The winners and losers in the 2020 retro car market

For a year that continues to be chaotic, the classic car market has shown a remarkable level of resilience. 

Insurance specialists Hagerty have monitored the values of more than 40,000 retro motors between May and August this year.

The latest September 2020 update to the UK Price Guide has shown no signs of a collapse, with the top 50 cars actually displaying an increase in average values. 

We have detailed the cars that have recorded the biggest increases, falls, and those simply holding position.

2020 Winners

Analysis by Hagerty’s market experts showed an overall shift downwards in mean values, dropping by 0.47%.

However, modern classics in particular bucked the trend, recording increases in average values between May and August 2020. These were the top five making a climb.

Volkswagen Mk1 Golf GTI 1.6 – 13.82% increase

Perhaps the launch of a new Mk8 Golf GTI this year by Volkswagen has stirred up sentimental memories. In a chaotic world, there is something reassuring about the ever-present Mk1 GTI.

In particular, it is the earliest 1.6-litre versions of the Mk1 GTI that have seen the marked growth in values. Average prices for these rose from £15,200 to £17,300.

Audi Ur-Quattro – 3.84% increase

The original Audi Quattro hit 40 this year, and has seen plenty of attention on the classic car scene. Nostalgia may well also be playing a part in pushing the values of these four-wheel drive machines ever higher. 

Firing up the Quattro has seen average values pushed from £46,225 to £48,000.

Morgan 4/4 Series V – 2.13% increase

The Morgan 4/4 manages to be the only car to show a substantial increase in value not from the 1980s. Distinguishing older 4/4 models from newer versions might be a test of knowledge, but it is only the 1963 to 1968 Series V cars that have gained in price.

Morgan made a total of 639 examples of the Series V, with their average values having increased from £28,225 to £28,825.

Porsche 944 Turbo – 1.45% increase

Hagerty recorded that front-engined Porsche models demonstrated an increase in values across the board between May and August. Yet it was the desirable 944 Turbo that made the biggest gains. 

For pop-up headlights with extra boost, bank on needing an average of £20,925 now.

Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 – 0.93% increase

Being consistently rated as one of, if not the, greatest hot hatch keeps demand for the Peugeot 205 GTI at a high level. Auctions in recent years have seen prices regularly exceed £20,000, but the pace of growth appears to have slowed slightly. 

This summer saw average prices for the 1.6-litre version increase slightly from £16,150 to £16,300.

2020 Non-movers

Most of the cars listed within the Hagerty Index saw their values remain static between May to August 2020. The cars listed below were notable for seeing their average prices level off after periods of change.

BMW 2002 Tii

Created as a special performance version of the compact BMW 2002, the Tii made a debut in 1971. Fuel injection for the 2.0-litre engine, along with upgraded suspension, created a desirable sports saloon.

Prices for the Tii have previously shown increases, but have now levelled off. Average values are now at £29,575.

Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

Fast Fords values have shown substantial increases across the past decade. The Sierra RS Cosworth has led the charge, with big money changing hands at auctions. 

Such growth may now have levelled off, albeit at the considerable average of £48,550.

Willys MB Jeep

The Willys MB is the general purpose military vehicle that started the Jeep name. Values for this wartime hero have shown an overall downward trend, but would appear to have now stopped falling. 

To become G.I. Joe, or Jane, expect to spend in the region of £21,057 for the utilitarian Willys MB.

Ferrari 308 GTB

The range of 308 models often acts as a relatively affordable route in classic Ferrari ownership. With styling by Pininfarina, and a mid-mounted 2.9-litre V8 engine, it ticks many boxes for Prancing Horse expectations. 

After previous falls in value, the original 308 GTB has now found a balancing point in the market. Average prices are reported as being £52,250.

Ford Escort Mexico

What makes the Ford Escort Mexico notable is that average values have not moved for more than two years. According to Hagerty, the rally-inspired Escort Mexico has not seen prices budge since February 2018. 

Due to inflation, this means that values have actually fallen slightly in real terms, with an average of £29,800.

2020 Losers

With a slight overall 0.47% decrease in the UK Hagerty Price Guide, it means some models had to endure falls in value between May and August 2020. 

Many of these are noted to have been cars that have seen substantial increases. A fall may suggest the market making a correction to what it believes is the appropriate value.

DeLorean DMC-12 – 6.82% decrease

Marking the biggest decrease of all in the Hagerty Price Guide is the unmistakable DeLorean DMC-12. Being such a unique proposition may contribute to the fall in values seen between May and September. Owners might wish they had a time machine to see what prices are likely to do in the future.

DMC-12 prices have dropped from £30,262, down to £28,200.

Daimler SP250 Dart – 5.26% decrease

An auction regular on both sides of the Atlantic, the Daimler SP250 sports car has recorded a substantial drop in average values. 

Values have now dipped below £40,000, with averages standing at £39,162.

Range Rover Classic – 4.97% decrease

Land Rover is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original Range Rover in 2020. This has included a special Fifty limited-edition of the current version, wearing colours used on the first-generation model.

This does not appear to have helped Classic values, however. In particular, the two-door model has seen a drop from £38,750 to £36,825.

Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2 – 2.37% decrease

Much like the DeLorean DMC-12, the Lagonda Series 2 manages to be a divisive car on the auction circuit. Radical styling, and a futuristic interior, meant it can split opinion with bidders. 

A fall in value here suggests investors may be looking to buy more dependable auction favourites instead. Average values moved from £53,798 down to £52,525.

Land Rover Series I – 1.35% decrease

The launch of the new Defender could have been expected to stimulate interest in the original Land Rover. Instead, prices for the Series I recorded a slight fall between May and August 2020.

Values have moved downwards from £29,700 to £29,300.

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