Classics when they were "affordable" - ish
Discussion
Found a few old classics magazines recently that I have laying about, some from the early and late 90s. Looking at some of the classics for sale it amazed me how "affordable" many sportscar and prestige classics you could buy then that have sky rocketed beyond any chance of the average Joe enthusiast ever being able to own one. Some quite surprising ones which seemed dirt cheap compared to their value today:
In a 96 (I think) issue of Practical Classics magazine there was an ad from a dealer selling an Aston Martin DB2/4 for £14,500. Today these cars command money in the £200,000-£600,000 region. There was even a DB6 for £26,000, around the mid 90s I think. Today these cars go for house money.
Plenty of E-Types going for the price of a new family Ford hatchback, one a series 2 FHC for £14,250, said to be in excellent condition (so not a rotten resto project or rolling shell which 14k would just about get you today) and a series 1 2+2 for around 12 grand. Now today even the 2+2 are heading into the 40 grand region.
I wonder how many who sold them during that time and have looked back regretting they'd never sold the thing because of the big money they often fetch now?.
In a 96 (I think) issue of Practical Classics magazine there was an ad from a dealer selling an Aston Martin DB2/4 for £14,500. Today these cars command money in the £200,000-£600,000 region. There was even a DB6 for £26,000, around the mid 90s I think. Today these cars go for house money.
Plenty of E-Types going for the price of a new family Ford hatchback, one a series 2 FHC for £14,250, said to be in excellent condition (so not a rotten resto project or rolling shell which 14k would just about get you today) and a series 1 2+2 for around 12 grand. Now today even the 2+2 are heading into the 40 grand region.
I wonder how many who sold them during that time and have looked back regretting they'd never sold the thing because of the big money they often fetch now?.
Edited by Jukebag on Sunday 5th February 14:45
Edited by Jukebag on Sunday 5th February 14:47
The past you write about isn't that long ago, but please remember what other things (e.g. houses) cost 20-30 years ago and also what salaries were.
Most deals done or not done in ones past life should never be regretted as they were probably right at the time (or you'd not have done the deal). I sold my M type MG in 1959 for £10 and was glad to get it, as the 29-year-old car was in a pretty used-up state and I had nowhere to keep it.
Most deals done or not done in ones past life should never be regretted as they were probably right at the time (or you'd not have done the deal). I sold my M type MG in 1959 for £10 and was glad to get it, as the 29-year-old car was in a pretty used-up state and I had nowhere to keep it.
I agree that most owners make the right decision at the time due to other factors, I.e, nowhere to keep it, health reasons and needing the money for other uses, likely paying off ones mortgage. Money is always a very tempting choice especially if you're not exactly rolling in it. I know plenty of people who would snap your hand off at 10 grand for their classic. And what can you do with 10k?, I don't think you can get a conservatory built from Wickes for that
.
. I remember when leaving college in 1983 I made a pact with my mate. 'First to make a million buys the other a car of his choice' He chose a BMW 323i (a brand new car at the time). I chose an E-type Jag. He laughed and said 'if that's all you want, I'll buy you two of them.'
If you're out there somewhere Paul and you've made your first million, I'll have a BRG soft top and a Cotswold Blue FHC please.
If you're out there somewhere Paul and you've made your first million, I'll have a BRG soft top and a Cotswold Blue FHC please.
droopsnoot said:
I have the same problem, looking through magazines either from the eighties, or from the seventies when my Vauxhall was new. Ah, for the days when a Bentley with racing history was advertised for a bit less than one that hadn't been raced.
Yes, "never raced or rallied" was the message to get you a few quid more for an unmolested unthrashed car.Mind you when I sold a Riley Pathfinder I was arrogant enough to claim "only raced and rallied by experts" . . . Didn't work.
Well I was including both a DB2/4 and DB6 as house money; anything 100k plus.
When prices start hitting the £100,000 mark for a car (any car whether modern or classic) it's time to say "enough, this is getting silly". There are plenty of people, even classic minded types, ive spoken to who will say, "the value of these cars are getting ridiculous now...40k for a Ford Escort?". Even £14,000 in the mid 90s for an E-Type would've been beyond the reach for the majority of people, and 14k today is still alot of money to many.
One thing I noticed in nearly all the ads in those magazines was that the description of the car didn't match the photo, for example a series 2 E-Type described but the included photo was of a series 1. Obviously an editorial issue as they likely didn't have the relevant photo. Now with the internet you can't go wrong I suppose. Speaking of adverts, but I find it curious that very few sellers (from what I've seen that is) rarely include a photo of the engine.
It amazes me that some classics do sell. There's lots of testimonials on Car and classic where people stated they sold their classic within days of placing the advert and were " inundated" with calls within hours. How they sell these cars in such short time with the money they're asking for is beyond me. Tried to sell my dads Lotus 7 type kit car last year for a 5k (ono), and despite a month of being advertised no one interested. Yet someone with their £15,000 MGB roadster, or 70 grand E Type can sell within days.
