Spotting Tomorrow's Icons: AutoNatives Explores Hagerty's Future Classics
A few days ago, we were thinking about future classics. Obviously, we weren't the only ones doing so. Earlier this week, a British insurance company shared their ideas on the subject.
It made me smile. A few days ago, I published an article about three upcoming classics. Now I came across a press release from the American insurer "Hagerty," whose British subsidiary also offers special insurance for classic cars. For this reason, Hagerty closely monitors the British classic car market. After all, insurance is a business.
Premiums must be sufficient and still generate a profit despite expected damages. Therefore, it is interesting for an insurance company to observe how the value of certain cars might develop. The insurer's specialists identified ten vehicles worth keeping an eye on. The three we at AutoNatives also consider interesting are all included in the list.
Which classics did Hagerty identify? The experts' list includes, alongside our candidates (Alfa Romeo 147, Peugeot 106, and Toyota RAV4), the following vehicles:
- Austin-Healey 3000 (1959–1967)
- Ferrari F355 (1994–1999)
- Maserati Ghibli (1992–1998)
- Porsche 912 (1965–1969)
- Range Rover (1994–2001)
- Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II (1977–1980)
- Subaru Impreza (2000–2001)
I can understand many of these choices!
The Ferrari F355 is an underrated representative of Maranello sports cars. Especially the version with the optionally available "F1 gearbox" (a sequential 6-speed transmission) is already a true classic. During my moderation of the Rolling Museum in Lübeck last summer, a F355 with this transmission was present. It was quite something to hear those typical shifting sounds echoing between the Hansemuseum and the Untertrave! The Ferrari would have fit well on my list too. However, Ferrari prices are traditionally high.
The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II is also on Hagerty's list. We have another idea.
The Porsche 912 is also interesting!
With the (first) Porsche 912, Porsche filled the gap in the lower segment left by the departure of the Porsche 356 in 1965. To do this, the engineers transplanted the 90 hp four-cylinder from the 356 SC into the body of the 911 – and the entry-level model was born. It had its charm, as the new Porsche suddenly cost "only" 16,250 DM, while the six-cylinder 911 was listed nearly 6,000 DM higher in Porsche dealers' price lists. Almost 31,000 customers opted for the 912 by 1969. Subsequently, the VW-Porsche 914 and the Porsche 914/6 took over the entry-level role.
I have mixed feelings about the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II!
Undoubtedly, driving a Rolls-Royce is a pleasure. However, the Shadow II introduced in 1977 was technically outdated for its time, as it was based on the Silver Shadow, which had already debuted in 1965. Even the distinguished Roman "II" behind the name couldn't hide that fact since 1977 brought little more than a gentle facelift. With over 29,000 units built, the Silver Shadow remains the most successful Rolls-Royce ever. This makes the Silver Shadow quite common in the classic car scene. Those seeking true exclusivity would be better off choosing the basically identical Bentley T-Series.
More about Hagerty's press release can be found on the British company's website.
Picture credits: Hagerty, Rolls-Royce