About Greg_I

Greg_I

I think that part of the deal is that these cars are also not Trans Ams. Not that it's a bad thing, but name recognition is a very real thing and while most Pontiac enthusiasts would rather have the more interesting car, the casual enthusiast would rather have the car they know. Personally, I think the Trans Ams are going to carry more value than the rarer cars because of that name recognition. But since verifiable sales are nonexistent, we'll probably never know what thought process is correct until a sale happens.

Greg_I

@SJ Would still be worth six figures. That said, I’d much rather take the one with the high kilometers. That way you can enjoy it and share the experience with others.

Greg_I · ‎23-06-2021

@MATTMERICA if you go to the hyperlink in the article for a preview piece we did, we included a video that Craig Lieberman, the technical advisor for the film and the builder of the Hero 1 car did explaining the car's history in fine detail as well as what was done to it.

Greg_I · ‎23-06-2021

@drhino To me the only watchable or remotely believable F&F films are the first and third. They quickly turned into heist films because "car" films don't sell, action films do. It just goes to show that in general car centered films are not gonna be blockbusters. When car people start to approach "car" films understanding that those films were not made for them, but for the blissfully unaware general audience, then many of these films are far more enjoyable. Faults aside, the original F&F film is still one of my favorite films featuring cars.

Greg_I · ‎23-06-2021

Just remember, the Bullitt Mustang had a smoke generator in the trunk for when McQueen did the reverse burnout. The Jump in the remake of Gone in 60-Seconds has a blatantly obvious CGI jump. I just think we have higher standards of realism in films than we used to. You can pick apart any film you want. Ford v Ferrari has a quite a few historical inaccuracies. I think car people forget that movie companies don't make movies for us. They make movies for a broad audience, which are blissfully ignorant of any technical or historical mistake.

Greg_I · ‎22-06-2021

@Gary_Bechtold everyone is certainly entitled to their views on this car and on the movie, but I'd also like to point out that most car movies are arguably "dumb." Took me 4 watches to finally understand the plot to "Bullitt" which is refreshing compared to "Two Lane Blacktop" or "Vanishing Point" which have none. All three of those are still regarded as "great" car movies.

Greg_I · ‎15-06-2021

Same here, but I have a Hotwheels R34.

Greg_I · ‎10-06-2021

That would be amazing of you did!

Greg_I · ‎07-06-2021

The comparison of Smoky Nagata and Caroll Shelby was spot on! Both are absolute tuning legends. Nice to see some enthusiasm for Top Secret’s creations over here.

Greg_I · ‎31-05-2021

I think that’s a really tall order. Don’t get me wrong, DSM cars are great, but I think in order for them to be more sought after than an M3 would require a seismic shift in collecting habits. That said, I do think that they’re confusingly cheap for what you get if you can manage to find one that hasn’t been modified then beaten into the ground.

Greg_I · ‎29-05-2021

Thanks for the feedback, we’ll make a point of doing a deep dive on those for our next price guide update.

Greg_I · ‎29-05-2021

That was a spectacular Scout. We probably could’ve just aria price in trucks that broke the price guide.

Greg_I · ‎29-05-2021

@JRBucks I’m the editor of the price guide. If you have any specific critiques about it or where you believe we missed the mark I’d be glad to hear them. Also, no offense taken.

Greg_I · ‎27-05-2021

@Just4gp I wouldn't expect it to be different. I encourage you to take a peek at this vintage brochure. All Pontiac models retained the vent window in 1967 per this publication. https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/pontiac/p67/p67.html I don't expect you to need to look for a Grand Prix specific part. If you would like to be absolutely sure, I'd call Ames Performance Engineering, they're the best source for Pontiac parts and they really know their stuff and interchangeability. Their number is 1-800-421-2637

Greg_I · ‎17-05-2021

I am not aware of any significant difference between 73-77. There will most certainly be other differences that are 1973 only in the body, but to my knowledge, the roof is not one of them.

Greg_I · ‎14-05-2021

True, you are technically correct. However 99.9% of enthusiasts wouldn't know the difference and these cars are generally embraced as "muscle cars" even if they don't meet the original terminology.

Greg_I · ‎14-05-2021

These are incredibly niche and tough to pin a market on. However anything with Shelby directly involved in is desirable. We tracked a sale of a 1997 GTS/CS that sold for $235,000 back in January, so I'd say it is high up there in the terms of the hierarchy of desirable1st gen vipers.

Greg_I · ‎12-05-2021

Sam C wanted to know about the early Porsche 928 since he just bought one. First of all, congratulations! Value wise, the outlook is good. We've tracked steady, positive change on these for quite some time. Nothing drastic like later front engine Porsches, however slow gains are usually more sustainable and more resistant to drastic drops.

