Future classics top ten
Discussion
List stolen from classic cars forsale , but I must say apart from the rover 75 looks pretty spot on to me
Suppose you’ve got motoring’s equivalent of Mystic Meg’s crystal ball. What do you reckon it’d reveal as being the classic car stars of tomorrow?
One of the most fascinating pieces I’ve written for Classic Car Weekly so far is a rundown of what the secondhand experts at CAP have chosen as their candidates for automotive investments, which is as intriguing for what didn’t make the cut as the 20 modern motors which did. Everyone’s got their opinion as to what’ll be the stars of shows up and down the land in 10 or 15 years’ time, and with the article done and dusted I can finally get a few of my own favourites off my chest...
1) Mazda MX-5 (1989 – 1998) The fact no less than four of the Classic Car Weekly team have owned one – including Yours Truly – speaks volumes about this ultra-reliable, ultra-fun and, for the time being at least, ultra-cheap rear-drive ragtop. Consider my shoes eaten if this isn’t a mainstay of the classic movement in 15 years time.
2) Peugeot 106 GTI/Rallye (1997 – 2004) Brilliant fun, perfectly packaged and already becoming increasingly sought after by hot hatch hunters. In fact, it’s looking increasingly likely the MX-5-shaped void in my life might get filled by a 106 GTI. Should I? Shouldn’t I?
3) Rover 75 (1999 - 2005) I’ve already written that Rover’s swansong is tomorrow’s P6, and I still reckon a well-looked example – or its sportier sister, the MG ZT – is as cheap as it’s ever going to be. There’s plenty on offer right now for under a grand, but give it a decade and good examples of these gentle giants will be sought after.
4) Ford Racing Puma (2000) You could argue the little Puma is tomorrow’s Capri, in which case this is the ultra-rare Tickford (in fact, just like its turbocharged Capri ancestor, the Racing Puma is a Tickford creation). Prices are already much higher than the standard Pumas, but with the rarity of the Racing Puma and the loyal following it’s already attracting, there’s only one way prices will go.
5) Renault Wind (2010 - 2011) I might have enjoyed the French firm’s Twingo-based two seater when it was new but the Great British Public didn’t, so while it’s a bit of a flop now its rarity should count in its favour. Quirky styling and fantastically simple flipping metal roof are bonus points on a car that, even now, you don’t see every day.
6) Peugeot 406 Coupe (1997 - 2004) Italian styling house Pininfarina worked wonders with the Parisian repmobile favourite to create a striking beautiful coupe. Best spec is the 3.0 V6 but 2.2 HDi versions are already proving popular with fuel-conscious enthusiasts.
7) Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo (1995 - 2000) As above, but with added Italian flair and loopy amounts of punch from the five-cylinder turbo beneath the bonnet. Any car that manages to make Fiat Tipo underpinnings look this good has got to be in with a shout.
8) Subaru Impreza Turbo (1994 - 2000) The original, four-door versions of the Scooby Pretzel are cheap now – you can, if you look carefully, pick them up for less than £1,500 – but it won’t be long before they’re being coveted as classics. Escort RS2000s, remember, were cheap and plentiful a long time ago...
9) BMW 8-Series (1990 - 1999) CAP’s list included no less than three BMWs, but they missed out this one, which price-wise is where the original 6-Series was 15 years ago. Not that I could afford to run around in a secondhand 850CSi, of course.
10) Volkswagen Polo G40 (1990 - 1994) Only 600 imported into the UK originally and they’re rare, characterful pocket rockets now. Worth seeking one out for the addictive whine the supercharger makes. Plus, they go like stink.
Feel free, however, to disagree...
Suppose you’ve got motoring’s equivalent of Mystic Meg’s crystal ball. What do you reckon it’d reveal as being the classic car stars of tomorrow?
One of the most fascinating pieces I’ve written for Classic Car Weekly so far is a rundown of what the secondhand experts at CAP have chosen as their candidates for automotive investments, which is as intriguing for what didn’t make the cut as the 20 modern motors which did. Everyone’s got their opinion as to what’ll be the stars of shows up and down the land in 10 or 15 years’ time, and with the article done and dusted I can finally get a few of my own favourites off my chest...
1) Mazda MX-5 (1989 – 1998) The fact no less than four of the Classic Car Weekly team have owned one – including Yours Truly – speaks volumes about this ultra-reliable, ultra-fun and, for the time being at least, ultra-cheap rear-drive ragtop. Consider my shoes eaten if this isn’t a mainstay of the classic movement in 15 years time.
2) Peugeot 106 GTI/Rallye (1997 – 2004) Brilliant fun, perfectly packaged and already becoming increasingly sought after by hot hatch hunters. In fact, it’s looking increasingly likely the MX-5-shaped void in my life might get filled by a 106 GTI. Should I? Shouldn’t I?
3) Rover 75 (1999 - 2005) I’ve already written that Rover’s swansong is tomorrow’s P6, and I still reckon a well-looked example – or its sportier sister, the MG ZT – is as cheap as it’s ever going to be. There’s plenty on offer right now for under a grand, but give it a decade and good examples of these gentle giants will be sought after.
4) Ford Racing Puma (2000) You could argue the little Puma is tomorrow’s Capri, in which case this is the ultra-rare Tickford (in fact, just like its turbocharged Capri ancestor, the Racing Puma is a Tickford creation). Prices are already much higher than the standard Pumas, but with the rarity of the Racing Puma and the loyal following it’s already attracting, there’s only one way prices will go.
5) Renault Wind (2010 - 2011) I might have enjoyed the French firm’s Twingo-based two seater when it was new but the Great British Public didn’t, so while it’s a bit of a flop now its rarity should count in its favour. Quirky styling and fantastically simple flipping metal roof are bonus points on a car that, even now, you don’t see every day.
