Like many older airplanes, the market for Swifts is shrinking. Pre-2008 an average more or less stock Swift (few are still totally stock, despite outward appearance)was $40K and up. Big engines, sticks, bubble canopy, etx was well over $125K. Those prices have never come back.
Demand for many antiques is simply drying up. Most younger folks aren't interested in 70 year old airplanes...or tailwheels. While there were about 1500 Swifts built about 700 remain and approximately 300 are believed airworthy/active according to Swift Museum Foundation.
I have a deposit on mine, pending everyone returning from OSH and fresh annual. I've had it for sale for a year with few serious inquiries. I've watch prices on nice examples continue to drop. It appears there are more than sufficient examples available for those seeking to buy a Swift. Definitely a buyers market and likely will remain that way.
My brother and I were talking about this recently. We grew up in Antique Airplane circles in the 60-70s when out dad was an early member of Antique Airplane Association. We both believe the high point price of most antiques has passed and that prices will continue to decline.
Undoubtedly a few extreme cases will remain such as Staggerwings, Spartans, etc will continue to fetch high prices, but some of the more mundane such as Swift, Stearmans, flat engine Stinsons, etc will continue to decline. Anything mass produced in World War II and during post-war boom has likely run its course. The exception will be those rare exceptions with utility like older C-180, etc
It will be interesting to see what this hangar full of stuff goes for. It is certainly cheaper to buy a fully restored and flying Swift (or any other model) than to have one restored. Swift works or one of the other handful of Swift specialist might buy the lot, but I'd be surprised if it goes for stupid money.
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