80's and 90's cars to become classics???

breanoh

I have been having this debate with my dad over the last couple of weeks, and I know that it is a very contentious issue in the classic car world, But what car (s) from the 80's and 90's do you think will be classics? I am 21, with an interest in Classics, of all varieties, but I am thinking of people in my own age group who will/ are looking at classic cars now, and what we will see as classics in 10 or 20 years time, or even now.
My list is:
MK1 Fiesta,
MK1 Micra,
Renault 21,
Renault 9 (obviously)
Mk2 Golf
Mk2 Jetta
Fiat Uno,
BMW 3 series
Mazda MX5
Seat Ibiza/Cordoba
Peugeot 306
Peugeot 206

Any more Ideas? and what do you all think of the selection?

commited

Seat Ibiza/Cordoba
Peugeot 306
Peugeot 206

No to the above, but the rest, aye probably.. Possibly not the mk1 Micra for a long long long time though
I think most sporty coupes, such as Alfas, mercs etc will become classics. It's generally cars that are rare/quick/nostalgic that become classics...

spidersonmars

Three that I would Add.

205 GTI
Ford Sierra
Citroen CX

The 206 is not in the same league as a 205 1.9GTI
The ford Sierra (Aero) body because they are a forgotton car.
The CX because it's only now that people appriciate how good it was and is.

The_Magoo

I would be inclinded to think along the lines of:
VW Corrado VR6
Opel Calibra 4x4 Turbo,
Anything Cosworth, sierra, escort,
GTis, Peugeot, VW
Slightly more hundrum,
Unos, espically the 1.4 turbo,
Alfa 33, Suds, already obtainingg classic status,
E30 BMWs
Mk 3 Escorts, not the more recent ones, too boring and crap.
Peugeot 405s
89-93 celicas
Audi Coupes
Any merc coupes
List goes on and on
(Calibra is a personal favourite)

Squirrel

I think the mazda 323F with the pop-up headlights should be, but it's difficult to predict with more mainstream cars. 205 GTI, 306 GTI-6 perhaps

breanoh

I think that the Micra will become a favourite! So many people have good memories of them! The ibiza/cordoba is a classic waiting to happen imo, The design is still fresh over 10 years on, and I still find myself standing admiring them. The 206 the same. I am just thinking of what myself and my friends either drive or want to drive. The 205 is out in a league of its own, and is guarenteed Classic status. The 323F is certainly another one that I forgot! And as for the CX, well, citroens are always going to be contraversial.

Donie75

Here's my list: Okay a few are repeats but they are worth repeating
BMW 3 series E30 especially convertibles
BMW 6 series
Audi Quattro
Audi Coupe & Coupe Cabriolet (early 90's)
Peugeot 205 GTi
Mazda MX5
VW Golf GTi Mk 1 & 2
VW Corrado
VW Sirrocco
Merc SL
Merc G Wagon
Ford Escort or Sierra Cosworth
Volvo 850 T5 or 850 R
Honda NSX
Honda 2000
Lancia Delta Integrale
Nissan Skyline
Subaru Impreza Turbo
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
Saab Convertible
Renault Alpina GTA
Renault Clio Willams
Toyota MR2 (First Model)

I'd personnally love a BMW E30 convertible or an Audi Convertible.. Some day...

overdriver

commited wrote:

Seat Ibiza/Cordoba
It's generally cars that are rare/quick/nostalgic that become classics...

Like The Morris Minor, beetle, mini etc etc.

It's cars that break the mould, serve a new mass need or whatever that become classics, surely?

Donie75

Oh yeah, I forgot the Opel Manta and the Opel Lotus Omega

Anan1

BMW E28 M5 (the only real one;) )

BMW E30 M3

Alfa 156

--amadeus--

In the main Coommitted is right - it's sporty or performance cars that become guaranteed classics (Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, etc - they could put wheels on a pram and still become classics). Luxury cars (Bently, Roller, some Mercs) also tend to automatically become classics.

