For most of us gearheads, classic cars have a special place in our hearts. There are several reasons for this, many of which are subjective, but the overarching reason we love those old cars is a yearning for times long passed. In a way, we can relive the old days when we get behind the wheel of some sort of classic, and feel what it was like to drive it when it was new. After all, modern cars are a far cry from the days of simple engineering, steel, and questionable safety features.However, another large reason to own a classic is much more practical. Some older cars can act as investment vehicles, pun intended. Loads of classics have exploded in value over the last decade, with some increasing more than others. The Dodge Ramcharger, for example, has seen a steady increase in value over the last few years, and the reasons behind the phenomenon go further than just sentimentality. A Steady Climb Bring A Trailer Those of you in-the-know regarding old-school American SUVs will probably be familiar with the Ramcharger, but will be better-informed regarding its two main rivals: the Ford Bronco and the Chevrolet Blazer. Those two titans of the SUV industry are far more sought-after and, in turn, typically more valuable, than the humble Ramcharger. However, this very fact is what's leading to the Ramcharger's steady rise in value. Folks have started to notice that they can have an old-school, truck-based SUV for much less than they'd pay for a well-conditioned Bronco or Blazer.Bring A Trailer According to Hagerty, the 1992 Ford Bronco and Chevy Blazer fetch about $23,800 and $19,300, respectively, on average and in good condition. The '92 Ramcharger, on the other hand, goes for about $18,900 in good condition. As far as pricing trends go, the Ramcharger has been on a steady uphill climb, save for a small dip over the last few months. Taking a look at another classic car valuation authority, Classic.com, the Dodge Ramcharger has increased in value by roughly $8,000, since January 2014. Back then, the average Ramcharger auction sale garnered about $10,525. As of this month, the Ramcharger's average sale price on Classic.com was approximately $18,721. A New, Younger Crowd Bring A Trailer A large driver of the Ramcharger's uptick in value is its fast-growing fandom among younger classic owners, namely those who belong to Gen Z. Now, it's important to mention that younger folks, such as Gen Z-ers and younger Millennials, are reaching the age where they may have some disposable income, making a classic car purchase feasible. Because the Ramcharger is cheap, looks good, and packs a slew of good ol' American engineering, it's no surprise that its popularity has increased with young people, along with its value. What The Ramcharger Has To Offer In total, the Dodge Ramcharger was around from 1974 to 1993. Over the course of those 19 years, it enjoyed just two generations, although a vast majority of its life was spent within its second generation. First Generation (1974–1980) Bring A Trailer1974 marked the kicking-off of the Ramcharger's life. It was introduced alongside its Plymouth-built equivalent, the Trail Duster. It was initially offered as a four-wheel-drive-only model, although a rear-wheel drive iteration joined the fold in 1975. Its platform, the Chrysler AD platform, is shared with the Dodge Ram pickup truck, although its wheelbase was shortened by nine inches to better-suit an SUV application.Bring A Trailer The Ramcharger was, initially, meant to be as rugged and simple as possible. In fact, Dodge took this mantra so far, that even a passenger seat was an optional extra until 1976. The rear seat was also optional, and remained so for the duration of the Ramcharger's first generation. You also had the ability to order your Ramcharger with either a soft-top roof, removable hardtop, or no roof at all. In keeping with the outdoorsy, rugged feel of the Ramcharger, one of the only other options available regarding amenities was an insulated center console for keeping your wobble pops cool.Bring A Trailer Mechanically, Dodge offered a slew of engine choices. At base level sat the famous 225-CID Chrysler Slant-Six. Moving up the ladder, Chrysler's 318 CID V8 was found, along with a 360 CID mill. A couple of big-blocks also graced the first-gen Ramcharger's options list, including a 400 CID and 440 CID mill, the latter of which was only available on 4x4 models. You also had your choice between a three-speed Torqueflite automatic and a four-speed manual transmission. Second Generation (1981–1993) Bring A TrailerFor the 1981 model year, Chrysler completely overhauled its AD Platform, ushering in the Ramcharger's second generation. The Plymouth Trail Duster only hung on for the 1981 model year, after which it was axed. This time around, the Ramcharger ended up losing its removable top, instead offering a fixed roof. This dealt a major blow to the model, as both of its main competitors, the Ford Bronco and the Chevy Blazer, offered removable roofs.Bring A Trailer In addition to losing its open-topped potential, the Ramcharger also lost most of its engine options. Gone were the big-block V8s and the Slant-Six, which left in 1982, and only the 318 CID and 360 CID V8s remained. Both the passenger seat and reach bench seat were now standard kit. Only a few luxury upgrades were available for purchase, including power windows and locks, along with air conditioning. The standard vinyl seats could also be outfitted with cloth trimming, and a center console could be added at extra cost. Come 1987, the 318 CID engine began offering fuel injection, with the 360 mill following suit in 1989. The Ramcharger Deserves Your Attention, And Money Bring A TrailerSomething that must be mentioned before we wrap up is the Ramcharger's very close relationship to the Dodge Ram. This is an important aspect of the model, simply because, since 1989, the Dodge Ram offered the Cummins six-cylinder diesel engine. Those of you who possess the DIY know-how to successfully transplant an engine into a different vehicle can take advantage of the knowledge and create a truly unique, Cummins-powered Ramcharger that, if done right, could increase its value by quite a lot.At the end of the day, everyone loves an underdog, and the Ramcharger sits as the classic full-size SUV produced by any one of the Detroit Big Three that received the least amount of love since its birth. It seems that folks are waking up to this notion, which, in turn, drives up its average market price. It's already started, but in the grand scheme of things, the Ramcharger's increase in value is still relatively new to the scene.Bring A Trailer In the end, whether you Cummins-swap it, park it in climate-controlled storage, or just drive it as normal, buying an old Ramcharger could very well prove to be a good investment.