Classic experts from across the globe share market intelligence on the models gaining in value – and highlight the ones that are struggling. Market experts from both sides of the Atlantic say prices for 1980s and 1990s modern classics will continue to rise – and they’re predicting that cars from the early 2000s will become hot investment tips.
Cars on the rise named
The Porsche 968, Honda S2000 and Mitsubishi Evo are among those tipped by members of a panel assembled by Hagerty International to assess the current state of the market. They also identified that British classics from the 1950s, particularly Ford saloons and Rootes Group models, are struggling to set the market alight.
The price experts also highlighted – using sales data from the US and Europe – that investment in the classic market is currently offering a quicker return than either gold or the FTSE100, but while they think a price crash similar to the late 1980s is unlikely they did warn that speculators still had the potential to destablise a buoyant market. The panel also said it expected performance cars from the 2000s to be the next ones to find favour with classic car collectors.
Hagerty International managing director Angus Forsyth said: ‘The future cars of interest will be those which would be a screen saver for tomorrow’s collectors – we call it the Top Gear effect, because we know a wide audience including teenagers enjoy seeing the cars that the show features. It’s these cars that are predicted to be the next collectibles of the classic car market.’
Dave Kinney - US-based appraiser of collector vehicles, publisher of Cars That Matter, which evolved intoHagerty's Price Guide.
Buy: The Mitsubishi Evo models have definite potential - but make sure the one you're buying hasn't been abused by previous owners. The Lancia Flaminia Touring Convertible has been seriously undervalued so far, as has the Porsche 968 and Bentley Turbo R.
Sell: 1950s Ford saloons were once cool, while the Ferrari 250GTE has become overvalued in recent years. The Rolls-Royce Spirit and Spur are too large and there are too many for sale.
Hold: Aston Martin Lagonda - the Lagonda name is enjoying a revival. Other top tips include the Mercedes-Benz R107 SL, particularly late 500SLs, the Aston Martin V8 and Jaguar XJ-S.
Rob Sass - Commentator on the classic automobile scene for several American publications including theNew York Times.
Buy: The Porsche 968 has been overlooked and the 966 Turbo still offers good value. Other tips include the Z32-generation of the Nissan 00SX, and the Lamborghini Diablo looks set to follow Countach and Miura price rises.
Sell: Non-sporting offerings from Rootes Group cars just don't speak to the next generation of collectors. Rubber-bumper MGBs - with the exception of the V8 - aren't good investments.
Hold: Any V6-engined Capri in factory spec is worth holding onto - as are unmodified Jaguar E-types and Enzo-era Ferraris, which have a higher than average appreciation rate, so far.
John Mayhead - Insurance valuations expert at Hagerty, editor of the broker's UK e-newsletter, and responsible for web content.
Buy: The VW T2 Bay Window Camper is a good buy - although early split-screens may have risen beyond most budgets, later Westfalias in RHD may still be affordable. The BMW E30 Cabriolet is a classic to buy now, and the Porsche 911 996 Carrera 4S is great value if you can get a low mileage example.
Sell: The Rover P4 has been overtaken by its sell-by date, as has the Jaguar 240/340 (Mk2s are preferable), while the Humber Super Snipe is very much a yesteryear model.
Hold: The Jensen Interceptor offers great value and quality. the Porsche 944 is practical with fantastic handling for under £5k, and 1970s Lamborghinis and Maseratis are moving up.
Damian Jones - Director and consignment specialist at UK auction house H&H with sales at Duxford, Chateau Impney and Buxton.
Buy: The Jaguar XJ220 might have doubled in value in recent years, but it's still a long way behind its peers. The Bentley S2 or S3 Continental are also likely to have some way to go, and Subaru Impreza 22B has great investment potential - if you can get hold of one.
Sell: Bubble cars like the Isetta just aren't as popular as they used to be. Prices for the Toyota 2000GT have been dropping, as have those for Porsche 911 RS Carrera 2.7 lookalikes.
Hold: Jaguar E-type SIII V12s - especially manual roadsters - are worth holding on to. Rolls-Royce Phantom IIContinentals have been lagging, and the Dino 246 has growth potential.
Richard Hudson-Evans - CCFS auction analyst
Buy: Honda S2000s are an interesting choice - this roadster is often too dismissed as being the next step on from an MX-5, but with an amazing VTEC-R engine capable of revving beyond 9000rpm, and edgy handling, it's a challenging and interesting modern classic. Get a Honda S2000 with the lowest possible mileageand full service history - it's cheaper to run than a Boxster. It's almost too late to bag a two-door MkII - preferaby a Mexico or RS2000 - and there may still be growrth to come. The Lotus Exige is a future classic too.
Sell: Thanks largely to its FIA race eligibility the Lotus Cortina MkI has become overvalued, so maybe it's time to cash in. The Lotus Elan Sprint is being troubled by the amount of non-genuine cars out there, and there isn't much call for SII and SII Jaguar E-types with auto 'boxes and Webasto-vandalised roofs.
Hold: RS-badged Fords are seemingly a licence to print money at the moment, with the most interesting models rising at a pace that would keep top-end Ferraris honest at the moment. Predictably, there's more growth for the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth three-door models - although standard cars will be easier to se3ll than modified up ones. The Ford Capri 3.0-litre models are steady appreciators at the moment, with more growth ahead, and the Honda NSX - hardtop with a manual gearbox, please, is a top tip for substantial future growth.