When prices start hitting the £100,000 mark for a car (any car whether modern or classic) it's time to say "enough, this is getting silly". There are plenty of people, even classic minded types, ive spoken to who will say, "the value of these cars are getting ridiculous now...40k for a Ford Escort?". Even £14,000 in the mid 90s for an E-Type would've been beyond the reach for the majority of people, and 14k today is still alot of money to many.
One thing I noticed in nearly all the ads in those magazines was that the description of the car didn't match the photo, for example a series 2 E-Type described but the included photo was of a series 1. Obviously an editorial issue as they likely didn't have the relevant photo. Now with the internet you can't go wrong I suppose. Speaking of adverts, but I find it curious that very few sellers (from what I've seen that is) rarely include a photo of the engine.
It amazes me that some classics do sell. There's lots of testimonials on Car and classic where people stated they sold their classic within days of placing the advert and were " inundated" with calls within hours. How they sell these cars in such short time with the money they're asking for is beyond me. Tried to sell my dads Lotus 7 type kit car last year for a 5k (ono), and despite a month of being advertised no one interested. Yet someone with their £15,000 MGB roadster, or 70 grand E Type can sell within days.
Jukebag said:
Well I was including both a DB2/4 and DB6 as house money; anything 100k plus.
When prices start hitting the £100,000 mark for a car (any car whether modern or classic) it's time to say "enough, this is getting silly". There are plenty of people, even classic minded types, ive spoken to who will say, "the value of these cars are getting ridiculous now...40k for a Ford Escort?". Even £14,000 in the mid 90s for an E-Type would've been beyond the reach for the majority of people, and 14k today is still alot of money to many.
One thing I noticed in nearly all the ads in those magazines was that the description of the car didn't match the photo, for example a series 2 E-Type described but the included photo was of a series 1. Obviously an editorial issue as they likely didn't have the relevant photo. Now with the internet you can't go wrong I suppose. Speaking of adverts, but I find it curious that very few sellers (from what I've seen that is) rarely include a photo of the engine.
It amazes me that some classics do sell. There's lots of testimonials on Car and classic where people stated they sold their classic within days of placing the advert and were " inundated" with calls within hours. How they sell these cars in such short time with the money they're asking for is beyond me. Tried to sell my dads Lotus 7 type kit car last year for a 5k (ono), and despite a month of being advertised no one interested. Yet someone with their £15,000 MGB roadster, or 70 grand E Type can sell within days.
Sold two of my classics on c&c after the comprehensive ads I wrote out for them had been on for a few weeks, I got plenty of emails and both went for very close to their asking prices. Granted I did get my fair share of time wasters, three of whom failed to show up.When prices start hitting the £100,000 mark for a car (any car whether modern or classic) it's time to say "enough, this is getting silly". There are plenty of people, even classic minded types, ive spoken to who will say, "the value of these cars are getting ridiculous now...40k for a Ford Escort?". Even £14,000 in the mid 90s for an E-Type would've been beyond the reach for the majority of people, and 14k today is still alot of money to many.
One thing I noticed in nearly all the ads in those magazines was that the description of the car didn't match the photo, for example a series 2 E-Type described but the included photo was of a series 1. Obviously an editorial issue as they likely didn't have the relevant photo. Now with the internet you can't go wrong I suppose. Speaking of adverts, but I find it curious that very few sellers (from what I've seen that is) rarely include a photo of the engine.
It amazes me that some classics do sell. There's lots of testimonials on Car and classic where people stated they sold their classic within days of placing the advert and were " inundated" with calls within hours. How they sell these cars in such short time with the money they're asking for is beyond me. Tried to sell my dads Lotus 7 type kit car last year for a 5k (ono), and despite a month of being advertised no one interested. Yet someone with their £15,000 MGB roadster, or 70 grand E Type can sell within days.
Hugh Jarse said:
Plenty of reasonably priced stuff if you avoid the cliche models.
Indeed. Things will go pop, they have done before. Late 80s saw E types go from stupid money to not much at all, similar things will happen to 80's 911s when people realise that they hand in bills like any 30 yr old car, they rust, and there are better newer cars available. I would have had another 2CV but that ship has sailed and they are all £2k plus. Sod that, for a 2CV. Far more fun to be had from an MX5, MR2, CTR, Swift GTi, Celica, you name it. The same goes for the higher value stuff. I can lash out £40k on a 993 or for half that I can have a recent Boxster/Cayman that handles better and won't break down. There's a sweet spot in the depreciation vs repairs curve, modern cars around 100k miles have nearly no value but will do another 100k without handing in huge bills. Go on then.
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