We know: You’re already intimately familiar with the market and have the ideal classic sitting in your garage. But what about your neighbors, your friends or your family members?
How do you get them involved in the hobby?
No problem: Hook them with a classic that’s easy to enjoy…
So, uh, no Italian cars?
Hmm - wonder how many first time classic car shoppers are up for a $200K+ BMW.....?
Amd I agree - why omit real classics like Giuliettas, MGAs, T series MGs etc. in favour of almost current stuff like LFAs and (heaven help us) Fox bodied Mustangs? Seems like a quick space filler article using a scatter gun.
I only see two classics in the article, one is $$$ Porsche, with only the MGB relatively inexpensive and simple to do your own work on.
For "Entry level classic" there should be Spridgets and Bugeys, Morris Minors, 70's Alfa-Romeo, Sunbeam Alpine and Rapier, Karman Ghia, Lotus Europa, Hillman Minx, Ford Anglia/Cortina, lots of Jags Mk. 7/8/9/10 Mk. II, 3.8S......
All available under $10K if you are willing to do some work and several of my list are still only around $10K restored!
Sure, avoid the total basket cases but most of the true classics are very simple to work on.
"The rich are different from you and me." --F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Yes, they have better first classic cars." --Stroker Ace
Would anyone rather go this way to purchase a classic ??
Sweet deals are out there if you look.
I am not sure how a Lexus LFA remotely fits the category of 'first' classic unless you are Elon Musk or Bill Gates. To the same end, Shelby GT350 and BMW Z8 are pretty much out of reach for most of us Joes that subscribe to your magazine. It is nice to have some 'pie in the sky' but maybe put a reasonable budget cap on a 'first' classic. If you are the aforementioned names, maybe a first classic could be a Ferrari 250 GTO or a pre-war Bugatti. A top ten of under 15k, 20-40k, and 50k-100k might be more germaine to someone looking to venture into adding an additional vehicle. Sorry to be a bit of a nut buster...I love your magazine and content. I guess I am just jealous that I will never be able to add an LFA to my stable nor will my 13yo (who pointed out to me, thanks to this article, this should be his 'first' classic...which, unless he mows like 200,000 yards in the next 3 years, won't happen).
In reply to RichardSIA :
And Mini's, the original (clown) cars! Maybe they won't appreciate much but neither will the MG B's. Old Alfa's are great cars too and I expect they will appreciate some. I think the age of electric cars will leave gasoline collector cars in the rear view mirrors for a number of reasons. There is less interest in old cars with new technology being so interesting.
We failed to define "Affordable".
I tend to define that as no more than $3K for a long term project or $10K for a driver needing "Some TLC".
If we judge by selling prices old Alfa's have already appreciated, even the rubber bumper cars are going up.
Spridgets are still affordable, but Bugeye's have to be rough now, Morris Minors still affordable unless they are show quality.
70's Alfa-Romeo, Sunbeam Alpine and Rapier, Karman Ghia, have all gone up, some a LOT.
Hillman Minx, Ford Anglia/Cortina, lots of Jags Mk. 7/8/9/10 Mk. II, 3.8S. etc are going up but still not crazy.
Lotus Europa's can still be had in" running needs some restoration", for under $10K and even better than new can be had for $15K-$25K. Not bad for the first affordable mid-engine production car.
In fact, it seems even the horrid ICE cars like BMW Isetta's are getting expensive.
Maybe people really are willing to pay more for cars that do not all look alike?
Or maybe the old cars in excellent condition are still selling for their new price, no depreciation once you adjust for inflation.
EV's depreciate rapidly, and appear to be worthless when the batteries are near the end of their life.
The imminent death of ICE is overstated, if I had extra funds to bet I would bet heavily that the whole "EV Revolution" is going to be a wet firecracker and ICE will remain the majority of vehicles for a few more decades.
But if I were to cite the articles and recent Gov. Org. actions to back that up I would get spanked for "Politics" so we have to leave it at that.
Only a few more years now to prove who is right, and will Toyota remain the last car company standing?
wspohn said:Hmm - wonder how many first time classic car shoppers are up for a $200K+ BMW.....?
Amd I agree - why omit real classics like Giuliettas, MGAs, T series MGs etc. in favour of almost current stuff like LFAs and (heaven help us) Fox bodied Mustangs? Seems like a quick space filler article using a scatter gun.
MGT series are the antisis of modern cars. You can start them with a hand crank and it's easy to do. A generator that doesn't require a battery to run.
Simple easily understood engine and parts that empower you rather than mystify you. Tall flat radiator up front with fenders right out of a century ago. Wire wheels, drum brakes, cut away doors that let you reach down and touch the ground, chrome bumpers that add to the design rather than detract from it.
In reply to RichardSIA :
I'm about as serious a gear head that exists. I'm in love with pistons and cams, ( especially V12's ) I've made a living and hobby out of working/playing with them.
But transportation? The stuff to get to and from work, shopping, and appointments? Until teleportation happens, I just want cheap, fast and simple. An Electric motor meets that.
Especially like the Tesla that repairs itself while recharging. Modern ICE cars are jammed with electronic Modules that need special diagnostic tools to repair. Just figuring out how to get the plastic covers off discourages most from working on their own cars. Plus manufactures are not going to support cars past a certain age anymore which will leave owners to the mercy of aftermarket's.
In the past a basic engine design was continued for 20-30 years or more. Today even Chevy's LS V8 is no more. It's the LT and all the rest of the permutations. The small block Chevy was in production from 1955- 1998 43 years.
Jaguars basic 6 cylinder 1948-1988 50 years.
Ford's Flathead V8? 1932- 1977 (French 1955-77) 45 years.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I can't believe you skipped the Jaguars. I just picked up 2 rust free classic Jaguar's
$500 each. One has 63,000 miles one has 93,000 miles near flawless interiors ( although the hard leather require treatment to soften it. No rips, tears, 
or wear patterns.
Normal maintenance is required on both to put them back on the road but no repairs. The 50 year old one is so basic and simple. Carbs and points. While the green one has EFI.
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