MODERN CLASSICS DRIVING UP INTEREST .16/05/12 from Historics at Brooklands .
Evidence of increasing interest in modern classics amongst car enthusiasts will be put to the test by Historics at Brooklands, as the classic and sports car auctioneer brings a quartet of feisty front-wheelers to its sale at Brooklands on Saturday 26th May.
The contribution of Ford, Peugeot and Volkswagen to the hugely popular and ultimately successful hatchback movement was immeasurable, with its iconic cars from the 1980’s and 1990’s now triggering a surge in popularity amongst an invigorated classic car audience.
Introduced by Ford in 1977 to compete with the Renault 5 and Fiat 127 that pioneered the new ‘supermini’ sector, the Fiesta quickly became Europe’s fastest-selling car, with half a million sold in the first year alone.
Although not revolutionary, it packaged everything the modern motorist required, yet when the uprated 1.3 litre Supersport version was introduced in 1980 to test the market ahead of the XR2 launch a year later, it paved the way for a generation of fast road fans.
The 1981 model presented by Historics has benefitted from a full, ground-up restoration, including bare metal re-spray and engine rebuild, and arrives at auction in immaculate condition.
As one of only 30 such examples known to exist, its status as a future classic appears certain, and offers in the region of £6,000 - £8,000 could represent a sound investment.
Declared car of the decade by CAR magazine in 1990, Peugeot’s punchy 205 GTI is widely acknowledged as the car that saved the company, and has received plaudits since its introduction in 1984.
Sporting uprated, stiffened suspension and a 1.6 litre, in-line four cylinder engine, the Peugeot 205 GTI revolutionised the developing hot hatch sector, and delivered a rewarding driving experience its rear wheel drive competition couldn’t compete with.
Historics’ 1990 Peugeot 205 GTI comes to auction as a one owner car until 2011, and in fabulous condition with just 84,000 miles on the clock. Finished in classic white with red interior and sporting the factory sunroof, this example of a much-lauded motor car is expected to fetch offers between £4,000 - £6,000.
Another up and coming classic on account of its Karmann connection – Germany’s largest independent motor vehicle manufacturer at the time – the VW Golf Mk. I Cabriolet was good enough to not need a second generation facelift, and was sold from 1980 until the Mk. III Cabriolet was introduced in 1993.
Upgraded with the ‘Clipper’ kit that from 1988 included smoother, body-coloured bumpers, wheel arch extensions and side skirts, Historics’ 1989 Volkswagen Golf GTi Cabriolet has travelled a not considerable 79,000 miles and is offered at auction with No Reserve.
Similarly offered at No Reserve is a 1989 Lancia Delta HF Integrale KAT. Inspired by the six-time, back-to-back World Rally championship winning car, the road-going Lancia Delta Integrale was equally impressive and declared ‘the greatest hot hatch’ by Car magazine.
The Integrale KAT model – exclusive to the Swiss market – features the renowned bottom end of the 16 valve engine, combined with the reliable turbo-charged top end of the eight valve unit, to deliver the best mix of peak performance and durability.
Mechanically strong and showing good temperatures all round, the car has had three owners since new and has been well cared for by marque specialists John Whalley during the last decade.
Commenting on the increasing appeal of more modern motor cars as future classics, Edward Bridger-Stille, Historics’ Auction Director, notes; “we’ve been excited to see a new generation of potential classic car collectors and enthusiasts attending our sales, driven in part by successful cars of this era.
“Large production numbers are an obvious indicator of success, but as always, it’s immaculate examples that will command the top prices and drive future interest”, he concluded.
For more information on these and all other consigned vehicles, and to attend the Historics at Brooklands auction on the afternoon of Saturday May 26th, call 0800 988 3838, e-mail: auctions@historics.co.uk
Entry by catalogue only, available prior to, or on the day of the auction.
