Classic/collectible Cars

[GTAm]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for some feedback here as I'm doing some research for an article I'm working on. I am looking at interesting classic/collectible cars that can still be found in SL at a what I would like to call an "Affordable Price" by a lot of folk out there. Most of highly sought after classics like MG and TR sports cars, Old Mercs and American Iron command huge prices with demand increasing and supply non-existent.

What are the forgotten gems out there, that are worth saving now for future pleasure and investment potential?

I've divided them into three categories, and list my choices under them. I have selected cars that are generally available if hunted for and avoided very rare cars that one comes across every 5 years or so, for obvious reasons.

Please feel free to comment and add your suggestions.

1. Under-valued true classics

a.) Fiat 1100

b.) Peugeot 404

c.) Fiat 600

d.) ?

2. 70's tunable retro cars

a.) Ford Escort Mk1&2

b.) Fiat 131 Mirafiori

c.) Upali/Mazda 1500/Luce

d.) Upali/Fiat 128

e.) Datsun 510

f.) Mitsu/Colt Celeste

g.) ?

3. Future Classics

a.) Mazda RX7 FC & FD

b.) Honda CRX 1&2

c.) Alfa Romeo 164 Super 3.0 V6

d.) Peugeot 406 Coupe

e.) Early Subaru WRX and Mitsu Evos

f.) Nissan 300ZX

g.) ?

Cheers.

Edited October 23, 2012 by GTAm

[67Dodge]

nice list, what abt the VW golfs (still plenty) & Pug 205?

[GTAm]

nice list, what abt the VW golfs (still plenty) & Pug 205?

Yes thought about the Golf too. Should go into retro rides if at all, as there are only two GTI's in the country. But what would the compelling reason to include the Golf be?The 205 on the other hand have any survived apart from the 03 GTis?

[Supra_Natural]

Add the 1st Gen Subaru Legacy RS to the future classics list, Colin McRae scored his first victory in one and they have racing heritage here in SL too.

In addition, Nissan 300ZX and the Toyota Supra deserve a place as well although there are very few Supras around.

And what about the MR2?

[Supra_Natural]

Yes thought about the Golf too. Should go into retro rides if at all, as there are only two GTI's in the country. But what would the compelling reason to include the Golf be?The 205 on the other hand have any survived apart from the 03 GTis?

There are 2 Golf Gtis in the country?? and 3 205Gtis?? where? I've only ever seen the one 205 Gti that comes for CCCC events sometimes and never seen any golf gtis. where are the rest?

Have seen a couple of old non gti 205s running around. One in piliyandala and the other out in kandy.

[Ayad Zubair]

HI .Guys if you are refering to the golf 4 git's. i am one of them !!!!!

[Crosswind]

To the tunable retro cars, I would add Ford Capris and Cortinas. Austin Metro (if any of them have survived), Nissan Pulsar EXA would be in my list of Future classics..

Have you come across any CRX, RX7 or 406 Coupe in unmolested condition? I remember seeing an utterly effed up 406 coupe at Punchi Car Sale (of all places on earth!)

Edit: Also thinking of adding Fiat Bravo to the future classics list

Edited October 23, 2012 by Crosswind

[Watchman]

HI .Guys if you are refering to the golf 4 git's. i am one of them !!!!!

I think its the Mk1 Golf the guys are referring to... sadly I doubt if the mk4 will hit that list at any point.. ever since the mk2 the Golf GTis have been riding the coat tails of the mk1...

I recall this topgear segment where they dragged the classics versus their current models and the current gold didnt'd do well... Enough OT for now...

[The Don]

I think we need to be careful as to what we consider to be a "future classic". As time goes by and nostalgia sets in, quite a lot of cars may start to attain the title, but quite a lot of mass produced cars are perfectly competent A-B motors but they do not really have characteristics that makes them special.....

But I guess we might be speaking from a Sri Lankan context here.

Edited October 23, 2012 by The Don

[Crosswind]

Yup, from a Sri Lankan context

[GTAm]

Add the 1st Gen Subaru Legacy RS to the future classics list, Colin McRae scored his first victory in one and they have racing heritage here in SL too.

In addition, Nissan 300ZX and the Toyota Supra deserve a place as well although there are very few Supras around.

And what about the MR2?

Yes sorry I've forgotten to list the 300ZX. Have it on my original list here. Will add it. Supras are so thin on the ground here that I omitted it. Legacy RS 1st Gen - Again availability is going to be a big problem with the handful that survive have been raped on the tracks so much too. Besides I think the Impreza has stolen its thunder well and truely.

MR2 Mk1 is already recognized by collectors here I can see.