6) Peugeot 406 Coupe (1997 - 2004) Italian styling house Pininfarina worked wonders with the Parisian repmobile favourite to create a striking beautiful coupe. Best spec is the 3.0 V6 but 2.2 HDi versions are already proving popular with fuel-conscious enthusiasts.
7) Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo (1995 - 2000) As above, but with added Italian flair and loopy amounts of punch from the five-cylinder turbo beneath the bonnet. Any car that manages to make Fiat Tipo underpinnings look this good has got to be in with a shout.
8) Subaru Impreza Turbo (1994 - 2000) The original, four-door versions of the Scooby Pretzel are cheap now – you can, if you look carefully, pick them up for less than £1,500 – but it won’t be long before they’re being coveted as classics. Escort RS2000s, remember, were cheap and plentiful a long time ago...
9) BMW 8-Series (1990 - 1999) CAP’s list included no less than three BMWs, but they missed out this one, which price-wise is where the original 6-Series was 15 years ago. Not that I could afford to run around in a secondhand 850CSi, of course.
10) Volkswagen Polo G40 (1990 - 1994) Only 600 imported into the UK originally and they’re rare, characterful pocket rockets now. Worth seeking one out for the addictive whine the supercharger makes. Plus, they go like stink.
Feel free, however, to disagree...
My prediction list would also include the original Boxster, 1997-1998 model, as will the original Audi TT - especially if you could find one that never had the spoiler mod with hardly any miles, a museum piece for its newsworthy history surely.
Any of the last-of-line MGs will be too (ZR ZS ZT).
Any of the last-of-line MGs will be too (ZR ZS ZT).
I would add the Alfa 156 just for the looks. Saw a fab red one the other day and it still looked fresh.
I'd also add the 2005-9 Mustang (biased, I know) which was a great design in it's own right though this will be tempered by the way they last forever in huge numbers....
I would reject the Renault Wind as it looks like a wooden shoe and is visually disgusting. Nobody wanted it new and no-one will want it in 30 years time. A Clio 182 would be a better bet.
Focus RS/ST170 should be in there too.
I'd also add the 2005-9 Mustang (biased, I know) which was a great design in it's own right though this will be tempered by the way they last forever in huge numbers....
I would reject the Renault Wind as it looks like a wooden shoe and is visually disgusting. Nobody wanted it new and no-one will want it in 30 years time. A Clio 182 would be a better bet.
Focus RS/ST170 should be in there too.
Edited by LuS1fer on Friday 26th April 10:28
BMW E30 6 cylinder, BMW E46 M3 CSL, VW Corrado VR6, Vauxhall VX220/Lotus Elise, Saab 900 (79-94), Porsche 964/ 993, TVR Chimarea/Griffith, BMW 1M, Subaru Impreza P1, Porsche 944 Turbo, Boxster Spyder, Honda S2000, Toyota Celica GT4, Lotus Élan S2, MGRV8, BMW E39 M5, Polo G40, BMW E36 M3 Evo Manual Gearbox, Audi S2 Estate, Mazda RX7, Range Rover (pre 94), Alfa GTV V6, Renault A610, Ford Escort/Sierra RS Cosworth, Mercedes Benz 190 2.5.16, Lancia Delta Integrale,
Edited by billzeebub on Friday 26th April 12:27
Good list.
Regarding the Polo G40 there were only officially 500 imported and allowing for a few extras that have been imported from Europe less a few dozen that I know have been stripped/scrapped/reshelled I'd estimate there are probably around 200 left.
I would also include the Corrado in the list to as prices have bottomed out so now all the very cheapest ones are ending up being stripped/scrapped to provide spares for the best ones to stay on the road. Plus more and more are ending up as weekend toys and being retired from daily duties.
Regarding the Polo G40 there were only officially 500 imported and allowing for a few extras that have been imported from Europe less a few dozen that I know have been stripped/scrapped/reshelled I'd estimate there are probably around 200 left.
I would also include the Corrado in the list to as prices have bottomed out so now all the very cheapest ones are ending up being stripped/scrapped to provide spares for the best ones to stay on the road. Plus more and more are ending up as weekend toys and being retired from daily duties.
Four Litre said:
irocfan said:
Crossfire - yes it's totally marmite but it had the balls to be what the TT dreamed of being
Are they actually any good, from what I remember they had horredous reviews??Clarksons statement was "Anybody who knows anything about cars wouldnt buy one!"
Personally I prefer my Crossfire to the TT I had, rides better, has a nicer engine noise, is nicer to sit in and isn't everywhere. Maybe I've just hit very lucky but the build quality in mine seems every bit as good as the TT so no issues for me there either
Four Litre said:
irocfan said:
Crossfire - yes it's totally marmite but it had the balls to be what the TT dreamed of being
Are they actually any good, from what I remember they had horredous reviews??Clarksons statement was "Anybody who knows anything about cars wouldnt buy one!"
I would say:
Renault Clio 182 Trophy
Renault Megane R26r
Corrado G60, most have been sacrificed for the engine
Honda Integra DC2, cult status now
Vauxhall Calibra 4x4 Turbo, not exactly the bast car in the world but when's the last time you saw one?
Vauxhall Cavalier GSI2000
Rover 600ti, highly underrated
Peugeot 306 Rallye
Ford Focus RS Mk1
Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
Renault Clio 182 Trophy
Renault Megane R26r
Corrado G60, most have been sacrificed for the engine
Honda Integra DC2, cult status now
Vauxhall Calibra 4x4 Turbo, not exactly the bast car in the world but when's the last time you saw one?
Vauxhall Cavalier GSI2000
Rover 600ti, highly underrated
Peugeot 306 Rallye
Ford Focus RS Mk1
Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
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