TMCP #631: Ask Rick – The Year In Reivew and the Year to Come: Restoration Parts Prices, Online Auctions, and Great Cars for Investment!

Rick Schmidt – Ask Rick

It’s December, and we’ve reached the holiday around which the entire kid year revolves… CHRISTMAS! Before we dig into the turkey and unwrap the presents, we’re kicking things off with the straight scoop from the man himself: Rick Schmidt.

Christmas Day for Rick is all about family. It’s a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy great food, and relax at home with the timeless holiday classics playing in the background. Family time is essential to him, and this year he’s looking forward to a warm, cozy holiday spent with the people who matter most.

Merry Christmas, Rick! From all of us at The MuscleCar Place, thank you for a fantastic 2025 — and here’s to an even better 2026 ahead!

Rick’s Take On The Future of Automotive

As 2025 comes to a close and we look toward 2026, there’s a real sense of change — and opportunity — ahead. Yes, the future may bring rising costs, taxes, and tariffs, but these shifts fit into a broader economic realignment.

This past year saw restoration part prices increase by roughly 25%, one of the sharpest spikes the industry has ever experienced. Prices fluctuated almost daily, yet when viewed historically, imported parts remained surprisingly stable for many years. What we’re seeing now is not simply a surge but a market correction — a recalibration toward the true value of these products. Electric vehicles have taken all of us on a roller-coaster ride. Despite post-subsidy price hikes, EVs aren’t going anywhere… but they may not dominate the automotive landscape the way many predicted. As costs rise, consumers will need to balance practicality with innovation. With the electric-only mandate now off the table, the future opens up to multiple fuel solutions. Hybrids like the Prius and Insight paved the way years ago, and hybrid trucks are increasingly common as manufacturers chase better fuel efficiency and real-world usability. What’s taking shape is a more diverse and exciting automotive era — a blend of electric advancements, hybrid practicality, and the enduring reliability of traditional fuel technologies.

The road ahead looks bright, and full of possibilities.

Rick’s Take On The Future Of Online Auctions

There was a time when eBay was the undisputed leader of online automotive auctions — and then, seemingly overnight, it drifted toward irrelevance. Fast-forward to today, and not only has eBay regained its footing, but nearly every auction house and classic-car publication now offers its own online auction platform. Each comes with its own set of features, incentives, and marketing angles.

The auction boom is massive… but is bigger always better?

With so many platforms competing for attention, we may be reaching a point of oversaturation. Too many choices can dilute buyer traffic, fragment audiences, and ultimately water down final sale prices. If customers aren’t exposed to a seller’s listing because they’re spread across dozens of platforms, everyone loses. Time will tell which platforms prove themselves essential — and which are simply adding noise to an already crowded landscape. What’s certain is that the classic-car sales frontier is evolving rapidly, and the strongest players will be the ones who offer both trust and reach in a shifting market.

Santa’s Take On Red Muscle Cars: Best ROI

Santa always picks red, and he has in his magic bag of toys three driver quality muscle cars. A Dodge, a Chevy, and a Ford. Which one would bring the most joy to one luck recipient on Christmas morning….and have the most potential ROI value for them too? Meaning, they’ll get it, improve it, and likely sell it before next Christmas.

Car #1: 1964 Dodge Dart GT Convertible

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1964-dodge-dart-gt

Car #2: 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-chevrolet-chevelle-ss-396

Car #3: 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-ford-mustang-mach-1

Best ROI, Just Not Red

Same question as before, but Santa has way more expensive taste now…and it does NOT have to be red!!

Car #1: 1972 Datsun 240z Four Speed

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-datsun-240z

Car #2: 1967 Shelby GT500

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1967-shelby-gt500

Car #3: 1969 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Six Pack (upgrade)

https://www.hagerty.com/marketplace/classified/1969-Dodge-Charger

As always, Rick breaks it all down with a blend of practicality, market insight, and pure car-guy instinct. It’s the perfect finish to a show filled with holiday spirit, real-world wisdom, and a look ahead to what the future holds for all of us in the hobby. Merry Christmas, and here’s to an exciting 2026 on the road ahead!

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