SOME of the best-loved classic cars are beginning to lose their value – meaning petrolheads could pick up a bargain.
According to car expert John Mayhead, known for his work with classic motors insurers Hagerty, a handful of the world’s most famous classics are becoming much more affordable.
Writing for This Is Money, John says new data from Hagerty indicates that a number of people who remember certain classic cars are starting to dwindle – meaning their desirability is ever-so-slightly waning.
Amazing, that even includes the ever-green E-Type Jaguar.
According to Hagerty, the average price for an E-Type today is £59,475 – some £10k less than it was in 2020.
While that’s hardly chump change, it does represent a significant descrease on one of world’s best-loved motors.
Produced from 1961 until 1974 before it was replaced by the XJ-S, the E-Type is considered one of the greatest sports cars ever made and is a huge favourite among petrolheads.
It’s particularly favoured for its stunning aesthetics, with Enzo Ferrari – the legendary founder of Ferrari – once describing it as “the most beautiful car ever made”.
On average, you’ll be able to find an Austin Healey 3000 Mk1 for around £45,000 – down £1,450 over the past three months having previously been static since 2019.
A head-turner for sure, the Mk 1 2+2 is considered the most affordable of the “big Healeys” but lacks some of the performance of later models.
For decades before they became a maker of affordable and stylish Chinese-designed EVs, MG were one of Britain’s go-to sports car brands.
The MG B and the MG Midget remain two of the most famous roadsters ever produced in Britain, while the MG F / TF has become a cult icons among fans as the last true MG.
But going back to golden age of motoring, the MG TC – or T-Type – can really scratch the classic car itch for a fairly reasonable price.
Hagerty say values for the TC have been flat for a long time – with a large gap opening up between pristine examples and those that need work.
A really good example can be purchased for the mid-£20ks.
Values for the Giulietta Sprint 101 Normale are, on average, around £43,175, with a puny £500 rise in the past three years.
Known for being lightweight, sporty, and very easy to drive, especially over long distances, its parts are also in plentiful supply while the engine is known for being easy to upgrade.
Less expensive than their more elegant 750-series predecessors, the 101 Sprint offers great value for money.
To the untrained eye, the Daimler V8 250 has all the looks of the Jaguar Mk II – without the monstrous price tag.
Around £17,250 is enought to pick up one of these beauties, and while replacement parts may be costly, they are available.
Of course, the very best cars can top £30k, but, as John says, they are a lot of car for the money.
Nowadays, a Fiat 124 Spider can be yours for around £12,775 – with its price slowly dropping since 2019.
The Italian drop top isn’t quite the same as the Alfa Romeo Spider – but it’s almost a fraction of the price.
Great fun, at a very sensible price.
Hagerty believe 1969 is the sweet spot for the Mustang, with average values much lower than ’68 models and before the unsightly 1970 grille was introduced.
Pricing at £17,000, the small-block V8 example offers plenty of style for a much-lower price than some of the high-profile classic Mustangs.
The price of one of the most famous classic motors has risen by just a tiny amount in some eight years, with an average of £10,575 – up from £10,000 – enough for one today.
Much more affordable than they once were, the convertible version of the Morris Minor combines wind-in-the-hair motoring with a bit more power.
The price of the Sunbeam Alpine, specificially the third series, has flat-lined almost entirely since 2017 – with the average price in 2024 now just £13,300.
In fact, the sharp-looking roadster’s value has in fact gently fallen over the last nine years.
The Series III, which is the rarest of the lot, is still very affordable and combines the traditional ‘high fin’ look with practical features – such as a larger boot, improved shocks and better brakes.
The unique-looking VW Karmann has experienced a sharp decline in value in recent years since its peak in November 2019 at £23,125.
Five years on, it’s priced at around £15,000 – not bad for such a head-turning roadster.
This comes as VW recently revealed the extent of their troubles, with the German giants set to close at least three of its factories and lay off tens of thousands of staff.
The car marque will also shrink their remaining plants and cut staff pay by 10% in a deeper-than-expected overhaul of one of the world’s most recognisable brands.
Elsewhere, an urban explorer recently unearthed an incredible collection of abandoned classic cars outside a derelict house – including a favourite from the Grand Tour.
