Of todays cars on the road which ones will become classics?

I was sat in a cafe today watching the cars going past on the main road and i felt completely uninspired by what was passing the window, which got me thinking which of today's cars will become the "modern classics" of the future, and i have to say im struggling im not talking about super cars i mean like the mk1 golf, Escorts etc everyday cars??

thought please.

the only one i could think of is the Prius for the simple reason its different mind you in 20yrs how many synnnneererginnee  drives, or what ever they are called will still be working :mrgreen:

Define "Classic".

Something that evokes nostalgia, cars that where an automotive bench mark of its time.

We all have our own examples of a classic but some cars do stand out the Hillman avenger could by some eyes be seen as a classic but not by the masses where as an E-type would be considered a classic by the majority, and its the majority im interested in

a classic would be sent to a scrap yard and be rescued by the scrap dealer because he's not stupid..

VW Beetle the quintessential modern classic.

I think its too easy to label a car a "classic" simply due to its age. By default, all older cars (say 1970s and earlier) tend to be labelled as such. Thus, any car today, which survives, will eventually become a classic in the wider sense.

So it really depends on definitions. And this is where the problem lies. Because to define it more tightly, means you'd need to exclude certain cars. I am sure we can all think of some cars in the 1970s which were a bit (or a lot!) rubbish, yet still gain the classic label. How would you feel if people labelled the Mk1 Golf as a non-classic? How would you feel if they labelled the non-GTI models as such? Or the hatchbacks as classic, but not the convertible?

I think it comes down to whether they are valued (and I mean proper values based on buy/sell) which are higher than the actual usefulness of the car.

paul_c said

I think its too easy to label a car a "classic" simply due to its age. By default, all older cars (say 1970s and earlier) tend to be labelled as such. Thus, any car today, which survives, will eventually become a classic in the wider sense.

So it really depends on definitions. And this is where the problem lies. Because to define it more tightly, means you'd need to exclude certain cars. I am sure we can all think of some cars in the 1970s which were a bit (or a lot!) rubbish, yet still gain the classic label. How would you feel if people labelled the Mk1 Golf as a non-classic? How would you feel if they labelled the non-GTI models as such? Or the hatchbacks as classic, but not the convertible?

I think it comes down to whether they are valued (and I mean proper values based on buy/sell) which are higher than the actual usefulness of the car.

I agree with you 100% but like i said today in that cafe and through that window i saw little to stir the loins but i suppose my dad thought the same back in 1976.
mind you then cars looked different, most new cars look the same old basic shape now a days dam wind tunnels and aerodynamics have made all new cars look like these.









I could post up a load more all the same basic boring shape but im mindful of the sites bandwidth..

Depends on what you call a 'classic'.

Some cars become 'classic' because they were around in vast numbers and have all but disappeared. Family saloons and hatches like old Moggy Minors, 1100/1300s and more recently Fiats and Renaults, people have a soft spot for them as their family had one. When was the last time you saw a Strada or R14? Even the 90s Tipos have all but disappeared so it nice to see one at a show.  Meganes and Puntos will become future classics of this type

Some are classics becasue they are different and class leading when introduced. VW Beetle, Mini, 50s Bubble cars etc and develop a strong following. Perhaps Mercedes A-Class, Smart car and new hybrids will be the future classics of that type?

Some classics are becasue of performance/sporting prowess. Old rally Escorts, Audi Quattros, Ford Cosworths etc. Modern versions would be Subarus and Mitiswotsits.

Some classics are fun lifstyle cars. Practically any convertible; Beetle, Minor, MGs/Trs and now MR2s, MX5s and the raft of CC type vehicles.

High performance versions of mundane saloons and hatches always seem to have a following and this is where the MK1 comes in. Mini Coopers than 80s XRs,GTES and GTIs. Todays future classics will be Focus STs and MK5/6 GTIs/R32s Golfs.

Then you get some cars that fit more than one of the above. Golf GTI Cabrio for example ticks 3 boxes.

The original Subaru due to Colin McRae, the championship and it surpassed a lot of cars with it's technology… I'd vouch for that one  :dontknow:

tbh i think it will be the smaller imported figaros and such.

and as much as i hate it, the mx5,

but lets face it, things do change overtime, i never thought a mk1 fiesta would be a sought after classic. but it is!

Audi TT I believe will become a true classic, It changed a lot of designs back in 1999 when it was on our roads! :dontknow:

Maybe cars that people want to relive their teens again…. similar to us … so maybe…. dare I say it…. the Citroen Saxo and Pug 106?  There's a lot of them in the "scene" with young-uns due to cheap insurance and the Max Power scene!?!?

whatalotafun said

and as much as i hate it, the mx5

MX-5 is a definite. Shame to see anyone "hate" them, as though they are painfully slow in a straight line, twisty roads are absolutely awesome.

It's already 20 years old anyway so you could argue it's already a classic.

New scirocco i think.

Future classic right here

mk1 Focus RS and Mk1 Clio V6 maybe

tyeness said

whatalotafun said

and as much as i hate it, the mx5

MX-5 is a definite. Shame to see anyone "hate" them, as though they are painfully slow in a straight line, twisty roads are absolutely awesome.

It's already 20 years old anyway so you could argue it's already a classic.

my auntie has a mx5 bbr turbo le mains 24 hr limited edition (24 made) the only mx5 ive driven, and that aint slow in a stright line  

35k miles on a j plate garaged and does 5 miles a week max……. cant wait till she sells me that one….

now thats what you would call a garage find… (if i didnt know it was there)

may have to fight all my 4 brothers for that one…..