Greg_I · ‎03-05-2021

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but the muscle car market is coming back. Sales are increasing and people are paying more. That said, there are still deals to be had for those willing to accept that it isn't gonna be a Charger R/T or a 454 Chevelle. I bought my 69 Grand Prix for under $10,000 where a similar GTO (same drivetrain) cost more than double that. Mercury Cougars are still a bargain compared to Mustangs in many cases. Really depends on where you look.

Greg_I · ‎24-04-2021

Thanks for the info, will make some tweaks

Greg_I · ‎24-04-2021

@Canuck I’ve head it both ways about the frame. Do you have any recommended reading that I can check before we look to make an edit?

Greg_I · ‎24-04-2021

@drhino I can see where you’re coming from, but I do stand by that statement. I own a 69 Grand Prix and I can’t tell you how many times it has been mistaken for a much later car. So that statement is born out of personal experience. It surprised me for a while, but I just expect to be approached these days and be asked “wow! Is that a 75, 76, etc?” Can’t fault anyone either, they have a similar basic shape and to someone who doesn’t know any better, that’s enough.

Greg_I · ‎20-04-2021

I agree with everyone else that "evolving" is the word to use here. Yes, car culture of the 50s/60s is a thing of the past. You will not see today's youth at a cruise in or a car show. They are not interested in those things. As a millennial with a muscle car, I can throw in that I am one of those people who find cruise ins and car shows a snore fest. Cars and Coffee is where I prefer to be as well as many of my peers. Taste in cars has evolved too, but that doesn't mean that older cars are no longer desirable. If that were the case, people would've stopped collecting Model A's 50 years ago. I think to look for car culture, you gotta cast a wider net these days, but it is out there and vibrant as ever. It just doesn't look like it did even 10 years ago.

Greg_I · ‎19-04-2021

Glad you liked it. I have a particular soft spot for these cars, so I am happy to duck in and engage with fellow GT-R lovers and try to change the minds of those who aren't. BTW... love the username

Greg_I · ‎19-04-2021

I like the looks of the R33/34 best, but I hear that the R32 is the most raw driving experience. I have yet to get any time behind the wheel of a GT-R, but I'm working to remedy that.

Greg_I · ‎07-04-2021

@umyaqub3could you give a little more information on the situation? Can you hear anything out of the starter when you turn the key? What other symptoms are you running into?

Greg_I · ‎22-03-2021

Hey now, you completely forgot the Pontiac 400. In my opinion the best rounded Pontiac engine in existence.

Greg_I · ‎15-03-2021

I have zero concerns about automatic trickle chargers. I prefer the "Battery Tender" brand and have used one on my car and my wife's scooter for a few years. The idea of a fire risk, to me at least comes down to either user error, freak failure on a quality product, or failure of a cheap product.

Greg_I · ‎07-03-2021

@billy_f the R33 is a bit more expensive, but not by a huge margin.

Greg_I · ‎04-03-2021

This is akin to sending your Ferrari back to Modena to have it restored. While the cost might be unfathomable to a lot of people reading this, really the idea behind sending the car back to the factory for restoration is perfection, and that's what you're getting here.

Greg_I · ‎02-03-2021

Thanks for the kind words and that sounds like quite the trip! Not often you see more than one Skyline in the same place!

Greg_I · ‎02-03-2021

A turbo'd Honda K-series would be an interesting swap as well.

Greg_I · ‎02-03-2021

@Geok86 Hagerty is so much more than just insurance these days and as the author of this article, I can assure you that selling insurance didn't even cross my mind until I read your comment. The intent was to call attention to a much overlooked car and to show that it is finally getting the attention it deserves from enthusiasts. I do state in the piece how it is not nearly as loved as the R32 and R34, that's a shame though, there really isn't such thing as a bad GT-R although there are ones that are considered better.

Greg_I · ‎02-03-2021

When you're writing about a crowd that speaks in chassis codes, it's a lot to process. But it's less gibberish to me than the Mercedes W123456 or the BMW E678910. The Nissan structure is at least a bit more fathomable.

Greg_I · ‎01-03-2021

@DADSOLDS_1968 Could you elaborate a little on what your concerns are? Hagerty carries the Firehawk in the price guide and they are worth more than the standard Trans Ams. https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/search/auto/Pontiac/Firebird/Trans_Am_SLP_Firehawk/2002 You guys might want to cut the author a bit of slack as you are sacrificing one of your own here. He is a die hard Pontiac fan. Valuation was established by a Firehawk fan. I can say that with 100% certainty, because I'm the guy who posted the value. The author and I have extensively covered the Firehawk in the past more than once in far more detail.

Greg_I · ‎18-02-2021

@s2kx4 I agree with @ten_second_ride there is a market for skillfully modified Japanese cars. Just look to the Skyline market, well done mods can bring more money than a stock car in driver condition. For the sake of argument on your value points, I would expect to see NSX values rise proportionally to S2000's if that happened. They're more exclusive and widely accepted as the Japanese super car. Personally, I would be sad to see the S2000 market get out of reach to the average collector. The CR is certainly going to lead the pack, but the S2000 is still a common car, so to reliably see gains like that would be newsworthy in my opinion. Time will tell....

