A Bite of History - By Mike Thies

Current Value Trends for Brass Era Cars (1896–1915)

Over the past decade, values for Brass Era automobiles (1896–1915) have followed a familiar but revealing pattern. The late 2010s saw steady appreciation as collectors sought early, historically significant cars with craftsmanship that predates mass production. That momentum accelerated briefly in the post-2020 market surge, particularly for high-quality, well-documented examples offered at major auctions. More recently, however, the market has settled into a selective and disciplined phase. Buyers are still present, but they are far more deliberate, and prices increasingly reflect condition, provenance, and readiness rather than enthusiasm alone.

What has become especially clear is that quality now matters more than ever. Correctly restored Brass Era cars, those with known history, strong documentation, and eligibility for touring events or recognized shows, continue to command solid money and often outperform the broader pre-war market. Conversely, project cars or older restorations with unanswered questions are facing downward pressure, largely due to the rising cost and shrinking availability of specialized restoration skills. In short, the Brass Era segment hasn’t lost relevance, but it has matured. The best cars still bring strong results, while average examples trade sideways. For collectors, this reinforces an old truth: in early automobiles, authenticity, correctness, and usability are where the value lives.