What sub £20k classics are in demand?
Discussion
I think you need to be looking at the 1990's. Imagine 20 years from now, the buyers of 40 year old cars will be after MX5s, fast Fords, GTIs early Discoveries and the like. People who grew up in the 1990s won't want the rusty, poorly screwed togethr porridge that the rest of us lust after, and we'll be sufficiently old that we'll want to sell all our 1960's junk just to buy a new set of teeth or a bed in a care home.
Who in 20 years time would want a MX5, or any "classic" from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Yes improvements and reliability have improved but they're not a patch on the curvaceous and stylish classics from the 50s and 60s. I see Mazda MXs all the time and they're nothing special in looks, just plain looking 2 seater convertibles. I agree that Moggies and Midgets aren't exactly in demand, but the reason they are popular is because they are affordable to buy and affordable to run; they appeal to the 99% of us normal people who aren't rolling in money.
Jukebag said:
Who in 20 years time would want a MX5, or any "classic" from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Yes improvements and reliability have improved but they're not a patch on the curvaceous and stylish classics from the 50s and 60s. I see Mazda MXs all the time and they're nothing special in looks, just plain looking 2 seater convertibles. I agree that Moggies and Midgets aren't exactly in demand, but the reason they are popular is because they are affordable to buy and affordable to run; they appeal to the 99% of us normal people who aren't rolling in money.
Classics have to tug at the heartstrings. If you were born in 1990, then its unlikely that much from the 1950s will have any resonance with you. I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but it does to the majority.I was born in 69, and I have little interest in much from the 1950s, because none of it featured in my formative years. Cars from the 60s and 70s did, however, and its those that I find most desirable.
The car buyers of the future will have less interest in spannering, because its not something they learned at an early age. I was grinding valves and changing camshafts with my dad when I was a kid, and it still enjoy tinkering today.
Classic Japanese stuff is making more and more. Comes with the usual issues of parts availability and rust though. I'm still surprised at how stuff like Lotus Sunbeams aren't fetching huge sums, unless you look at this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980-Lotus-Sunbeam-Talbo...
however, with 50k lavished on it, it didn't include getting the drivers side decals straight it would seem.
If I ever had 50 grand, it certainly wouldn't go on this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980-Lotus-Sunbeam-Talbo...
however, with 50k lavished on it, it didn't include getting the drivers side decals straight it would seem.
If I ever had 50 grand, it certainly wouldn't go on this.
I cannot believe that Lotus Sunbeam is £50,000.
I suppose it does depend on what era you were born in and what cars of the time resonated with you. But there's no doubt that cars from the 50s and 60s (the more exotic and expensive types) had a style and charm about them which absent later on.
I suppose it does depend on what era you were born in and what cars of the time resonated with you. But there's no doubt that cars from the 50s and 60s (the more exotic and expensive types) had a style and charm about them which absent later on.
Jukebag said:
Who in 20 years time would want a MX5, or any "classic" from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Yes improvements and reliability have improved but they're not a patch on the curvaceous and stylish classics from the 50s and 60s. I see Mazda MXs all the time and they're nothing special in looks, just plain looking 2 seater convertibles. I agree that Moggies and Midgets aren't exactly in demand, but the reason they are popular is because they are affordable to buy and affordable to run; they appeal to the 99% of us normal people who aren't rolling in money.
That's your opinion though and the younger generation will disagree with you.The classics of the 50s and 60s are seen as rusty, slow ancient cars, when the hot hatches of the 70s, 80s, 90s were lusted after by the youth of the day, even if they couldn't afford them.
Look now at the cars starting to bring good money at the classic auctions.
Golf GTIs, Ford RS and XR models, 205 GTIs, early turbo hot hatches, they are all regularly selling for £10k plus with the odd low miler doing considerably more.
Jukebag said:
I cannot believe that Lotus Sunbeam is £50,000.
It'll never sell for that, despite the 'F1 connection history'. It might (and that's a big might) sell for about half that figure, if they are lucky.Its a dealer trying it on, hoping there is someone out there with more money than sense.
"Jukebag said:
I cannot believe that Lotus Sunbeam is £50,000.
