We all know that the vintage car market has gone somewhat bonkers as of late, fueled by a period of pandemic premium pricing that, like inflation, has shown little sign of cooling off. In fact, it’s getting increasingly difficult to enter into the collector car marketplace with less than $20,000 to burn in order to find a vehicle you can both own and later sell for a profit.
While it’s certainly not all about making a killing, there is some comfort that comes from knowing your four-wheeled investment isn’t a money-losing proposition. And like everything in life, it takes money to make money, and buying at the sub-$10,000 level doesn’t necessarily guarantee you a significant amount of “flip” potential unless your purchase price is near zero (which can happen.)
So, then - what about a sign? Porcelain signs from the gas stations and factories of yesteryear are commanding very strong money at all of today’s major auctions, which have seemingly added an entire segment of the auction catalog to automobilia. While these venues are challenging to find a deal in, there are numerous off-the-grid farm auctions happening near every weekend if you know where to look.
Miller & Miller’s March 11 auction in Ontario saw a pair of “White Rose” gasoline service station signs sell for a heady $63,130. A Dodge Trucks / DeSoto porcelain neon sign netted the seller a healthy $5,900. A Canadian 1930s Red Indian Gasoline porcelain sign, expected to sell for between $7,000 and $9,000, blasted through its estimate to land at close to $13,000.
While the appeal of vintage garage decor has been known for years, now it’s a potential avenue for enthusiasts to explore as a way to enjoy the hobby and make some money - and just like a well-maintained car, provenance is key when it comes to buying the best and most desirable signage.