Sure it says "Million Dollar Babies" on the cover, but does that refer to the combined value of all three exceedingly rare, expertly restored Pontiacs? Is it just two of them? Or dare we say one? Well, no million-dollar Pontiacs have changed hands yet that we know of. However, if the market continues as it has, the possibility that each of these Indians could soon draw the type of cash once reserved for primetime reality-show winners may not be so farfetched.
But what does this mean to the rest of the hobbyists who own and enjoy more-mainstream Ponchos? If a '70 R/A-IV convertible Judge sells for $410,000, as a previous HPP feature car ("Resto Rescue," Feb. '06 issue) recently did at auction, then how much is your GTO worth?
Or better still, how much will your next restorable project cost? You know that candidate all too well: It has an engine of unknown origin that runs on seven cylinders, rear quarters that provide trunk access without a key, and an interior that has been condemned by the rodents who moved out in protest. So how much? $30,000? $40,000? $50,000? Probably not. Just because it says GTO on it doesn't mean its value will climb to the stratosphere, regardless of its condition. Here's why:
A Ram Air IV, convertible Judge that sells for $410,000 does so for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are rarity, hi-po drivetrain, desirable body style, and legend status with the Pontiac faithful. And let's not forget that it most likely has been treated to a nut-and-bolt concours restoration, which may have approached or exceeded $100,000 by itself. So anyone selling a restorable GTO that is sitting on four flat tires and currently serving as a soil-reclamation project should be realistic regarding its value.
For all other hobbyists, your show car, driver, or project Pontiac will probably not increase in value in equal step with rare Pontiacs. However, it is certain that the high-roller cars getting all the attention will provide a trickle-down effect in value and popularity for those of us who own less collectible spawns of PMD than someone like Milton Robson.
You remember Milton; many of his desirable Pontiacs were featured in the July '06 issue ("Inside the Secret Stash"), but HPP saved the cream of his collectible crop for this issue. "The rarity of a car is what I look for, especially convertibles," Milton told HPP. And they don't get much more rare than this. Feast your eyes on his '69 Trans Am R/A-III convertible, 1 of 8; his '69 Judge convertible, 1 of 5 with a R/A-IV; and his '70 Judge convertible, 1 of an estimated 14 with a R/A-IV and a four-speed.
If they ever hit the auction block, Milton's triple-crown of pristine ultra-rare Pontiacs could lead the way for tracking values at auctions online or in the hobby. However, you can enjoy learning about this holy grail of Pontiacs on the following pages right now for about $5, less if you're a subscriber.
Though neither you nor the HPP staff may ever get the opportunity to possess rarities like these, keep in mind that any Pontiac you own and enjoy shares its DNA, if not its price tag, with these beauties. Ultimately, the best Pontiac in the world is the one that you enjoy most.