The collector car market is a strange thing to me. I watch what is popular rise, I see what was once popular fade, and I see speculators and those trying to move ahead of the wave snapping up what they perceive to be the “next big thing”, which right now is 1980s nostalgia and early 1990s JDM forbidden fruit. We’ve seen Grand Wagoneers go for ludicrous money. I’ve seen a 1989 Town Car sell on the block for $25,000. Did they cost that much new?!
For this round of our sudden death, pick one question, we set a lofty budget: $350,000. That’s supercar money with plenty left over, but at auction, that’s a pittance, really. We picked two cars…one, an icon of the Sixties Supercar era, all brawn, all badass; the other, a shape that melts the hardest to please, an engine that will slam you in the back like a semi truck, and a pedigree that cannot be argued with no matter how much you think you can. Pick one. Good luck!
1. 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi, $350,000
Behold, muscle car geeks, at one of the top-tier models in fine form. Hate the color all you like, but there is no denying that the moment you side-step the clutch and let that BMF under the hood go full-tilt boogie, that you will understand why the Hemi is so revered. The Challenger was supposed to be the more mature of the E-body cars, but just how “mature” can one be when a flick of the steering wheel and a boot full of throttle will cause you to legitimately sign your name on the asphalt? This is an example of the car that has kept a high value for decades, a benchmark to measure the second option to when it comes to collector car status…and the fun quotient. Sure, kicking the snot out of it will freak out collectors who learn of such hoon activity. But you just can’t let it sit, doing nothing, can you?
The phrase “instant icon” is normally used by marketing agents to try to make the latest and greatest somehow become even more great. Most times, it’s kitschy. But in the case of the Ford GT of the mid-2000s, it couldn’t have been more appropriate. Celebrating Ford’s 100th anniversary in style and bringing the theme of the original GT-40 LeMans racers into a more modern age, Ford hit a home run. You could buy one new for about $150,000, and if you did, your return on investment was better than any investment you made unless you held Microsoft stock since the late 1970s. The ultimate bonus? It is daily-driver friendly. The engine isn’t finicky. The car is comfortable to cruise around town in. Where do you lose, again?
As a blue oval fan I hate to say it, but I would have to pick the Challenger . Partly because it was a car from my youth (class of ‘74) and mostly because I just think it looks better than the GT. It has the “ in your face, dare me” vibe.
As a life long “Mopar or no car” guy, with a proven pedigree to back that up, I’d take the Ford GT. I lived in the ’70’s. My dad had a ’67 Hemi 4-speed GTX, my mom drove a ’67 440 GTX, my brother had a ’68 Road Runner AND a Superbird, and I drove a ’69 factory 383 Dart GTS on the street, and a ’64 max wedge super stocker on the track, while my brother had a ’65 990 hemi car before going into pro stock with a hemi Duster. I’d go for the car that I could reasonably expect to drive daily, and the Challenger just isn’t it.
The Ford GT without a question. The gt is a beast of a car that can take on Ferrari’s and win.
I fell in love with the GT40 when it first came out. I would be so freakn’ happy to have that Gen 1.
HEMI, End of discussion
Dodge Challenger, because I always wanted a Hemi, 4 speed car.
Hemi Challenger.
Hemi Challenger. No question. For the simple fact that harkens for the era of American brutality in automobiles. While the Europeans were worrying about refinement and elegance, American car makers were about hitting with a baseball bat to the skull.
Easy. Challenger. There’s a reason the value of them has stayed so high.
Challenger by a mile!
Think of it this way, the Challenger is 50 years old and every single part can be repaired/replaced as needed, and with readily available tools. The GT40 is only 14 years old, and already it’s probably a dealer-only service car.
ford gt
GT all day every day, id prefer it over the current GT as well
For me the Ford GT … have to have A/C.
Have been in the seat of both the hemi with poor brakes and no tires looks cool but is not–a good new Challenger can smear it and if you brave it in the Hemi it will not stop, turn, or do anything nice at speed
The Ford GT is a turn the key go to the store car that is a delight to drive–it WILL answer the helm and how!
What is a car? speed, handling, braking and looks They both have the looks but only one has the rest The new Hemi cars prove how really over blown the original Hemi legend is–Now in a real race car the Hemi is a wonder but in that green overpriced no braking handling plastic interior “legend” it is NOT original Hemis ARE investment legends to be sure
Hemi Challenger and it’s not even close.
05-06 Ford GT is the best looking car of my lifetime. It is my dream car. I love old school muscle but I’ll take the GT.
GT all the way
I’ll go with Ken Miles!!!! He knew a thing or 2.
I’ll go with Ken Miles!!!! He knew a thing or 2.
I’m a Mopar guy through and through. I bracket race a 69 Dart. But, you can get in that GT and take it on a lengthy road trip while enjoying monster speed, good economy, and genuine comfort.
However, for that same $350k, spent judiciously, I could get a decent running A/SA Hemi Challenger, a nice used hauler, and a Hellcat Charger. Then I’d have the best of both worlds.
I fell in love with the GT40 when it first came out. I would be so freakn’ happy to have that Gen 1.
I fell in love with the GT40 when it first came out. I would be so freakn\’ happy to have that Gen 1.
The GT will always be worth twice the Hemi. Besides that Challenger has to be the worst color they ever made. Interior too.
I’m a Ford fan, but almost as much a mopar fan. The GT would be mine. Sleek looks, sort of retro feel, and a car that will smoke everything, track included.
Wouldn’t pick either one. I’d take the $350K and buy 3-4 good driver quality ($60-70K) restomod muscle cars. Would chose from: 1969 Camaro, 1969-1970 Mach 1 Mustang, ‘66-67 Chevelle, 1970-72 Firebird. That should leave enough to buy a new GT500 Mustang as a daily driver.
My Dad was the original owner of that same care in orange with an automatic and Scat Pack option. Last thing I heard it was in the hands of a Dentist in New Jersey somewhere.
I would take the GT faster and better handling.