The problem out there is that 26k asking price is probably for a 10-12k car. Don't forget that the valuations from folks like Hagerty are 26k for a perfect, untouched, 100% original car that can win shows as an original, as is. Most cars out there that are listed at an asking price of 20k plus are not 20k cars. People see a 30k, 5,000 mile foxbody sell at the big auctions and think their car is worth the same. That 5,000 mile car is a 1 out of 100 maybe (low mileage bubble car) still out there. That's where the value is. Once your car ages beyond being a bubble car, value drops - alot.
The exception to that is modified cars. The value here is not what it cost, but what someone else is willing to pay to take a chance that the mods you did were done right and still improve the cars performance/appearance.
Just my 2 cents