For most of my life cars have been my all consuming interest and hobby. I almost exclusively favoured British cars, especially Rovers. Nevertheless, I have spend a great deal of time around vehicles from most manufacturers. I have been attending antique car shows since the 1970’s. I feel that I have gained a good deal of experience over the years and can usually put a value on most old cars. Please understand, I’m not claiming to be an expert and I would be completely lost around the more exotic vehicles such as Bugatti, Lagonda or Bentleys. However, the common garden varieties that cruised our roads over the years do not often present a problem when placing a value and I usually feel quite confident. Now to today’s story of a rare AMC Pacer for sale here on PEI. The car is in fair condition certainly not mint, body looks good, interior very tired, the car had a strong smell of gas indicating a leak, I immediately thought gas tank ? The asking price $6.500, too expensive in my view but I was asked to call for a friend who was interested in the car. The gas smell was explained away as either a small leak at a line or perhaps it flooded the last time it was started. The owner went on to tell me the car had belonged to an old lady and sat in her garage unused for the last sixteen years. Such stories are common and rarely accurate. A bit like saying I only used the car to go to church on Sundays, and oh look!! there is my lost bible stuck under the back seat!!!! The Pacer owner went on to say the Pacer was very Rare!!!! only one on PEI (how would he know that?). He claimed the antique car price guide valued his car in the USA at $14.000. Wow, should I put a deposit on this incredible bargain for my friend. Of course the answer is no, many cars are rare but that does not automatically increase the value, I would venture a guess that the Yugo is rare, the Chevy Vega is rare, the Lada and skoda’s are rare. But you must ask yourself the reason why they are rare???? Mass produced vehicles with only a few exceptions rarely reach collector status. Successful limited editions, special coach built bodies, convertibles etc are usually destined to become collectible. Remember the old saying if the top comes down the price goes up. Unfortunately the Pacer was mass produced and sales were not successful. The car became know as a gold fish bowl on wheels. So what is the PEI Pacer worth??? IMHO maybe $2000 $3000. Always ask yourself this question, if you were selling it what would you expect to get. The car is rare but it will only appeal to a very small part of the car market and that my friends forces the price way down!!!!! That’s my advice for the week!!!!!!
God Bless and keep reading.
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