The collector car market is showing clear signs of stabilization after several years of dramatic swings. According to the latest Hagerty Price Guide, most classic vehicles are holding flat in value, while the share of models gaining appreciation has dropped to one of the lowest points in recent history.
Hagerty’s quarterly guide tracks prices for nearly 40,000 cars and trucks—and nearly 50,000 vehicles when motorcycles are included—spanning everything from early Fords to modern supercars. The newest data confirms what many market watchers have suspected since late 2023: the frenzied pace of post-pandemic price growth has cooled, and the market is returning to a more balanced rhythm.
Historically, the Hagerty Price Guide shows that most vehicles stay flat between updates, but recent quarters have seen a notable increase in declines. The current period ranks as the second-lowest ever for vehicles gaining value, with almost one-fifth of tracked cars posting price drops. That figure follows a broader correction that began late last year, when more than a quarter of collectible models lost ground.
The shifting trends reveal changing buyer preferences. Vehicles from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s—once considered too modern for the collector spotlight—continue to rise in value. Jeep Grand Cherokees from the 1990s, Fox-body Ford Mustangs, late-20th-century F-Series pickups, and classic Volkswagen Beetles are among the current winners. In contrast, many established mid-century classics, including Hudsons, Corvairs, and British roadsters from MG and Triumph, have softened.
While the market’s cooling trend limits quick-profit opportunities, it presents a new environment for enthusiasts. With fewer bidding wars and more stable pricing, collectors focused on enjoyment rather than speculation may find better opportunities ahead. In short, the collector car world isn’t collapsing—it’s normalizing after a historic surge.
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