Some '90s car models have seen a tremendous popularity boost and price increase recently. Industry insiders have attributed the surge to millennial nostalgia. But the reality is that many consumers are only now realizing how outstanding these cars are. Due to their reputation for durability, outstanding performance, and distinctive style, collectible automobiles from the 1990s are becoming more and more popular among Americans. CNN reports that not only high-performance luxury brands like Ferrari, Bugatti, and McLaren have won in value, but also several ‘90s models that belong to Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen.
“Values, for the last three years, for cars and vehicles from the 1990s have increased the most out of any decade,” said Brian Rabold, vice president of Hagerty.
Additionally, Rabold noted that during the last three years, values for collectible cars from the 1990s had climbed by an average of 78 percent. And if you are thinking that only sedans and sport utility vehicles have won in value in recent years, you are mistaken because even certain trucks are in high-demand. For instance, the 1993 to 1995 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning has also skyrocketed in value.
This Is How Much A 1993 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is Worth Today
If you are a millennial fantasizing about your childhood dream pickup truck, this powerful beauty can be yours for a reasonable price. According to Hagerty, gearheads can currently purchase a 1993 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning in good condition for $24,400, up from $13,500 in January 2022. This represents an 80.7 percent year-over-year growth. In other words, this truck is a more solid investment than stocks, gold, and most luxury items on the market. Hagerty also points out that when it comes to the 1993-1995 Ford SVT Lightning pickups, the highest sale reached a staggering $68,250, while the lowest sale was $7,150. Meanwhile, the most recent sale was $48,400.
If you are wondering why the market for these pickups has been so red-hot in recent years, keep in mind that Ford’s SVT envisioned the first-generation Lightning. Naturally, this has boosted the appeal of these trucks, and gearheads and car enthusiasts started seeing them as collectibles that stand out because of their strength, performance, and build quality.
“The first generation Lightning was conceived by Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT), a division comprised of engineering and marketing personnel responsible for designing, developing and marketing limited-edition, high-performance vehicles for enthusiasts based on existing Ford inventory,” says Hemmings.
The rarity of these trucks also contributed to their enhanced value. The American automaker built only 5,276 units in 1993, an additional 4,007 units in 1994, and just 2,280 trucks in 1995, as per Hemmings data.
This Is The Current Market Value Of A 1995 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
Hagerty estimates that the 1995 Ford Lightning has the same market value as the 1993 model. Just for context, Ford fans can purchase a 2000 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning with 97,387 miles on the odometer for $20,991 on the Edmunds website, whereas Carfax lists a 2001 model year for $26,993. As for the 1995 model, prices are all over the place, with some sellers taking advantage of the hot market, while others are keeping it real. For example, car enthusiasts can find a 1995 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning listed for $36,995 on Buy Sell Search.
If you still belong to the group of naysayers who don’t see the value of this pickup truck, it is worth mentioning that the 1993-1995 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning was capable of generating 240 horsepower at 4,200 rpm and 340 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm.
Ford equipped the first-generation Ford SVT F-150 Lightning with a 5.8-liter V8 engine that helped this giant speed up from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.6 seconds and reach the top speed of 110 miles per hour, according to F150Hub. Equally important, this performance-focused pickup had impressive towing and hauling capacity. For example, the max payload capacity for the 1995 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning was 1,455 lbs, which was pretty impressive for the 1990s.
Considering the incredible attributes of the 1993-1995 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that even a global superstar like Lady Gaga owns a 1993 model. In the past, American paparazzi have photographed the singer and actress driving a red 1993 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning around L.A. Lady Gaga is a celebrity worth an estimated $320,000,000. Basically, she could afford any exotic or supercar on the planet, and yet, she chose to stay humble and drive a red pickup. Bravo to Lady Gaga for remaining authentic and modest.
Sources: F150Hub, CNN, Edmunds, Buy Sell Search, Carfax, Hemmings, and Hagerty