For more mainstream models it's tougher but if you look at popular classics now then they tend to have features that differentiate them from teh crowd. The 2CV, Fiat 500, Morris Minor and Beetle are "characterful". The DS was miles ahead of it's time. The Volvo Amazon is robust and easy to work on. Ford Escorts make great rally cars and the Mini is great fun to punt around. Compare that to teh likes of the Hillman Hunter which had nothing to reccomend it and is in no way a desirable classic.

So I have to say that I would disagree with almost all of teh cars on breanoh's list. The Micra? Common as muck and totally dull to look at and drive, why would you want one now never mind when it's 20 or 30 years old? Likewise teh Fiesta, Uno and 306?

There are exceptions - the 306-6 will be a classic one day. The Seat Cupra hot hatch, the 206 GTi (never as good as the 205 GTi). The MX-5 will be as common as teh MGB at shows in a few years. I can't see boggo 316i 's being classics but the bigger engined models (esp coupe and convertable) yes.

The Evo and Impreza (like the Skyline) will be classics of a sort but teh high tech engines will make them hard to maintain I would imagine. That plus the fact they will have been modded and thrashed by prats in hats will push teh values of teh unmolested cars up.

Donnie 75 has a good list. I'd probably add the Honda S2000, BMW 8 series and new 6 series, Alfa 156 (for looks and teh fab V-6), Alfa GTV, Jag XK. Anything distinctive and head turning really!

Blue850

Lancias

breanoh

Why do you buy/ restore the classic you have at the moment? For me its nothing to do with desirability, but all to do with the personal choice, Why do I drive what I drive ie the R9? Because I have so many childhood memories of them, the same with R21's and 4l's.... There are so many people who are the same about the other cars I have listed, while maybe not classics, but what defines the genre? I have loved every Micra I've had, and still have, there is something about them, the same with the Fiesta. The 306 and Ibiza are the same, people like them, and enjoy them. They have character in a car design world that has gone mad (imo) As I have said before, I am only 21, but from chatting to my friends, this is what they think of as classics, one of my friends has a 1986 corolla Diesel in his shed waiting to have the money to restore it, It was his family car up until 2,000, with 300k on it, and why has he kept it? Because it is worth something to him. The same with any classic. I would have no meas in a skyline etc, but that is my opinion. My Father is desperately trying to restore an Old R6, because when he was younger, he had one and has great memories of it. Classics (to me) about nostalgia, and memories, not resale values and kudos. if I wanted that I'd be driving a ferarri.
just my 2 cents, you can agree or disagree.

--amadeus--

I bought the classic I have at the moment because I have lusted after it for years, it goes like stink, should be fairly reliable (it's new to me so thats unproven!) and it makes finaincial sense (no VRT, low tax and insurance and a good resale value). All in all a fairly common set of reasons, even if teh particulars of teh car change.

There will always be individuals who like a particular car for personal reasons - my Dad had a Volvo 343 and loved it and I would have a soft spot for them because of that. But would I want to own or run one? God no. Likewise a lot of people might have fond memories of learning to drive in a Micra or thier Mum having a Fiesta. But when it comes down to buying a 30 yr old Nissan or a 30 yr old Jag XK, Alfa 156 or BMW 325 which do you think the vast majority will actually buy?

You asked what cars from teh 80s / 90s will be classics. That implies having some level of mass appeal and I just can't see the likes of the R9 ever having anything other than a small niche following.

Again, just an opinion.

Max_Damage

Although you's may laugh, I would also think the Lada Riva / Samara / Niva will become classics aswell, if they are not already in Western Europe. Same with Yugo's (haven't seen one of them in at least 5 years) and pre-VW Skoda's.

Also, the Isuzu Gemini or Nissan Cherry anyone?

mike65

Mercedes 190e Cosworth should get a mention.

Mike.

alastair

Fiat Panda
Suzuki Swift GTI Mk2

I bought one of those Nissan Pao's which came up in the jap-retro discussion that popped out of the last 'classic of the future' thread. Lovely car (essentially a Mk 1 Micra that looks like the marriage of a R4 with a mini-moke). I suspect it might be the only one registered here so far.

qazz

BMW e21 (shark nose) especially 323i and Baur Cabrio
VW Scirocco

I think every car kept in good condition will be a classic some day...

ds20prefecture

--amadeus-- wrote:

For more mainstream models it's tougher but if you look at popular classics now then they tend to have features that differentiate them from teh crowd. The 2CV, Fiat 500, Morris Minor and Beetle are "characterful".

