I'd have to disagree. In my mind, you need to prove your car is sorted out and has the performance intended to get good money especially now. If I've seen that your car can run a quick quarter mile, compete at the auto cross, and make it around the road course without falling apart. Then I'd pay way more than a car that sits in the garage and goes to car shows. But I am more about the driving aspect than sitting in a lawn chair at a car show.

I have an interesting thought. My car if it were intended to be a pro-touring car would be getting 95% of the sheet metal replaced.

Since it will be more of a street fighter/ Race car I will be repairing some panels.
Partially because I expect I might bang them up anyway.
I wont be getting a 15K paint job, I wont be purchasing a 25k power plant for the same power I can make for 10K simply because that's the hot setup this month in the pro touring scene or what will bring more resale $$$.

I wont spend close to 10K on wheels and tires. I wont have a 3K gauge cluster I wont have a hand fabricated anything unless I make it myself.

So basically a nice PT car cost more so therefore they sell for more .. Some will say your getting more. Some will say they don't need the more the $$ buys.

It's all a matter of getting what you want an enjoying what you have :thumbsup:

Sorted out and a few passes in the quarter and the autocross to see if the car stays together is a given in my mind. That's is all in the fun and I agree with you. Maybe I read the post wrong, about value and race cars, I meant a car used and abused with alot of racing miles will be less valuable. I'm sure there is a fine line perceptually between too much and too hard and resale. Also the guy buying the car will probably ponder that maybe the owner has sorted the car out and that is WHY he is selling it, for something better.

I think that there is a balance between Todd and Stuart for sure...

I personally see added value in a car actually doing everything that is capable of doing (hence my building what I did and it's ultimate purpose) however, Stuart is absolutely right that every time a car is on the road, track, or beween the cones it gets worn - physically and mechnically. Cone rash wipes off, brushing a water barrier might not so much... sand, gravel, bugs wind and sun will all take their toll. Brakes get eaten up, bushings, bearings and grears see wear...

Maintenance (I think) comes into play here - BP for instance looks as good today as it did when it came out of BoS over a year ago - but eventually wear will erode value. That is definately where a "used" track oriented car's value will take a hit - the cost of freshening an experienced race car can be steep.

Good points....so the key is to enjoy the car, prove it's performance, race it all you want, just don't let the public know past a point. Then freshen her up for sale.:unibrow: I have to say I like the idea of some wear on a car. We all know how much that first chip hurts. When I look at my car now, it has a few blemishes on the front from road debris and rocks thrown up on the lower fenders. She's still pretty just has a few scars from use. I have to say it doesn't bother me. The enjoyment of driving the car far out weighs the wear and tear. The cars we are discussing will always be maintained immaculately. We are all just to crazy about our cars not to keep them in tip top shape.:thumbsup:

I agree with Stuart as a "used" car is just that. But a broken in car is a must when going to sell. Does "broken-in" constitute racing, auto-x, drag, etc I personally don't think so.
I think you have to consider the buying public on these types of cars. We have a small community here and for the most part people that want these cars don't know what and LS2 is let along ever been on a track/autox, etc. So when you build a more track oriented car these people aren't going to "get" it. I've listened to many people walk by a car and say, "I'd never own a car with a rollbar thingy". :lol:

I think it depends on alot of factors, way too many to discuss. I think it also comes down to what anyone person is willing to pay for the car.

Does the value of John Parsons's "II Much" get hurt by the race inspired look.

Did the value Bob Johnson's "G-force Cuda get hurt being driven when it sold at Barrett Jackson.

Would the value of lets say "the Mule" be hurt by being on multiple Hot Rod Power tours and seeing some track time?

I sure like your car.:thumbsup:

Thanks Stuart:cheers: I didn't build it to sell it anyway...I built it to drive the wheels off it.:unibrow: :thumbsup: If I lose 50k...I'll make damn sure I get that much pleasure.

Sounds great. Better than loosing 200K in a house, that is just a bed, shower and microwave, and no wheels. LOL.