Greg_I · ‎14-02-2021

A commenter here did mention that the seller is known to have a serious collection of rare Pontiac parts and does indeed have the parts he says he owns. If you check his other items for sale, there are other Ram Air V bits he has listed as well. So I wouldn’t be too concerned about them possessing the parts. Shame they didn’t wanna share though.

Greg_I · ‎13-02-2021

That’s not what was written. The short block is in addition to the other parts. The mention of the short block was that it is a true Ram Air V block. The rest of the parts are listed in the description and touched on in the article.

Greg_I · ‎12-02-2021

Disagreeing with the price and being a scam are different things. A scam would be taking your money without intent to give you the parts. I technically wouldn't call it gouging if there aren't any like kind or quality engines for sale at the same time, and nobody is forcing anyone to buy it. I think it is worse etiquette to report an ad because you disagree with the price more than asking too much.

Greg_I · ‎12-02-2021

@Tinkerah Actually, I feel like the article was fairly neutral in tone and was a serious solicitation of opinion. Not once was the word uttered "not worth it" in fact the only actual criticism is the lack of pictures. As a Pontiac enthusiast and owner, I'm let down that we don't have a bunch of cool pictures to sort through.

Greg_I · ‎08-02-2021

I owned a 73 Cutlass Supreme. I prefer the looks of the earlier cars personally. The flush mount bumper out back looked very good and I suspect that if you were to suck in the front bumper a bit, it would be a real stunner.

Greg_I · ‎04-02-2021

@Spudsly not saying that at all. @ten_second_ride actually nailed it. I don't mind learning, I feel that there is not a person on the planet that knows everything. But the carsplaining and being told what's "wrong" with my car or how they "would've done that differently" isn't why I'm in the hobby. Everyone gets their fair amount of carsplaining at all ages, I just find that compared to my father, I find myself in that situation more often than he does. Hence why I like cars and coffee events. Much more "come as you are" and like minded individuals who just wanna be around and converse with other owners.

Greg_I · ‎03-02-2021

Me too. It wouldn't be so bothersome if the "advice" weren't unsolicited. Outside of shows though (gas station, parking lot, stoplights) is where I see the most genuine appreciation, so I spend my time driving.

Greg_I · ‎03-02-2021

I have a 60s Pontiac and I avoid car shows and cruise ins as much as I possibly can. As a Millennial, I hate how many people feel the need to inform me about all aspects of 60s cars even though a lot of things I have been told is complete nonsense. I also hate being told what is wrong with my car from people who aren't even showing a car. I know what is wrong with it and I don't mind, it's a driver not a show car. I feel generally unwelcome or not taken seriously. I prefer the informal cars and coffees with people my age surrounded by Subarus, Hondas, Audis, etc. I may have the oldest car there, but nobody cares. I have felt for a long time like much of the old guard is toxic if not downright hostile towards young enthusiasts.

Greg_I · ‎03-02-2021

Well said.

Greg_I · ‎29-01-2021

I think it all depends on what you want. A 69 GTO is a big step, but an 04 GTO can be reliably had for under $20K. Keep in mind though, strong sales don't instantly set the market. Continuous strong sales do. These could be the start of something or a flash in the pan.

Greg_I · ‎29-01-2021

@Rockem Yes, we are very careful to use resources and data other than auctions. Hagerty's Automotive Intelligence team has has probably spent more time at live auctions than the average person. We know what happens in the heat of the moment, especially when the drinks are free. At no point was it mentioned that the Hagerty Price Guide would for sure be moving values because of these sales. These warrant investigation though. Unless there is other data to back up these sales, it is best to assume them to be outliers.

Greg_I · ‎29-01-2021

The 1971 was really an enigma to me. There was a lot of little things on it that I wasn't a fan of. I managed to find a brochure for the 71 Monte Carlo and the 4-speed was not listed as an available option on the 454... Yeah a lot of things did not line up on that car. I'll update the story to reflect that finding on the transmission.

Greg_I · ‎28-01-2021

@Rob1 I started to dabble in Snowmobiles this year. My father in law has a 1971 Polaris TX Charger 300 that I got running and driving again as well as a couple 95 Ski Doos that had been sitting idle for a few years. Waiting for the riding season to end in hopes of scoring a better deal, but I’m considering picking up a sled of my own. Winter where I’m at in Michigan has been fairly mild, so I’m not missing out.

Greg_I · ‎28-01-2021

I've owned a handful of Oldsmobiles in the past, one of them was a 1973 Cutlass Supreme that my dad gave passed on to me to tinker on with him as a teen. I used to joke that "this WAS my father's Oldsmobile" I'm a millennial, so none of my friends got it, but I'd get a good chuckle out of the older guys who remember.