Much like fashion, property and technology, the price of cars can fluctuate and depreciate based on many different factors. For a car to avoid depreciation that doesn’t recover when you leave the forecourt, it usually has to end up in the category of becoming a ‘classic’ car vehicle.
With key criteria like style, desirability, rarity and innovation often determining a car’s cult status, we’re going to delve into a selection of cars that could well be on their way to becoming future classics, with the help of the team at Grange Vehicles.
Ford Focus RS
Where better to start than a performance car that was originally set for a fourth-generation model in 2022. But the build of a fourth Focus RS hinged on the development of a high-output hybrid powertrain, capable of reducing the car’s impact on Ford’s average CO2 emissions.
Deemed not to be cost-effective, plans for another Focus RS model have been scrapped, leaving the third-generation iteration to be the last ever Focus RS produced. Popular among performance petrolheads, it could be well on its way to becoming a future classic – with those lucky enough to own one in with a chance of making money on their investment.
Land Rover Defender
With production originally ending in 2016, before a 2020 re-incarnation, versions the Land Rover Defender are still tipped for future classic status. With Land Rover releasing three limited edition Defenders — Heritage, Adventure, and Autobiography — this trio could prove to be an investment. For example, the Heritage in the classic Grasmere Green was going for £30,900, preowned prices with low mileage going for figures closer to £45,000, and pristine vehicles edging nearer to £75,000.
With SUVs booming in popularity over the last decade across the world, interest in this iconic off-roader is peaking.
Aston Martin DB11
Replacing the DB9, the DB11 from Aston Martin is yet another supercar worthy of 007 himself. A superlight version of the DB11 got its own special edition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sixth Bond film – At Her Majesty’s Service, but despite the standard model having to settle for being tough competition for its rival, it will always be an Aston Martin that has a strong chance of becoming a classic.
In 2018, the price of a new Aston Martin increased by £16,000. With the value of cars from Aston Martin skyrocketing, some models are even doubling or tripling in price.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
An infusion of German and British engineering, the Mercedes McLaren is a collaborative grand tourer manufactured and sold from 2003 to 2010. A limited edition with 2,157 vehicles produced, this model was a tribute to the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR from the 1950s which dominated the 1955 World Sports Car Championship. A 5.4 litre supercharged V8 engine with 617 horsepower and 580lb-ft of torque, it could propel from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds.
The Mercedes McLaren is more accessible on the preowned market, you could pick one up for £242,000, more than triple its original price of around £72,000.
Bugatti Veyron
Adorned with a 16-cylinder, quad turbo engine, and 0-60mph in less than three seconds, this supercar is the next multi-million collectable. In 2012, an unused Bugatti Veyron sold for £579,000. A year later it went for £1.87 million, and in 2014, sold for £1.96 million. Only 450 of these vehicles were produced — need we say more?
So, there we have some potential future classics. Who knows what’s round the corner that could see us queuing up at the auction houses looking for a piece of car history.