I assume they have some influence on actual sale prices, but they have a big influence on asking prices. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have looked at a car for myself or with a friend as an advisor. You always hear, "I've seen these go for lot of money on TV." Two examples: I went to look at a 65 Impala SS with a friend. A widow was selling her late husband's car. It was rough, did not even close to an original drive train, lots of rust, floors were roughly patched with what looked to be 14 gauge sheet steel welded by a blind welder, trashed interior, etc. She wanted $10k for it about 22 years ago. She said her nephew told her not to take a penny less, because they were selling for $40k restored. I told her the car was probably $50k away from being worth that much not counting the purchase price.