Are first gen 4runners going to escalate in value?

[Melrose 4r]

FJ40's, FJ60's, K5 Blazer's, early Bronco's and Scouts have all gone up in value dramatically to stratuspherically over the last several years.

Yet pricing on '84-89 4runners seems more regional than speculation-based. I am following pricing on ebay and Craigslist everyday and see some crazy asking prices for standout garaged, unmolested first gens, but also see what I consider to be nice fixer-uppers for realistic asking prices.

"A rising tide raises all boats", they say about the muscle car market.

Are first gens about to take off? Everywhere I drive mine I get a "thumbs-up"... so the cool factor is there I think that is a necessary component. But I don't understand the excitement about FJ60 and 62 Cruisers (THE TOP DOESNT EVEN COME OFF!) and part of me doesn't want to see our fine first gens get priced out of the market.

Let us know if anyone has seen any '84-89 runners at collector car auctions and how did they do.

 

[jordanrb81]

So the general rule with collectables is they have to be cool, and they have to be rare/unique, bonus points if the top goes down. The first Gen 4Runners are most certainly cool, but what are the production numbers like? I don't know the answer to this. I'll give an example if you look in my garage you'll see I have an antique Mercedes SL, the "Pagoda" which is the body style before mine was in the 20-30k range not too long ago and are now selling for over 100k. the odds of the value going up on mine, unfortunately for me are far less. even though it's the "hart to hart" car and having a car that appeared in a television show usually will drive values up. why you ask, production numbers, they are in the simplest terms just not that rare. Mercedes made far less of the previous body style, my body style made from 1972-1989 is sort of a dime a dozen.

So if you want to know if your first gen 4Runner will rise in value find out how many were imported into the US and how many are still on the road (much more difficult to determine)

 

[Nervo19]

Behold the completed auction prices on Bring A Trailer. The key is keeping it original and low mileage. https://bringatrailer.com/search/4runner/auctions/

 

[Melrose 4r]

Behold the completed auction prices on Bring A Trailer. The key is keeping it original and low mileage. https://bringatrailer.com/search/4runner/auctions/

Great data points, Nervo!