It happens every time we have a recession. The stock market and housing prices go down. As people get out of those markets they need to put their money into something safe — gold, art, coins, collector cars and, yes, old car literature. When that happens the prices of those commodities go up.

For some reason most collectors are surprised that the economy works this way. Throughout the 1990s, after the late 1989-91 recession, the stock market and real estate went up. After 2000, and until recently, money has shifted back and forth between the stock market and real estate in an unstable situation. So has the old car market. More recently, recession and inflation have become concerns. With gasoline prices increasing and economy cars becoming popular, we are likely to see a return of the 1970s and 1980s when collectibles like antique and classic cars flourished. Remember when you thought yesterday's prices were cheap? That scenario appears to be back and today is yesterday. Will you own high priced collectibles that look cheap now?

We have created a "Featured Items" section on McLellan's Automotive History. This section is updated daily with new and interesting items that we have to offer. Click here for today's listing.