Future classic RS prices

[flyingpilot]

I was wondering what peoples thoughts on this were.

Over the last ten years or so we've all seen RWD Escorts hit big money with RS variants fetching a good premium. I would imagine most of us enthusiasts are of an age when we had these cars in the 80's when they were just a cheap sporting Ford, but now, with established income and family grown up, we want that bit of our youth again. We all go off to buy out favorite Escort and the price go's up. Plenty of demand but not enough supply. (This is my theory anyhow). I know this doesn't cover everybody but it's just my general assumption.

What I was thinking is, will a classic Escort be worth as much in the future, when us 50, 60, 70's kids are gone? A classic car is a classic and will have a certain value but when a sentimental value isn't attached, it makes the vehicle a lot cheaper.

Just a general thought .

[kas750]

Escorts are not banger money anymore,thats for sure, but you can still buy a nice rs escort for less than the price of a new bog standard focus.So these things are relative.

[waggy1600]

yes alot of us younger genaraton love these cars an theres alot o younger people buying them now . an as there will be less an less there price wll go up ad say

[topaz]

saw a mint lotus cortina on the motorway yesterday driven by a young un

[lee bishop]

What you saying ?? I was in school till 1989 LOL

[0630154]

Approved or special school I'd say .

[mk1rally]

I would imagine most of us enthusiasts are of an age when we had these cars in the 80's when they were just a cheap sporting Ford, but now, with established income and family grown up, we want that bit of our youth again. We all go off to buy out favorite Escort and the price go's up.

I'd agree with that theory. It certainy applies to me after a 20 year break, married, kids, house complete (for now!), bit of spare time and money.

It also lines up with the fact that when I have the '67 Cooper S out, that generation are all over it with "oh I had one of those" or "I own one of those!"

A right mini in the right period are now getting into Stella prices, I think it will just follow for other desirable cars. Of which the escort is.

Look at a Austin 1100 of the same period and although they have gone (mostly due to scrappage!!) they are no where near the price of a same age mini. I think a pair of rose tinted glasses help too, you always remember them better than they are!!

Lotus Cortina's have shot up again in the last 5 years. My Navigator bought a nice, but not mint one for £9K 4 years ago (still a fair chunk of money) and has been offered silly money for it recently. Wished I'd bought one then too!!

I think it will level out, like the housing boom/bust in the late 80's. The smart money went into classic's and E types went from chip shop money to serious amounts (for then) overnight. They then levelled out for the next 15 or so years and when the market had a spare bit of cash free or there was nothing doing in the houses, the prices started to go up. I remember turning down a series 1 1/2 FHC for £4K that was all there but needed a tidy up!! I must have been mad!!

[oveRSteer]

I was born in 83, and my escort is a 78. I wasn't at driving age till 2000. The appeal for me isn't in the nostalgia at all, it's in the cars awesomeness! Hehe

I know plenty people my age and younger gagging for escorts etc, so I think they're firmly set to be valuable!

[MexInTheForest]

You have to remember when looking at the huge prices commanded by the sporting Escort, Lotus Cortina, Cooper S and E Type that the big prices are only given for perfect cars. And they are either incredibly rare original survivors, or they’ve had a load of money spent on them.

I sold a Mk 1 Lotus Cortina 15 years ago for £6000, and bought an E type for £8000. Both were pretty tatty, and really needed fully restoring. A cheque book restoration on a Mk 1 Cortina (GT or Lotus, they’re much the same) is now around £30k to £50k, and I would guess that it would be a similar amount for an Escort. A similar restoration on an E type is north of £100k now. And lots of people, either with the money or the skills, have spent the money and / or time on the cars, so now there is a lot better ‘stock’ of these cars about than there was 15 years ago, and the price seems to have gone up disproportionately.

I’ve just finished the complete restoration of the E type and it’s insured for a lot of dosh….and a lot less than I put into it! Like the rest of the ‘desirable’ classics, there are a lot of very well restored E Types out there, and now the prices seem to be astronomical for the S1 cars. You can still buy an E type for £7k though, for a lhd S2 2+2 automatic requiring restoration.

I think that the iconic status for the Escort, Cortina, E Type and Cooper S has been established over many years, and based on what the cars achieved in their day. And how much fun they are today. Time won’t diminish that reputation or kudos, but will probably just enhance it. And they are all fairly modern cars, compared with a pre-war MG or Riley, and have the brakes and performance that can still be enjoyed on the road / track / forest today as much as 40 years ago. And they aren’t making them any more!

I do think that the gap between the basket case and the perfect car will widen, and unfortunately, as more and more cars get restored, they will be seen less and less on the road, but more often lined up in fields on display on a fine July day, which is a very sad thought.

Then of course, one day petrol will become hugely expensive, and when normal ‘hybrid’ cars are doing 150mpg, out cars will be prohibitively expensive to use. Hopefully I won’t see that day!

In the meantime, I spotted a Sierra Cosworth at an auction last year that I’m kicking myself for not buying. It was one of the early cars, white, three previous owners, 60k miles and all original paint, and no mechanical faults. It went for £7800 plus buyer’s premium. What’s that going to be in 10 years time??!

Mark

[mk1rally]

Yes, I think the next step is to spot the next future classic.

I told countless people the one to look for was the Capri (for me the early 2.8 4 speeds or the last 3.0's) and they have now started to demand strong money. Pity I didn't practice what I preached!!

I have a list as long as my arm on a few if I had the space.....RS 1600i, Nova GTE, R5 Turbo. All that have started to gain attention.

I think the cheap ones would be for now...Mk2 Golf GTI, Fiesta RS1800, Rover 25 MG (actually a lovely balanced car and still doing will at 1400cc rallies!!) and some of the early Scooby's (though mint ones are not cheap/easy to find). Trouble is finding a unmolested one. They will be out there, I'm sure.

I do struggle with the current bue oval range apart from the obvious RS Focus types. I'm sure the ST Fiesta's and the Focus will be intrest but I struggle with the fact that the motorsport cars from Ford are pretty much removed from anything you could buy in the showroom.

As anthing, only time will tell.

[flyingpilot]

I was born in 83, and my escort is a 78. I wasn't at driving age till 2000. The appeal for me isn't in the nostalgia at all, it's in the cars awesomeness! Hehe

I know plenty people my age and younger gagging for escorts etc, so I think they're firmly set to be valuable!

That makes me feel old ......83...I was Road ralling my MK1 Mex .
That is true about younger folks just loving the car, as my son says "it's a rear wheel drive thing". The lastest generation don't know what it's like to drive one. My son for one would love a RWD every day car but knows its only a BMW and an M1 is way out of his bracket.

It is true though, the favorable classics seem to be the last of DIY mechanic variety, I've noticed Escort MK3's coming up with some top price series 1 turbo's fetching double figures. Good MK6 RS2000's getting good money too.

[grum]

................................ I've noticed Escort MK3's coming up with some top price series 1 turbo's fetching double figures..........

............... what like £10

[vinny]

............... what like £10

prick

[grum]

prick

truthful prick tho

[grum]

..... and if you call me that again, I'll get the police involved :winka: