Future classic cars to invest in now

Classic cars are a great investment. All it comes down to is predicting the cars that are going to be worth 2, 3, 4 or even 5 times their original value. It might seem easy but it’s actually quite tricky to pick the right car. So, to help you out, we’ve gone ahead and put together a list of future classic cars that we think are likely to go up in value as time goes on.

Future classic cars to invest in now
Picking a classic to invest in is easy… picking a modern car to invest in can be quite hard.

Our aim is to help you pick a bargain now and cash in later on. But first, let’s have a look at how to spot a future classic.

How to find a future classic car?

Finding a future classic car to invest in is a challenging thing to do. If you get it wrong, you could be funnelling money into a dead investment from the get-go.

Future classic cars to invest in now
Some investors will remain loyal to certain brands which can have it’s advantages and disadvantages

Many people have tried and failed with what can be seen as a speculative gamble, many of them deciding to purchase a car from brand new and keeping it in the hopes that it will become something special. Only to find out that the car they picked hasn’t quite achieved the high value, classic status they were hoping for. So it pays to invest carefully and wisely.

How many are there?

One of the best ways to tell if a car will be a future classic is to look at how many have been made during its production phase. You can often tell that if very few cars were produced, it was either a flop or simply a Limited Edition model.

Future classic cars to invest in now
Some of the most recent Aston Martin Zagato’s have been built in limited numbers which immediately creates a price bubble around those models

Both this can be a good thing as it means they are rare and can potentially hold their value years later. If you buy before the market realises how rare and special they are, you could be on to a winner!

Year of manufacture

If the model had a very short production run, it will mean that there were very few made. When numbers are low, it can come down to supply and demand. And with low production numbers and high demand, you could be looking at a bidding war when collectors try to buy them up.

Future classic cars to invest in now
Special Limited Edition models can often retain their value due to their exclusivity

Also worth looking at are first edition’s of new models. Brand new models often have a certain purity of design that collectors look for. So always keep an eye for those Mk1 editions of cars as they might be a bit special.

Heritage

If the manufacturer has a great heritage, you could be sitting on a great classic car for the future. Manufacturers like Ferrari, Ford, Lancia and Audi all have a great name in the motoring world. They’ve produced come of the most iconic cars; anything from the F40, to the Lancia 037 that faced the Audi Quattro in the World Rally Championship in 1983.

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
The sight of a Lanica 037 rally car will have fans week at the knees…. then there’s the price of a Works Rally Lancia…!!!

Because of these kinds of histories, to the right people, these cars are now worth more than you’d imagine. Plus the fact that Lancia has stopped making cars, only heightens the nostalgia for the former Italian firms heyday. Which are all part of the magic ingredients that can help drive up values.

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
Rally heritage can help drive up prices of certain cars, like the Audi UR Quattro which has taken off in recent years.

Future classic cars to buy now

One of the hardest things to do is to find the right car that’s on the market right now that’s worth investing in. It’s a risky endeavour and so with that in mind, it’s worth doing a fair amount of research. A lot of the time people don’t know what they’re looking for or how to predict which car is going to be an appreciating asset. There’s simply so many potentials to choose from. So here are a few of our predicted future classics…



Jaguar XK8

Jaguar is the great British luxury brand that has made some iconic cars over the decades. From the F-type to their all-electric I-Type 4 that races in the Formula E, their current crop of cars retain that heritage connection that has made Jaguar a driving force in the car industry since the 1930s.

Future classic cars to invest in now
The Jaguar XK8 took a lot of inspiration from the legendary E-Type – image credit Thibault Le Mer on Flickr

The XK8 is a gorgeous rendition of the E-Type, an attempt to follow on from the less well recieved XJS. The V8 powered XK coupe and convertible was a radical change to the XJS, it’s curves taking it’s cues from the E-Type.

Future classic cars to invest in now
The Jaguar XK8R supercharged V8 is the one to look out for – image credit SoulRider222 on Flickr

The one to watch in this model line up is the XKR, which is the supercharged version of the glorious Jaguar V8. While the standard XK8 was a comfortable grand tourer, with a fine balance of power and refinement, the supercharged ‘R’ was built for speed and power and was aimed at those who wanted the most BHP from their 2+2 Jaguar.

Future classic cars to invest in now
The XK8 convertible was a popular choice for those wanting that Jaguar roadster experience – image credit Alden Jewell on Flickr

Despite being a modern car, the XK8 is prone to a bit of rot so you do need to check the body over carefully. And the V8 engine can be problematic if it hasn’t been maintained properly.  If it has, then you could be sitting on a gold mine in just a few years time. The one to aim for is the XKR’s built in 1997. Only 11 coupes and 12 convertibles were built in the XKR’s first year. Which means they will be highly sought after by collectors.

