NADA Guide: Why do clamshells vary in price?

After looking at the on-line NADA guide for the Buick and Olds clamshell wagons, I wonder what determines their value? Why is a Buick Estate worth less than an Olds Custom Cruiser for 1971 to 1976? And why is a '76 Custom Cruiser worth so much less than others, or a '72 Cruiser worth more than any other year? Got any ideas what explains the numbers below? Thanks.

Low Average High

76 Buick Estate
$4300 7800 14,000

73 Buick Estate
3,600 6,700 12,700

72 Buick Estate
3,800 7,000 12,500

71 Buick Estate
4,300 7,800 14,000

-----------------
76 Olds Custom Cruiser
3,000 9,400 14,800

74 Olds Custom Cruiser
5,300 13,000 22,800

73 Olds Custom Cruiser
4,200 10,600 18,500

72 Olds Custom Cruiser
5,800 14,300 26,500

71 Olds Custom Cruiser
5,200 12,400 22,300

 

A Couple of Possibilities

1973 was the first year for the 5-mph bumpers, plus stricter emission controls.

1976 (I think, maybe 1975)) was the first year requiring catalytic convertors and unleaded gasoline only.

Those factors may have contributed to being seen as less desirable model years. The mid-'70's in general were perceived as much lower build quality in domestic autos, too.

Personal example: I owned a 1976 Volare wagon. When I took apart the instrument panel to install a stereo system, I found the A/C wiring harness crushed between 2 parts of the ducting (apparently why the fan speed switch was sporadic). Sloppy assembly on the line...

 

I suspect that it has to do with the data collection process.
In this case, these wagons are getting so rare that there just arn't a whole lot for sale at any one time. In other words, however NADA collects their data, they might have information on 10,000 2001 Toyota Camry's for sale, but maybe only 20 clamshell wagons - in total. So the results get skewed because the sampling is too small.....

Because of that, I wouldn't read too much into the price differential. It's more a function of condition. I would just 'average' the values of all the clamshells together as a group.

 

When I look at a car I find out what the average selling price is and decide if the vehicle is really what I want. If it is in decent shape and something you really like, don't worry about a few dollars. Your much farther ahead getting a nice driver than any project at half the price.

 

Sage advice. Thanks.

 

Did you check the production numbers?

 

Production Figures

• OLDSMOBILE
• 1971
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 4,049
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 9,932
•
• OLDSMOBILE
• 1972
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 6,907
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 18,087
•
• OLDSMOBILE
• 1973
• WITH WOODGRAIN:
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 7,142
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 19,163
• WITHOUT WOODGRAIN:
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 5,275
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 7,341
•
• OLDSMOBILE
• 1974
• WITH WOODGRAIN:
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 2,960
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 8,947
• WITHOUT WOODGRAIN:
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 1,481
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 2,528
•
• OLDSMOBILE
• 1975
• WITH WOODGRAIN:
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 2,837
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 9,458
• WITHOUT WOODGRAIN:
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 1,458
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 2,315
•
• OLDSMOBILE
• 1976
• WITH WOODGRAIN:
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 3,849
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 12,269
• WITHOUT WOODGRAIN:
• Custom Cruiser- 2 seat - 2,572
• Custom Cruiser- 3 seat - 3,626
• -------------------------------
•
• BUICK
• 1971
• Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 8,699
• Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 15,335
•
• BUICK
• 1972
• Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 10,175
• Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 18,793
•
• Buick
• 1973
• Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 12,282
• Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 23,513
•
• Buick
• 1974
• Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 4,581
• Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 9,831
•
• Buick
• 1975
• Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 4,128
• Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 9,612
•
• Buick
• 1976
• Estate Wagon- 2 seat - 5,990
• Estate Wagon- 3 seat - 14,384