Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I know this is controversial amongst those of us looking for bargains, but I think we do not value the roadster, particularly in superb condition, at anything near its value when compared to contemporary roadsters of other brands, many inferior, in the same condition.

Why do we do that?

We love these cars, but we seem not to equate that love with value.

I get that Datsuns were lower priced new, but that is of small consequence when the car becomes a true collectible.

There are several examples of $2,000 cars new, going for $50,000 and more now.

I think a really good Datsun roadster should be put in that league.

What say you?

Bob wrote:
What say you?

ye has said already!

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Bob wrote:Wow.

Does anyone reading this beside me think we may be holding back the value of the Datsun Roadster.

If we, who are supposed to be true Datsun Roadster aficionados, and I believe we are, can not appreciate the true value of the Datsun Roadster, who can?

At some point, and I think we are there, we have to speak up, and claim the Datsun Roadster as a true collectible.

After all, it is a great and timeless sports car, with an excellent race heritage, and a relative few are left in excellent condition.

Sounds collectible to me.

Bob wrote: While the appreciation for the 67.5 may be the high water mark, the appreciation for other roadsters is sure to follow, I think.

We should all feel good about the positive recognition, unless, of course, we are hoping to buy on the cheap.

My guess is the cheap is about to become relative.

You sound very happy with your car. Share the joy with your roadster brethren!!!
We need pics!! And,,,, go to Shasta!!

When cars start selling for really decent prices and the folks here say "now that was a fair price for a great car" instead of "what a rip-off, I can see that the windshield wiper squirters are all wrong and there is a rust flake in the brake master cylinder pocket" THEN we will know that our cars are properly valued.

Cheers
James

Bob the sustainable market value is not usually established by the people who already own and appreciate the item, be it a 311 or the variety of other collectibles with which I've been involved.

We can and have made the case for our cars by virtue of having owned, restored and presented them to the outside world in the 44 years since Datsun stopped making them.

The market valuation is not held back by our not pushing the cars on the market more aggressively. And, as you see with Scott Fisher's nationwide excursion, there are people who enthusiastically play the role of ambassador for our car.

It's a matter of public awareness, publishing coverage, and the ephemeral "fashion" of pack mentality that determines when a car's price starts to take off and reaches prolonged highs.

We need some conscious parallelism in the Roadster market. What do YOU think our cars are worth....huh?

Float me a number.

Depends on if you're buying or selling. For buying, I'm pretty good with the prices. If I'm selling, then they are undervalued. Semi-kidding, but you still can't buy and restore a car and hope to break even, but that's pretty universal among alot of classics. There are those special Roadsters that fetch the big bucks, but the market and especially auctions are a fickle thing.

FairladySPL wrote: It's a matter of public awareness, publishing coverage, and the ephemeral "fashion" of pack mentality that determines when a car's price starts to take off and reaches prolonged highs.

I am in full agreement with Paul.

We need the ad companies to feature our cars in thier advertisements. A lot of new commercials feature classic cars...like Viagra...ah, um, hmmmmm, well, go figure...

Back on point, if ad companies would feature roadsters with young(er) people, making them cool to the millenials, we would see whole new heights for prices (as Paul said).

That said, when my millenial son got out of the Marines & Afghanistan, I offered him one of my cars as a welcome home gift...sorry Dad, not interested.

Madison Avenue please HELP!

Just for the record - if any of you guys think I am going to start paying a royalty to that Professional Hobo - Scott Fisher - you got another think comin'. Not withstanding, his efforts to raise the humble roadster's stature amongst our motoring peers...

jrusso07 wrote:

FairladySPL wrote:
That said, when my millenial son got out of the Marines & Afghanistan, I offered him one of my cars as a welcome home gift...sorry Dad, not interested.

You gave him a greater gift. The future story about the car he "cudda had".

Well said Paul & Joe!

Price appreciation will only result from increased demand.

I was invited to show my car at a major invite only show of Japanese and European tuner cars.. They said that they loved the fact that I had a highly modified old school Japanese car that was not a beater.. Would love to go and show it there, but unfortunately, it is the same weekend as Solvang, and I know which event I would rather do..

But I could have been an ambassador..lol

If I was smart, I would have bought a bunch of roadsters on the cheap before I started this trip...

FairladySPL wrote: We can and have made the case for our cars by virtue of having owned, restored and presented them to the outside world in the 44 years since Datsun stopped making them.

The market valuation is not held back by our not pushing the cars on the market more aggressively. And, as you see with Scott Fisher's nationwide excursion, there are people who enthusiastically play the role of ambassador for our car.

It's a matter of public awareness, publishing coverage, and the ephemeral "fashion" of pack mentality that determines when a car's price starts to take off and reaches prolonged highs.

^I know it's early but I nominate this as Post of the Year. Paul articulates it so well.

Bob wrote: I think we do not value the roadster, particularly in superb condition, at anything near its value

I think we do, and outsiders are as well. A Datsun Roadster won 1st place at the Concourse D' Elegance recently:
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Bob wrote: Why do we do that?

give us an example, besides the 311s.org online community's critique of roadsters popping up for sale.

Bob wrote:We love these cars, but we seem not to equate that love with value.

Of course we do. There are plenty of roadsters advertised and sold for "top dollar", if that's your thing.

Bob wrote:There are several examples of $2,000 cars new, going for $50,000 and more now.
I think a really good Datsun roadster should be put in that league.

Agreed, and within the last decade or so there have been several "really good" roadsters selling for those prices in that "league"

Bob wrote:What say you?

Drive your roadster. Whatever condition it is, just drive it to be seen by the public. Go to a few shows. Do a track day. Race it. Run errands. Just drive it. The classic car community has grown fonder of these cars, I have seen it over the years. That = "price appreciation"

RCMike wrote: But I could have been an ambassador..lol

You are an ambassador Mike...you drive your roadster!

Very very well said Alvin!