It'll never sell for that, despite the 'F1 connection history'. It might (and that's a big might) sell for about half that figure, if they are lucky.
Its a dealer trying it on, hoping there is someone out there with more money than sense."
In fact that car has had more than £50k spent on it by the actual dealer / owner (including the original purchase price) This is not the dealer who is currently advertising the car.
It's certainly worth more than £25k Graham - standard restored / top condition cars are selling at that money ..... & even more. This is a one-off / unique Talbot / Lotus car, with a fully documented history & restoration, & is worth whatever anyone if prepared to pay.
Also it's obviously a LHD car, & has been meticulously restored to original spec, & hence is really targeted at the mainland European market where selling prices are around 20% higher than in the UK on a like-for-like car basis - but only if they are built to original spec. The dealer who owns this particular car has very recently sold fully UK restored LHD cars into France for in excess of £35k (the euro equivalent)
RHD UK Lotus Sunbeam cars have however been very recently available for sub £20k, so could qualify here.
I cannot believe that Lotus Sunbeam is £50,000.
It'll never sell for that, despite the 'F1 connection history'. It might (and that's a big might) sell for about half that figure, if they are lucky.
Its a dealer trying it on, hoping there is someone out there with more money than sense."
In fact that car has had more than £50k spent on it by the actual dealer / owner (including the original purchase price) This is not the dealer who is currently advertising the car.
It's certainly worth more than £25k Graham - standard restored / top condition cars are selling at that money ..... & even more. This is a one-off / unique Talbot / Lotus car, with a fully documented history & restoration, & is worth whatever anyone if prepared to pay.
Also it's obviously a LHD car, & has been meticulously restored to original spec, & hence is really targeted at the mainland European market where selling prices are around 20% higher than in the UK on a like-for-like car basis - but only if they are built to original spec. The dealer who owns this particular car has very recently sold fully UK restored LHD cars into France for in excess of £35k (the euro equivalent)
RHD UK Lotus Sunbeam cars have however been very recently available for sub £20k, so could qualify here.
Vintage Racer said:
Mercedes SL (R129) - Been undervalued for way too long, but prices going up quickly now.
Style, comfort, economy...................well, two out of three aint bad!
I would agree with the above, however that they are so well made and parts readily available there's been a high survival rate so there are relatively plenty out there. The 107 SL you should still be able to find a decent example for £20k. Rust is the biggest killer although there are fixes RE bulkhead and sills.Style, comfort, economy...................well, two out of three aint bad!
If you want a Mercedes 90s drop top what about the A124 E-Class? E320/220 plenty about and has 4-seats. It's predecessor (ok S-Class W111) now commands £100k+ And in some cases £350k!!! While the successor the CLK won't really go up due to build and numbers. The 124 can be bought from anything from £5k-£20k for top end examples.
Vintage Racer said:
Mercedes SL (R129) - Been undervalued for way too long, but prices going up quickly now.
you're telling me!Been looking for one for around 6 months, not black,silver or grey and not at the other end of the country.
There are still some going for £5-6k but the ones that were that price, people are now asking £9-10K
Think I've missed that boat, the E46M3 too.
Of course they might not actually be selling at that price....
Kierkegaard said:
If you want a Mercedes 90s drop top what about the A124 E-Class? E320/220 plenty about and has 4-seats. It's predecessor (ok S-Class W111) now commands £100k+ And in some cases £350k!!! While the successor the CLK won't really go up due to build and numbers. The 124 can be bought from anything from £5k-£20k for top end examples.
A lovely 4 seater droptop but net quite the power of the 500SLFind me a nice one for a reasonable price and I can take the wife, bairn & maybe the dogs too
S3_Graham said:
anything with an ///M badge (and engine) thats currently less than £20k
Very true. I've just sold a 2003 M3 coupe manual with 98k miles for £10k. Had over a dozen phone calls in 48 hrs and sold it to the second person who saw it. I may regret selling it, crystal ball etc80quattro said:
S3_Graham said:
anything with an ///M badge (and engine) thats currently less than £20k
Very true. I've just sold a 2003 M3 coupe manual with 98k miles for £10k. Had over a dozen phone calls in 48 hrs and sold it to the second person who saw it. I may regret selling it, crystal ball etcGassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff