet Corvette was one of the last C3 Corvettes with chrome bumpers and a classic styling beloved by enthusiasts. It marked the end of several early‑era design features before regulation‑driven changes. In today’s collector market, solid condition examples of the 1972 Corvette generally sell in the low‑to‑mid‑$30,000s to low‑$40,000s, with outstanding, well‑documented cars often reaching higher prices among classic sports car collectors. Serial numbers can also play a factory. The first Corvette of any year could help boost its value significantly.
1970 Ford Mustang (Base Fastback) – MSRP ~$2,872
When the Ford Mustang went on sale in 1964, it forever changed the automotive landscape. The 1970 Ford Mustang fastback was part of that first generation of Mustangs that helped define the pony car segment, though it came toward the end. Base models were priced around $2,800 when new, though performance variants (Mach 1, Boss 302) cost significantly more. Today, prices vary widely: average retail values for a basic good condition 1970 Mustang are around $40,000 to $60,000 or more, and rare high‑performance versions can fetch significantly more in the collector car market.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T – Approximate MSRP $3,500
While specific factory base prices vary by trim and optional equipment, typical list prices for the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T were around $3,500 in standard form when new. First introduced on September 23, 1969, the first‑generation Challenger R/T became an instant muscle icon with big‑block V8 options like the 440 Six Pack and 426 Hemi, and today these cars are extremely desirable. A well‑preserved 1970 Challenger R/T in excellent condition can command well over $100,000, with rare high‑spec or documented examples sometimes valued at several hundred thousand dollars in top collectible condition.
1975 Honda Civic 2‑Door Hatchback – MSRP $2,859
The 1975 Honda Civic was among the earliest Civics sold in the U.S., as the Honda Civic debuted in 1972 and became known for fuel economy and reliability during the mid‑1970s oil crisis. Base MSRP for a 1975 Civic 2‑door hatchback was roughly $2,859, making it an affordable compact car when new. Today, Civics from this era are appreciated by early Japanese car collectors, but values remain modest compared to muscle cars: good condition examples often trade in the low thousands, but can reach upwards of eight to ten thousand for average cars and a bit more for very clean or rare version. JDM Hondas from this era that are in America may go for even more.
1973 Volkswagen Beetle – MSRP $2,300
Beetles were among the best‑selling imported cars in the U.S. and worldwide during this era, offering simple, reliable transportation. What we do know is that classic 1970s Beetles today sell in a wide range of values depending on condition and model (standard vs. Super Beetle). According to classic valuation data, a 1973 Beetle in average condition commonly trades around $5,000 to nearly $20,000 if in great shape today. This of course translates to lower‑condition cars valued less and fully restored or rare versions sometimes a bit higher in the classic collector space.
Are classic car values rising?
Many view classic cars as an investment, and many certainly can be. But the truth is, people will pay what they’re willing to pay. As the market ebbs and flows, your $50,000 Chevelle could drop by tens of thousands before rebounding, if it does. When it comes to collecting cars, the only recommendation I can make is to do it because you enjoy the car, not to make a buck.
