Classic trucks and muscle cars posted notable value declines recently. Jeep CJ-7 suffered biggest drop, falling 22 percent during Q2 2026. High-end collectibles remain strong but mainstream car values soften. For years it felt like collector car prices only moved in one direction. Now the market is delivering a reminder that even automotive icons aren’t immune to gravity, with several long-time enthusiast favorites posting surprisingly sharp value declines. According to Hagerty’s latest market update, some of the biggest losers include vehicles that were previously considered among the safest bets in the hobby. Leading the list is the 1976 to 1986 Jeep CJ-7, which saw average values tumble by 22 percent. Related: If Dodge Built A Charger Hellcat In 1971, It Would Look Like This 1986 Jeep CJ-7 Laredo (Mecum) That’s a significant shift for a vehicle that has enjoyed years of strong demand. Hagerty says CJ-7s have increasingly struggled to meet previous price expectations, with some examples selling below estimates while others simply sit unsold. 1969 Buick Riviera GS (RM Sotheby’s) Further down the list the 1968 to 1972 torque-monster Buick GS muscle car dropped 18 percent, the beloved split-window-era Volkswagen Type 2 Bus fell 16 percent, and the high-revving and highly desirable 1970 to 1972 solid-lifter, small-block Corvette LT1 slid 15 percent. Even the first-generation Ford Bronco wasn’t spared, posting a 12 percent decline. When Buses Went Bonkers 1975 Volkswagen Type 2 15-Window Bus (Mecum) Many of these vehicles were poster children for the recent collector boom. Early Broncos became restomod darlings and VW Samba buses spent years achieving prices that would have seemed absurd a decade earlier – some even changing hands for more than $200,000. That doesn’t necessarily mean the sky is falling. Hagerty’s full market analysis suggests the collector world is increasingly splitting into two separate camps. While the most expensive blue-chip collectibles continue to attract deep-pocketed buyers, mainstream enthusiast vehicles are cooling. 1971 Ford Bronco (Mecum) Private-sale activity has softened, insured value increases have slowed, and average transaction prices have come under pressure. So this isn’t really a story about enthusiasts suddenly hating Broncos, Corvettes, or classic Jeeps. It’s more likely a correction after years of rapid appreciation, combined with a more cautious buying environment. For anyone who spent the past few years watching dream cars climb beyond reach, however, there’s a silver lining. The collector market may finally be giving buyers some bargaining power again. 1970 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1 Coupe (RM Sotheby’s)
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