I agree to a point. In my opinion, mainstream cars that now have classic status did something to change the face of motoring for a large number of people. In those days, as you point out, innovation sold. The Minor for it's clever packaging. The 2cv for it robust utilitarianism. The 500 for the sheer cleverness of the thing. All of them dominated their home market, and remained dominant for a long period of time. The Beetle dominated the world market, and was the first single model to do so.

The "character" that people speak of I believe was invested in these cars by their loyal owners. Owners who otherwise would not have had a car at all and could only afford independant transport because these cars were so cheap to buy and run. i don't know about you, but for me my first car was my first real taste freedom and independance. The car broadens your horizons, and the horizons of a 1950s man from middle england, rural France or urban italy were very close indeed. So a car - any car - changed their lives immeasurably. Of course they loved the car, and remained loyal to it. In some cases, this love was well deserved - the 2cv and 500 in particular are beautifully designed and engineered cars. The Beetle and Minor are crude by comparison, but not without charm.

For more expensive cars it is the innovators that have iconic status in the classic world. Cars like the DS, the Ro80, the Traction Avant, the Mk II Jag, the Jensen Interceptor were cars that stood out from the sea of humdrum garbage. In many cases they were villified when they were on the market - the very innovation that makes them classics now just meant they were difficult and expensive to work on or repair in their day.

Then you have the others - that sea of old cars that people invest huge amounts of nostalgia and love in because their dad had one. Being Ireland, the bulk of these are British cars which ironically is what the Irish middle classes aspired to and what was largely available. Later it became the Japanese who dominated the market, and therefore the nostalgia glands of the children of their owners. There are some gems here, but mostly its execrable garbage from MG, Morris, BL et al.

For me, most modern (i.e. after 80s) fall into this category. The cars are by and large appliances that have almost nothing to distinguish them from each other, apart from a cynically marketed grille.

junkyard

I certainly hope we don't see Seats, Peugeot's and Citroen's as classics of the future..they were sh**e when they were new so just because they survived into old age they don't deserve to be given classic car status. Its unlikely they'll survive anyway.
I'd say any softtop will survive and most prestige makes as people tend to look after them anyway. Golf GTI's and Escorts XR3 and good spec. 3 series BMW's will make it and no doubt there will be some unexpected ones there too.

Silvera

Donie75 wrote:

Oh yeah, I forgot the Opel Manta and the Opel Lotus Omega

Having owned two so far, I (and many others!) already regard the Manta as a classic!

gerboy

just bought toy mark1 mr2-- classic old lines , fun and fast.
keep them in mind. 2nd hand good one 2.5 up to 4 but you would not regret

Mac 3

Has anyone mentioned the 635CSI (M6) and the E30 Convertibles? They'd be in my lotto garage..

Sorry, I just saw them included in donie75's list

cameraguy

my first car was a mk2 fiat uno (90MO1298) that i bought for £1600 nearly 10 years ago. it wasn't fast(999cc FIRE) or relaible as jap motor, but anythime i see one on the road i think to myself i used to have one of those. it must be nostalgia. i dont think any run of todays cars will become classics because we live in a disposable society where every thing can be replaced for the latest toy or fashion.

Silvera

My first car was a 1981 Ford Escort GL in sunburst red, Reg: 492 GIM. (Wonder if it still around?)

These will definitely start appearing at classic car shows in the coming years.

Eric318

I am not too sure how you define a classic... and this could take us very far... a car that somebody (at least 2 persons so that there can bbe a buyer and a seller at some stage) is prepared to keep in its running condition?

Renault 5 Turbo 1 and 2... awesome
Renault 5 Alpine/Gordini
Renault Alpine A310
Matra Simca Bagheera and Murena

In the fianl analysis, any car really