Illustration: 731; Cars: RM Sotheby's
The New Investment Guide for Classic Cars
These groups of quirky autos may not be as flashy as those blue-chip Ferraris that ring up at a million dollars or more—but they’re a bargain and show strong signs of increasing in value.
It’s driving season. The sunny skies and temperate weather make it just the right time to cruise around town with the top down or take a winding road trip. And with the car auction calendar in full swing, it’s easy to start shopping for the perfect classic that will be a joy to drive and possibly appreciate over time. After scouring investment guides, auction results, insurance reports, online sales, and back-alley buys, we’ve come up with these five categories where you might find a bargain. Cars in these loosely defined groups will cost quite a bit less than a blue chip Ferrari, but they have great potential for gains. And they’re sure to give you some memorable moments in the meantime.
Cars from Japan are beating just about everything else this year in terms of their gain in value. Across all Japanese brands, a car in “fine” condition with minimal wear has appreciated an average of 18 percent over the past three years and 39 percent over the past five. The corresponding average for the market in general was 13 percent and 24 percent, respectively. The uptick is due in part to video games, which often heavily feature these cars. Primary among the jewels is the 1997 Acura Integra Type R; one at a Barrett-Jackson auction sold for $63,800 in September, topping a 1970 Dodge Charger and a 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback.