bonnie becomming a classic

[01bonneSC]

Can anyone tell me what other 4 door cars, any make/from any year, are collectables? Newer Bonnevilles, talking after they left the full-frame style, will never be a collectable. Too many of them were made. They are just blah even compared to a straight six of any 2 door car from the 60s. Sentimental value people may hold on to, but sentimental value does not carry any monetary value.

[LeSabreUltra]

Can anyone tell me what other 4 door cars, any make/from any year, are collectables?

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[01bonneSC]

Can anyone tell me what other 4 door cars, any make/from any year, are collectables?

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Fine.....

[wake]

OWNED

[lowrider0308]

Actually, he just helped 01BonneSC. A Bonneville is no where near as special as the pictured car. I find this site rather comical when it comes to how *special* a Bonneville/H-Body is. They are great cars, heck my old one hauled a family for half its life and then withstood the beating of two teenage drivers before it was traded in. However, they really are just another full size family sedan. Even the old (like really old) Bonnevilles that do make the collector car auctions are not really all that desired. The price they fetch is not comparable to other vehicles like a Z28, 55 Chevy, ect. If you want to keep it because you like it, I'm all for it. However, I don't think you should expect it to be viewed like a Camaro or to use a Pontiac, a GTO Judge.

[ricosuave420]

yea but you guys are missing the point, what about the technology that the 92 and up bonnevilles had, what pre 1993 sedan and a heads up display, a 6 cd change with a remote, automatic headlights (they turn on when it gets dark out), its got air shockes and adjusts them when someone gets into the car to make sure it is even, a full moonroof, a build in air compressor in the trunk, and yea mine still works, its got dual exhaust with a SUPERCHARGER, did you guys forget about that, and the coolest thing is the rearview mirror that when you flip the switch automatically tints itself and the steering wheel controls, i just think it will become a classic because of all of the advanced technology that was well before its time, o and lets not forget the 3800 engine that you could shoot a hole through and still drive accross the country, its the technology that im trying to get out of this thread

[00Beast]

Think about it this way. Will people really care in 30 years? I doubt it. It's still an American FWD Sedan. 60's bonnevilles could've had the 455, yet they're not collectible. It's not what it has. It's whether people are going to want it, and I don't think they will.

[ricosuave420]

we will see, im deff betting that the bonneville will become a classic car one day, its just a marvel of technology, it might be another american sedan, but how many other american sedans will be able to last as long as the bonnieville, its just a very very very solid car, its not gonna fall apart, i think in combination with the advanced technology and the great quality of the bonneville will one day make it a classic car

[repinS]

There isn't much that's advanced about the Bonneville, especially yours in particular.

It's got an engine dating back to the 1960's.
Supercharging isn't new.
It's got engine control technology on-par for its class.
Computer Command Ride and (Electronic) Transmission Modes? I know Toyota did the trans as early as 1983 and the suspension thing by 1985 in the Supra and Cressida.
It has drum brakes out back.
It's durable and reliable, but not significantly so compared to cars of its time.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Bonneville. But it's not the be-all, end-all.

[ricosuave420]

ok fine you guys have convinced me my boneville is worthless, i will now go home and blow myself up in it

[LeSabreUltra]

Lol.

If you want to expect it to be a car that someday people will turn their heads to see the cool old car go by...I can guarantee you one day your Bonneville will do that. But for your car that will probably be 30-40 years from now.

But I wouldn't expect it to become collectible. GM produced cars far more technologically advanced for their day and far more rare cars in the early 90s. Cars such as the Allante and the Reatta. These cars are hard to find, and certainly are marvels for their time...they put a Bonneville to shame in the level of ingenuity in them...but even they aren't collectible and may very well never be. At least not to a huge degree. Why? Because they aren't now, nor have they ever been lusted after, or icons of an era. This doesn't make them or the Bonneville a bad car, but they will more than likely never be high priced collectibles.

The Bonneville is very much a mainstream car, even in SSEi form. Yes, it's got a lot of neat little technological gadgets on it that weren't necessarily common in a mainstream sedan, but they were quite common in more upscale cars...and its doubtful that even those will become collectible.

If you want to know how your Bonneville will be regarded in the future, pick a year of the Bonneville. When your car is that old it will probably be like that. No year of Bonneville is particularly a collector's item. That doesn't necessarily mean that they won't be appreciated and admired as they grow older. Just don't imagine yourself sitting on a mobile future gold mine.

It's really quite easy to spot what cars are destined to become collectibles in the future, when you stop to think about it. Here are a few examples. The Buick Grand National...a model with low miles and in original condition is likely even today to fetch a very respectable price. Same for the GMC Typhoons/Syclones. Despite the fact that they are both 20 or nearly 20 year old automobiles. Turbocharged Supras...even after only 10 years...will still command a hefty price even in questionable condition. These cars are destined to become collectibles. Same is often true for the 300ZX turbos from Nissan.

For a more modern look, check out the new Skylines...they can't keep them in stock and sell them for ridiculous markups. The Skyline follows a similar pattern to the cars above. No matter how old, no matter what condition, they command a good price. They are destined to become collectibles.

I would imagine that the Ford GT40 and the Corvette ZR1 also stand a good chance of becoming collectibles in the future.

The G8? Time will tell on that one. They didn't particularly fly off the lots but we'll see what their future price bears.

The difference between your Bonneville and these cars is quite simply that it doesn't have the following, nor does it command the price or attention that these cars do, and it never will. I'm not knocking your car, or trying to be disrespectful, but I could probably find a car like yours for sale for only a few thousand dollars without trying very hard...in excellent condition. Can you honestly say that you could do that with any of the cars I mentioned above?

Love it, keep it forever if you want...I plan to do that with my LeSabre...but neither your Bonneville or my French sword will ever be a brick of gold in the garage. I'm content with someday people will look at my car as it goes by just because it's an old car that they don't see very often.
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[01bonneSC]

Steering wheel radio controls were in the Firebird GTAs first.....


And not to mention some had the GN motor in them, i believe they were only the Indy Pace Car package? Im not an Fbody afficiando. But I want a 350/5speed GTA or the turbo 3800 one before I die.


Heres a few examples of a classic in the past 25yrs.....
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Trucks ... 06.c0.m282

[01bonneSC]

Today I was thinking.... Is there a diff between a classic and a collectable?

[Black Pearl]

i just think it will become a classic because of all of the advanced technology that was well before its time, o and lets not forget the 3800 engine that you could shoot a hole through and still drive accross the country, its the technology that im trying to get out of this thread

Rico, stop pouting and ask yourself this, How many cars carry that same tecnhology through today? How many different models have the 3800 both N/A and S/C? The survey says MILLIONS

ok fine you guys have convinced me my boneville is worthless, i will now go home and blow myself up in it

That's a bit dramatic. No one said your ride is worthless, It it worth alot in sentiment to you, This is how we all feel about our cars. The question raised was, Will it be a collectible? This has been answered.

Drive it, Maintain it, Relish the compliments you get in it.

[BonneMe]

I'm with RepinS. It's nothing spectacular, it does it's job, it does it well, and has been a great value in the used market.

It isn't terribly sporty or luxurious, even compared to a same year equivalent. Small features don't amount to much down the line, but drivability, design/styling, and how interesting a car is, usually can make or break it as a classic. An E30/E36 3 series are some of the best driving cars of all time, while not being a maintenance nightmare, they're not as easy as an H body to work on.

[Ol' Timer]

they're not as easy as an H body to work on.

And/Or get someone to work on the car (H-body) for you. Without someone saying to you you "uh...you're going to have to take it to the dealer"

[Ol' Timer]

Today I was thinking.... Is there a diff between a classic and a collectable?

YES!
Rare Cizeta V16 sports car, worth $700,000, seized by federal agents in Orange County



h[url]ttp://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/12/rare-cizeta-v16-sports-car-worth-700000-seized-by-federal-agents-in-orange-county.html[/url]

[01bonneSC]

Today I was thinking.... Is there a diff between a classic and a collectable?

YES!
Rare Cizeta V16 sports car, worth $700,000, seized by federal agents in Orange County



h[url]ttp://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/12/rare-cizeta-v16-sports-car-worth-700000-seized-by-federal-agents-in-orange-county.html[/url]

Point proven....
my 64 Mercury Comet is a classic.... not a collectable, it was orginally a 3 on the tree, 260 V8 car


if it was a 64 Cyclone Mercury Comet...4 speed, 289
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... N%26um%3D1
Then it would be a collectable, trust me.......

[BonneMe]

they're not as easy as an H body to work on.

And/Or get someone to work on the car (H-body) for you. Without someone saying to you you "uh...you're going to have to take it to the dealer"

When I say they're not as easy to work on, there are plenty of shops in even midsized cities that will be around to work on it. Otherwise you just need a few triple square bits, a decent allen and torx set, and it's just like any other car in the end.

Oh and wheel bolts

[Ol' Timer]

Today I was thinking.... Is there a diff between a classic and a collectable?

Here's a post from Kevin in the 1992-1999 section.

Yes, I have 6 and a 2000 GP. I started with the 98 sle then the 98 se then the 02 ssei then the 03 ssei then the 98 sse then the 98 ssei. 3 of the 98's are dark cherry and the 02 and 03 are gray and the 98 ssei is white. I never planned for this to happen it just worked out this way. Always looking for a great deal. I got the sse with 100,000 for $700, the guy had let it go and needed the engine pulled to fix the broken trans bolts and the lim was leaking. The 98 ssei has 76K and I got that for $200.

I would say that after you own 3 or 4 Bonnevilles you might call them Collectibles!