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Why did your neighbor drop $80k on a classic muscle car?

Millennials and Generation Z drivers are sparking a muscle car revival and it’s changing the classic car market forever.

Market research predicts the classic car market will grow from $7.2 billion in 2018 to $12.6 billion in 2024. But what’s surprising about the influx of young drivers isn’t how big the market is, it’s who’s buying.

Let’s take a look at why young drivers are buying these expensive hunks of old steel.

You’ll learn:

• Why Millennials & Gen Z Are Buying Classic Muscle Cars
• The Economics of the Muscle Car Revival
• Restomods Are Changing Everything
• Classic Muscle Cars As An Investment
• Where To Buy A Classic Muscle Car

Millennials & Gen Z Are Buying Classic Muscle Cars

Raise your hand if you thought millennials and Gen Z didn’t care about cars.

Ok, now how many of you can see that hand?

60% of Gen Z wants to own a classic car (millennials born in the 90s and Gen Z buyers born 2000-early 2010’s) make up 60% of consumers who plan on owning a classic car. That’s almost double the 31% of baby boomers interested in classic cars.

Here’s why young drivers are buying.

Cars these days are computers on wheels. They’re efficient, sure. But they’re also boring. Boxes on wheels that drive themselves and look identical to the car next to them. Hell, they even drive the same.

Young drivers want something different.

They want cars with personality.

Muscle cars have tons of personality. Vintage Mustangs, Chargers, Camaros, etc. are purely mechanical. Companies like Revology Cars are meeting this demand by creating the Revology Mustang GT Cobra Jet from Revology Cars, which combines classic styling with modern reliability for today’s car purchase decisions.

The Economics Of The Muscle Car Revival

Remember when young people didn’t make any money?

Yeah. Me neither.

But we USED TO buy cars. Right after the great recession in 2008, cars were out of reach for the average young person. They were simple.getting from point A to point B. But with healthy wages these days, buyers are looking elsewhere.

Cars are too expensive and lose value the second you drive them off the lot.

Used classic muscle cars that run and look amazing? They can actually appreciate it.

Here are some fun stats:

Muscle Cars In The Market

• Estimated Classic Cars In Market To Reach 25.9 Billion By 2032
• 32% of Gen Z owners and 30% of millennials already own a classic car.

Buyers with money to burn are choosing classic cars over getting ripped off buying new cars that immediately lose value. Want proof?

Here’s a graph showing how much various muscle car segments are worth today vs. in 2008.

That’s a HUGE shift in where money is spent.

Restomods Are Changing Everything

Okay so you don’t HAVE to drive a glorified propane tank.

Buyers these days can have the best of both worlds with restomods.

Virtually every car on this list can be found with:

• Fuel injection
• Modern suspension & brakes
• Bluetooth/GPS
• Working heat

But you still retain that classic driving feel. The rumble, grip, and connection to the road you get from these cars can’t be replicated with a new car.

Keeping older cars road legal is also easier when you upgrade older parts to modern specs. No more worrying about vapor lock on hot days because your fuel injection went out. No more drum brakes that fade after 3 stops.

Restomods are exactly what younger buyers are looking for.

Growing up with technology their whole lives, these buyers crave authenticity.

Classic Muscle Cars Are An Investment

Wait for it.

Yes, you can buy a car to make money.

But be careful.

Not every car will make you money.

TopperVintage broke down which classic cars will appreciate faster than stock indexes. And while many are surprised to hear old cars can beat the market. There’s a reason certain models shoot up in value while others go nowhere.

First generation Camaros, 1968-1970 Dodge Chargers (&Plymouth ‘Cudas), Mustang Fastbacks are all good buys.

The key is to buy the best example you can afford that retains value. A numbers matching, documented vehicle will always sell for more money vs. a clone build or tribute car.

Also, classic cars are actually fun to own. You can drive them, show them, and post about them on instagram.

You CAN’T do that with your stock portfolio.

Social Media Has Changed The Market

Wait. What do social media sites have to do with classic muscle cars?

Remember when finding a classic car meant digging through the paper’s Craigslist?

Yeah, those days are long gone. Social media has changed the way people buy and enjoy cars.

Instagram and YouTube don’t just allow people to show off their cars, they teach new buyers how to:

• Identify real classics
• Basic maintenance and repair
• Market values & trends
• Restoration techniques

Now, new buyers come to the market educated and know EXACTLY what they want. Carburetors & manual transmissions don’t scare them. They watch YouTube and learn how to fix them themselves.

Car shows have changed too. They used to be glorified parking lots full of smelly old cars. Now, they’re a blend of cars and culture. Music, food, people, and cars.

Younger buyers care about experiences more than possessions. Owning a classic car gives you access to a world wide community.

Buy Smart, And You Don’t Need To Break The Bank

You don’t need to spend six figures buying into the classic market.

Buyers are finding deals on late model years of popular cars, unpopular classics, project cars, and practical four door versions of normally two-door cars.

My advice? Start with something that’s cheap and reliable. A mid-70s nova or dart isn’t going to win any awards but it can teach you how to work on cars AND get you into the classic car community.

Once you’ve gained skills and made connections, trade up to your dream car.

Trust me. Buying a car you can’t afford to maintain is the worst feeling. A car that’s rotting in your garage takes the fun out of restoring.

Remember, these cars are meant to be driven.

The Future Is Bright (& Fast)

Nobody knows what the future holds for these cars.

But electric cars are popping up faster every new car dealers sell. Meaning gas/dieselOnly cars are going to become more rare.

They’re already ending an era of car history. This limited availability will continue to drive value and demand.

Not to mention young buyers aren’t letting their cars collect dust. They’re driving them! Newer buyers keep parts suppliers in business and the hobby alive.

The classic muscle car market is strong. It’s sustainable. And it’s only going to get better.

Time To Buy Your First Classic Muscle Car

If you’re still reading this you’re probably wondering: what car should I buy?

It doesn’t matter.

As long as you’re buying something YOU like that checks off boxes important to you.

Want to learn to restore? Buy something cheap to tear apart.

Buying for investment reasons? Do your research and buy something that WILL go up in value.

Classic muscle cars are returning to popular trends for a reason. They offer excitement that new cars simply can’t.

What’s your next move?