Which cars are suitable as investment objects - perspective from 1982
In No. 21/1982, Automobil Revue tried its hand at being an oracle on May 20, 1982. It suggested some vehicles that could turn out to be good investments. Of course, the author of the article made it clear that it was all speculation, but he did produce the following list of potential value winners:
- Triumph TR 7 (especially convertible)
- MG B (coupé and convertible)
- Jaguar XJ Coupé
- Jensen Healey
- Lancia Fulvia Coupé
- Fiat 850 Sport Spider
- Opel GT
- BMW Coupé predecessor of the 6 series (as 3.0 CS/L, etc.)
- NSU TT
- NSU Ro 80
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Pontiac Firebird
- Ford Mustang convertibles
- Alpine-Renault A 110
- Citroën SM
- Matra 530
- Volvo P 1800 S
He was not entirely wrong with this list, but apart from the Alpine A 110 (especially in the particularly sought-after 1600 S and Gordini variants), none of these vehicles has actually become a "high flyer". Certainly, well-maintained vehicles similar to those listed have at least retained their value and experienced a certain increase in value, but it was only the Alpine that was able to increase in value by factors (approx. 4-6), i.e. one of 17 proposed investment objects.
The author's additional commentary is therefore reproduced here:
"What all these models, mentioned only as examples, have in common is that they are still available today in "sufficient" numbers and therefore largely hover between second-hand and collector's item. Ultimately, however, the decisive factor as to which side they belong is their condition: it cannot be emphasized enough that only rust-free classic cars that are in excellent condition and true to the original have any prospect of increasing in value in the past or later."
At least with this observation he was right. And it must also be said that today, almost 30 years later, hardly any of the examples listed can be found in the used car segment.