BMW 8 Series E31

The BMW 8 series was the German marques flag ship 2+2 coupe and the first of it’s generation. Admired for it’s sleek tapered nose with a sporting GT style and cool pop-up headlights, the BMW 8 Series was the ultimate driving machine of the 1990s. It delivered effortless power from the entry level 4.0 ltr V8 and battleship levels of grunt from the mighty 5.6 ltr V12.

Future classic cars to invest in now
The BMW 8 Series set new standards for luxury GT coupes – image credit Rick W Dryve on Flickr

One of the drawbacks of flagship luxury cars it that they lose a vast amount of their value over the years. Due to their high running costs the E31 depreciated like a stone, making them very cheap cars to buy once they reached the ripe age of fifteen. As a result the market has started to realise that the BMW 8 Series is actually an interesting buy with prices now starting to rise for good examples.

Future classic cars to invest in now
The 8 Series has great presence and with quad exhausts and fat rear tyres it means business! – image credit Shane K on Flickr



The V12 is the one most fans want since it has the biggest engine, but the 4.o also provides plenty of refined power for long distance trips. However as a investment the Alpina B12 5.0 and 5.7 are the most sought after models due to their rarity. So if you can find one of those for the right price, it could be worth a look.

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
Prices for good BMW 8 Series has been rising steadily as the market cottons on to their value

Toyota MR2

The Toyota MR2 was the must have pocket sports car of the 1990s. With its 2-litre mid mounted engine and sharp handling, it became a firm favourite of JDM fans. The GT and Turbocharged models bring even more to the table with a dramatic increase in horsepower; from 119bhp to 225bhp!

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
The Toyota MR2 Mk2 brought soft curves and smoother lines to the second generation sports car – image credit zombieite on Flickr

It proved so popular it was actually dubbed the Baby Ferrari and followed on from the hugely successful MR2 Mk1. And some models came with the desirable T-Top option, basically two removable glass panels which turned it into a targa convertible.

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
The MR2 Turbo is highly sought after in the JDM circle – image credit Ernesto Andrade on Flickr

The ones to look for in the Mk2 range are the GT or turbocharged versions. The standard model looks great but is slightly underpowered at 119BHP. The MR2 Turbos gave the mid engined sports car the power boost it need and are all Japanese import, as they weren’t officially sold here in the UK. But they’re worth the effort to import as it’s the model fans crave. Right now standard MK2 MR2’s are still realtively cheap so they are certainly worth investigating.

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
The Toyota MR2 Mk2 is a fun sports car making it a popular choice as an affordable track day car – image credit Grant C on Flickr

Vauxhall VX220

Vauxhall is the British brand that you see on every corner and has been an influential part of the automotive history since 1903. The Vauxhall VX220 was launched in 1999 and was an attempt by the then GM brand to break into the two seat sports car market. The VX220 was built in the same factory as the Elise, so you know any sports car that has been developed and built by Lotus is going to be a bit special.

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
The Vauxhall VX220 was the GM firms first two seat sports car collaboration with Lotus – image credit The Car Spy on Flickr

Find your perfect Classic Car on eBay Motors

While the Vauxhall brand isn’t hugely desirable, a real collector will see the VX220 for what it really is. And that is a lightweight sports car that is fun to drive and has plenty of power. All sprinkled with that touch of Lotus magic. If you look at the 2.0 turbocharged VX220, you’ll see that it produced 200BHP! This is the one to buy if you are looking to invest!

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
The VX220 was a stripped down lightweight sports car for both the road and track – image credit The Car Spy on Flickr

Or if you want something even more rare then keep an eye out for the VXR220. This special edition was tuned to 220BHp and had features that weren’t available in the standard VX220. It’s also worth noting that you can expect to pay around 20% less for the Vauxhall VX220s when compared to it’s sister car, the Lotus Elise!

https://www.taketotheroad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/article-145-classics-central-may-auction-review-24.jpg
The Vauxhall VX220’s sharp styling didn’t win a huge fan base when launched but it is now a sought after car – image credit Steve Glover on Flickr

Article Contributor Bio:

Andy King, Jamjar.com – Jamjar.com
Andy has been a car lover for as long as he can remember, his company; Jamjar.com offer and easy way to get a free quote for your van or car with no personal information needed. After seeing the heritage in the British car manufacturing world, Andy is still looking for that perfect classic car to invest in. But he’s got his eyes on all of the above!

Get your Classic Car on Today’s Roads: Audi Quattro Tyre Alternatives

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: The Top 8 Safest Cars on the Market | Jamjar

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *