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Collector Car Generation Shift

I enjoy reading the Hagerty: Insider newsletter.  The articles published follow the collector car trends and related news.  In the most recent edition of the newsletter, I found an article discussing the shift in collector car buys from the Baby Boomer generation to Gen X.  This put me on high alert due to my fears that the car hobby will die with the Boomers.

In the article, Hagerty Insurance shares how Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) and the American car culture came of age together. Boomers played a large role in building the modern collector car world as we know it—from shaping what cars are most popular to defining the ways we buy, sell, and enjoy our cars. Based on the number of collector car insurance policies carried by Hagerty Insurance, Boomers still dominate the hobby.

Collector Car Insurance Quotes

Currently, 52% of the collector car policies are held by Boomers.  That’s for existing policies.  When you look at new insurance quotes, Boomers have given up their top spot to Gen X (those born 1965-1981).  Of those seeking new insurance quotes with Hagerty Insurance, 35% come from Gen Xers and 32% from Boomers.  That is a significant change.

Now that Gen Xers are in their prime earning years (ages 42-58), they are in a good position to buy collector cars.  The question remains, will they?  

Gen X Vehicles of Interest

Looking at the vehicles favored by Gen Xers, they trend toward Corvettes, muscle cars, pony cars, and ’60s pickups.  Boomers like me should find comfort in those choices, since many of us find those vehicles popular.  But, that’s not where their interests end.

5 vintage SUVs

Vintage sport utility vehicles are also very popular with Gen X.  The more sought after models include the following:

  • 1983-1990 Land Rover Defender
  • 1966-1977 Ford Bronco
  • 1969-1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer and GMC Jimmy (1970-1972)
  • 1972-1980 International Scout II
  • 1976-1986 Jeep CJ-7 and CJ-8 (1981-1986)
  • 1968-1983 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 
3 Lamborghini sports cars

In addition to older SUVs, this prime buying generation is also shopping for modern supercars and superbikes.  Cars like the Lamborghini Countach and Aventador, and motorcycles such as the 1985-1992 Suzuki GSX-R750, 1994-1998 Ducati 916, 1997-2005 Honda CBR 1100XX Black Bird, 1999-2007 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa, and 1990-2001 Kawasaki ZX-11 Ninja are all favorites of this group.

Final Thoughts & Questions

When you take a look at the variety of vehicles noted above, it follows the same pattern as prior generations.  Car enthusiasts dream of cars and trucks that were aspirational or memorable when they got their driver’s license or started their car buying journey.  Will this trend continue for the generations that follow?  Only time will tell, but I am going to watch with great interest! 

Let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions. You may email me at wct.billtaylor@gmail.com, or message me through the Vehicle Nanny Instagram or Facebook pages.