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The ‘Real McCoy’ on affordable future Aussie Muscle Car Classics

We all know that for the most part car values go in one direction and it’s generally down. However there are exceptions and I believe that it is possible to make money by buying the right car. About five years ago I was changing jobs and step


We all know that for the most part car values go in one direction and it’s generally down. However there are exceptions and I believe that it is possible to make money by buying the right car.

About five years ago I was changing jobs and stepping out of a company supplied car. After considering a number of different scenarios, I found myself left with a choice of two types of vehicle. One I would enjoy driving that was reasonably fuel efficient and still fun to punt on a Sunday morning or alternatively, a car that I might actually turn a profit on. I could finally put to the test my theory that it is possible to buy a car in any market no matter how volatile and make a profit come sale time.

In the end it came down to a choice between two cars, a new Mazda MX5 or something right out of left-field - the infamous plastic fantastic Walkinshaw VL Group A Commodore. I chose the MX5, fuel efficient and fun.

Move forward five years or so and the "Battle Star Galactica" Walkinshaw has easily doubled if not tripled in value. Watching a few go under the hammer recently has only cemented in my mind the fact that I should have had the intestinal fortitude to take the plunge and benefit from my theory. The MX5 has been a wonderful car but it is now worth considerably less than what I paid for it. Damn...

It is a crystal ball story that will no doubt be told time and time again and in an age when GTHO Falcons are fetching close to the magic million mark, it makes sense that later model ‘cars of interest’ take their place in the collectible Australian muscle car line-up.

While I have enjoyed the little MX5 over the last 5 years, I do regret not buying the ‘Walkie’ when I had the chance. It is not just about the opportunity to profit, it has as much to do with owning a piece of our motoring heritage, something special enough that you would consider keeping it in the family and passing it down through the generations.

Though some of you may scoff, Australia does have a performance car heritage of which to be proud.

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