This might be a better an example for some;

Everyone has heard that a new car depreciates the minute you drive it off the lot. I agree with that proven theory.

In 1996 I moved to California when I accepted a job in the wine industry. At the time I was leasing a 1995 Explorer. Right before the lease ended I purchased a 67 Mustang Convertible for 10,500 dollars. I used the car as my main source of transportation and worked to improve it on the weekends do the majority of the work myself. Two years later I sold the Mustang for $25,000.

Two months later I purchased a 67 Shelby GT-500 for $25,500 and restored it while I drove a used 1985 Ford Ranger pickup as my main transportation which I had purchased for $3000.

Three years later I sold the GT-500 for $85,000 and bought a Shelby 427 Cobra valued at, well a lot of money.

My transportation vehicles have always been nice but most of them are used and I have done my best to maintain them. that keeps them on the road longer and there is a better chance of selling them for great than 50% of the value that I purchased them for.

While the collector cars sit in the garage and increase in value as an investment.

That is the answer to the question; How do you afford a collector car (asset) if you are not wealthy?