ll of us wonder just how much our hot rod is worth. Experience has taught us that our hot rod is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Ideally multiple buyers who possess both the desire and the wallet to own your current ride is optimal. Fellow hot rodder and omnipresent Ron Ceridono tells me that I have failed to learn this process. He tells me my cunning ability to “buy high and sell low” is counterproductive … at least for me.

Recently I had the opportunity to spend several days at the Barrett-Jackson Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. This is the biggie for them and always lives up to the billing. Granted, there are some 1,600 vehicles up for sale and they do sell, but it is the accompanying show that is mind boggling. While I was looking for early hot rod buys, of which there were few, I did notice that there were plenty of Chevys, Fords, and Chryslers that were bringing in big dollars. I can easily say that the high-performance car aftermarket is alive and well. Corvettes are still king among the Bowtie crowd and the “correct” Camaro is highly thought of, while the Ford GT-series of cars are very strong and the Mustang remains popular, and Chrysler late-’60s/early-’70s-era muscle cars are still very strong, especially the Superbirds.

Now, investigate the coffee can you have “rat holed” in the deepest darkest recess of your garage and count your savings. Maybe you have what it takes to bring home one of these iconic hot rods.