The 10 Best Places To Find An Affordable Classic Car Pt 7: Market Letters

Part VII:  6. Market Letters

The Market Letter is probably the most unique place to find an affordable classic. These publications are generally only known to true insiders of a particular make or model. The expertise and niche nature of these publications really set them apart from other classified sources or your run of the mill newsstand publications. These publications are essentially publications full of classifieds of a particular make or model of car often mixed with specific market analysis and model information.

The Porsche Market Letter

The expertise with which these sorts of publications are put together has no equal. The people who write, assemble and publish these pieces are the true experts in their fields. I am most familiar with two publications in particular. The first is the Porsche Market Letter, boasting close to 1000 Porsche classifieds per issue (printed every two months). The Porsche Market Letter is clearly the publication to look at if you’re serious about a Porsche of any type. Have a look at their extensive website for more information.

SL Market Letter

The second publication is the even more specific SL Market Letter. This publication is, as its name implies, specific to the Mercedes-Benz SL, from the 300SLs of the 1950s to the newest, modern SLs, they’re all covered. The SL Market Letter also includes classifieds and market analysis of other Mercedes-Benz models, typically the most collectible models, coupes and specialty sedans. As the SL Market website subscription page states:

“Keep in mind that it would take many magazines, newspapers, and internet-searching hours to gather the “sense of the market” found in ONE issue of the SL Market Letter.”

I would have to agree, the depth of knowledge this publication taps into is vast. Publisher John Olson is also the author and publisher of  “The SL Experience – Five Decades of the Mercedes-Benz SL”. If you’re looking for a collectible Mercedes-Benz there’s no doubt it’s worth subscribing to the SL Market Letter, some wonderful examples show up each month, many of them meeting our “affordable classics” criteria. You can visit the SL Market Letter website for more information or for a look at several sample issues.

Market letters are specialty publications produced for the most serious enthusiasts, collectors and investors and that’s exactly why you should be looking at them as one of the best sources for your next affordable classic. The information contained in these publications can serve you well even after you’ve obtained your affordable classic. While more expensive than a subscription to Hemmings Motor News or Auto Trader Classics market letters reside on an entirely different level in terms of expertise of specific makes and models. In the end, what’s finding the RIGHT car worth to you?