HPG21 Index Preview: Blue Chip
On the heels of strong auction results for premier models during the first quarter of 2013, Hagerty’s Blue Chip Index of collector cars rattled off a 9% gain to further push its all-time high even higher. Movement was spread far and wide, with 20 of the 25 component cars gaining in price, and nine of those moving in excess of 8%. Year over year, the Blue Chip advanced 16%.
Coming into 2013, this group had slowed down a bit, with only a 2% improvement. That lull was short-lived, as high-profile sales of Cal Spyders, Mercedes 300SLs, and a pair of B24 Spider Americas all served notice that special cars continue to command special prices. On the downside, all losing component cars were American models, with the Hemi Cuda convertible slipping 9%, and the 1953 Corvette sliding another 5%.
More quality cars are coming to market — with several high-line lots consigned for the summer auction season in particular — and buyers continue to seem willing to pay up. All indications at the moment suggest that the trend will continue, at least in the short term.
| Index value: | 240.9 | All-time high: | 240.9 (May 2013) |
| Five-year high: | 240.9 (May 2013) | Five-year low: | 156.1 (September 2009) |
| Four-month change: | 9% | 12-month change: | 16% |
| 36-month change: | 51% | 60-month change: | 36% |
| Component cars: | 25 | Gainers: | 20 |
| No change: | 2 | Losers: | 3 |
Component cars
| 1964 Alfa Romeo TZ-2 | 5% | 1965 Aston Martin DB5 coupe | 9% |
| 1958 Bentley S1 Continental DHC | 2% | 1960 BMW 507 | 8% |
| 1953 Chevrolet Corvette | -5% | 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 conv | 2% |
| 1958 Ferrari 250 GT California LWB Spyder | 8% | 1963 Ferrari 250 GT California SWB Spyder | 22% |
| 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 | 3% | 1974 Iso Grifo SII coupe | 1% |
| 1954 Jaguar D-type | 1% | 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV | n/c |
| 1954 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America | 41% | 1957 Maserati 5000GT Frua coupe | 10% |
| 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe | 10% | 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster | 21% |
| 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda convertible | -9% | 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Super Speedster | 1% |
| 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Touring coupe | 5% | 1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Mulliner DHC | n/c |
| 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 R&P | 5% | 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 (CSX3300 – CSX3360) | 1% |
| 1965 Shelby GT350 | -1% | 1969 Toyota 2000GT | 11% |
| 1948 Tucker 48 | 4% |