Edited October 23, 2012 by GTAm

[GTAm]

There are 2 Golf Gtis in the country?? and 3 205Gtis?? where? I've only ever seen the one 205 Gti that comes for CCCC events sometimes and never seen any golf gtis. where are the rest?

Have seen a couple of old non gti 205s running around. One in piliyandala and the other out in kandy.

Yes Supra 2 Golf GTI's in SL. Owned by one guy. Yet to on the road And 03 205 GTIs I know of. The one you mention, the Red one in Ratnapura (ex Cart Mart car) and the one which was raced.

[carboy2011]

under valued true classics

Triumph Herald (rarerish)

Peugeot 403 (rare)

Ford Anglia (Yankee model 4sri series mostly)

70's retro cars

Renault 4tl

Lancer 1st gen

Toyota KE20/30 series

Datsun Sunny B210/211

[VVTi]

Why oh why isn't the BMW E30 on this list?? and the E34?

[GTAm]

To the tunable retro cars, I would add Ford Capris and Cortinas. Austin Metro (if any of them have survived), Nissan Pulsar EXA would be in my list of Future classics..

Have you come across any CRX, RX7 or 406 Coupe in unmolested condition? I remember seeing an utterly effed up 406 coupe at Punchi Car Sale (of all places on earth!)

Edit: Also thinking of adding Fiat Bravo to the future classics list

406 Coupe - except for that one the others are decent to very good condition. Capris are already sort after. Cortinas yes but an Escort is a slightly better drive, Cortinas being bulkier. I think a CRX2 might be possible and definitely FD RX7s. Metro hmmmm there were loads of cars better than that in that era - 205, Uno etc.

Pulsar EXA urrrgh no way. A Sunny in drag. Bravo - There is only one, a diesel. Bravas there were a few. But both are far far from Classicdom I'd say.....

[GTAm]

I think we need to be careful as to what we consider to be a "future classic". As time goes by and nostalgia sets in, quite a lot of cars may start to attain the title, but quite a lot of mass produced cars are perfectly competent A-B motors but they do not really have characteristics that makes them special.....

But I guess we might be speaking from a Sri Lankan context here.

Definitely a Sri Lankan perspective Don and I expect there to be a lot of controvesey

[Crosswind]

Is the 'only one' bravo that you are talking about, is the one with JM- plates?

[terrabytetango]

1.d) Morris Traveller?

2.g) Starlet KP6X?

3.g) Mazda Miata/MX-5/Eunos NA series?

Edited October 23, 2012 by terrabytetango

[terrabytetango]

To the tunable retro cars, I would add Ford Capris and Cortinas. Austin Metro (if any of them have survived), Nissan Pulsar EXA would be in my list of Future classics..

Have you come across any CRX, RX7 or 406 Coupe in unmolested condition? I remember seeing an utterly effed up 406 coupe at Punchi Car Sale (of all places on earth!)

Edit: Also thinking of adding Fiat Bravo to the future classics list

There used to be a Pulsar EXA close to my place, but the turbo engine was replaced, with what I don't know.

[GTAm]

under valued true classics

Triumph Herald (rarerish)

Peugeot 403 (rare)

Ford Anglia (Yankee model 4sri series mostly)

70's retro cars

Renault 4tl

Lancer 1st gen

Toyota KE20/30 series

Datsun Sunny B210/211

Under valued Classics.

These are already sort after by the Classic Car fraternity as you would see at their Motor Shows. I'm looking for the undiscovered gems.

70's Retro.

Renault 4 definitely. Missed that one. Celeste much more desirable than Lancer. Other two are too boring I feel.

[GTAm]

Why oh why isn't the BMW E30 on this list?? and the E34?

Hi VVTi the E30 is already fully valued if not over valued in my humble opinion. E34 has more time I guess, I think the E32 should be ahead of the E34 but hey then where do we draw the line? W126 S-Class surely, W124 E-class? 190? There's a whiff of utility about these cars as they are in everyday use right now. Maybe the coupe, convertible, high performance versions......... which again make them ultra rare.

[GTAm]

1.d) Morris Traveller?

2.g) Starlet KP6X?

3.g) Mazda Miata/MX-5/Eunos NA series?

1.d) Morris Traveller? - Already sought after

2.g) Starlet KP6X? - Starlet 40 and 60 series RWD for sure.

3.g) Mazda Miata/MX-5/Eunos NA series? - MX5 is already highly sought after. The MX3/Autozam is something to think about.

[GTAm]

Is the 'only one' bravo that you are talking about, is the one with JM- plates?

Sorry there are 2 cars. The JM diesel and a red petrol.

[nexus]

future classics toyota corolla levin and sprinter trueno ae86 and ae85.

[GTAm]

future classics toyota corolla levin and sprinter trueno ae86 and ae85.

Good one Nexus. Do you think there are many left?