Anticipating the next rising classic stars...
Discussion
robert78 said:
Nors said:
I've discussed this with mates many times, with particular reference to Mk1 & 2 Ford Escorts. In 10 or 15 years time, are there really going to be people coming through that are going to pay £20+k for an old Ford Escort? They probably won't even know what it is, let alone pay all that money for one!!
Mk1 Ford Escorts are already £20k+ now, and the term "old ford escort" would be maybe more appropriate when they were 10/15 years old, like most cars coming to the end of their life..But they are well past this initial phase and on the rise as classics now. As for kids not knowing what an Escort is, I can't see that being an issue - maybe the masses may not know what a Mk1 Escort is years from now, but thats the same for any niche classic car I guess.
The fact is buying classic cars is, and will continue to be, a hobby for the relatively affluent market of car fanatics - and there will always be a following. An interest in cars won't dry up because of the "Playstation" generation. Just wait until they turn 17 and leave the innocence of computer games for the real thing
It's an interesting point about the demand for cars already deemed classics. I'm into classic Fords, my 1st car was a Mk1 Escort but i'm an anomaly amongst my friends who are into cars. Take classic Fords out of it and i'm only interested in cars from the 80's, 90's and early 00's.
I have no interest in anything British Leyland, wouldn't want anything from the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's. You wouldn't be able to give me a Triumph Stag, a Morris Minor, a classic Mini, etc. I'd say it's the same for most of my friends. I can see the demand dieing off. I appreciate things like the Lotus Elan, Alfa Spiders, etc but i'd take an Escort Cosworth over them.
One car that baffles me is the Celica GT4 ST205. Good looking car, capable in it's day, was rallied so has good pedigree yet the values are rock bottom. You can pick them up for 2k. It seems like it's been left behind value wise by it's contemporaries. STI Subaru's, Evo's, Escort Cosworth, Lancia Integrale, etc. That being said, I wouldn't put my money into one expecting the value to rise, Toyota's generally don't seem to. The AE86 has (I own one) but the MK1 MR2 which is the same generation (and same engine) is still rock bottom all these years later, Mk2 MR2 turbo's are rock bottom still. It's strange and not a Japanese only thing as people pay daft money for old Honda's.
Vincefox said:
E36 coupes, preferably manual, m variants. The m3 has already started climbing noticeably.
Ford pumas won't rise for a while yet, but are worth getting if a good one turns up.
Are they though?Ford pumas won't rise for a while yet, but are worth getting if a good one turns up.
How many were made how many left? The E30 M3 was a road car made to meet racing requirements which was fairly successful. The E36 M3/M3 EVO wasn't instead produced in vastly higher numbers and the age old statement the EVO has half an McLaren F1 under its bonnet but apparently the Evos lose power and very few have or ever had the 321bhp from the factory claimed.
Ditto the racing puma - "all" that is special about it is it was made in limited numbers looked good and had the Cosworth/RS folk building it. Just because they made a variant in limited numbers doesn't mean it's a classic. Heck look at the Metro Mayfair or lardipop versions or Twist all limited editions but are they classic... Are they worth anything... I'd wager to many not.
You're painting the The Racing Puma out to be a mere badge job, that's wrong and shows you know nothing about them. They were designed off the back of the Puma rallying program, they had bespoke wide arches, a wider track, a tuned engine, Alcon 4 pot brakes, Sparco bucket seats, etc. I think they are very collectable and will appreciate. They look fantastic, it's just a shame they weren't more powerful.
Welshbeef said:
Are they though?
Ditto the racing puma - "all" that is special about it is it was made in limited numbers looked good and had the Cosworth/RS folk building it. Just because they made a variant in limited numbers doesn't mean it's a classic. Heck look at the Metro Mayfair or lardipop versions or Twist all limited editions but are they classic... Are they worth anything... I'd wager to many not.
My nephew owns one and I've worked on it....Ditto the racing puma - "all" that is special about it is it was made in limited numbers looked good and had the Cosworth/RS folk building it. Just because they made a variant in limited numbers doesn't mean it's a classic. Heck look at the Metro Mayfair or lardipop versions or Twist all limited editions but are they classic... Are they worth anything... I'd wager to many not.
The engine has been modified, the front track control arms are modified, the steering has been modified, the fronts hubs have been modified, the gearbox is different.The suspension is Koni and unique to the FRP. It has four pot Alcon racing callipers on the front and discs on the back (no other puma does). The exhaust is modified, the front and rear bumpers are different, it has aluminum front wings, the rear arches from the rear window down have been modified in metal.It cost Ford more for each car than they made on it.
The seats, door cards have been changed and only 500 where hand built with an individual number for each.
What's so special about that?! BMW M3 CSL's have less modified and they are now big bucks!
Escy said:
I can't understand why they didn't? Apparently it was known as the Puma RS during development. They'd be worth even more if they did have an RS badge.
When released there was no RS at all on sale.Ford just didn't think RS was appropriate at the time,then the Focus came along and they'd used ST already and there was a WRC
Programme so it had to use RS on that.
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