The difference between "old", "rare" or "classic" is very hard to define. In my own opinion there are very few true classic cars (think XK 120,Beetle, 2CV, Traction Avant, E Type, DB4/5/6, 105 Alfas etc). So, none of the Alfas listed come close for me as classics, they'll be "old and interesting".
Yes sorry. A classic car for me is one that was a ground breaking production car or one that has gained legendary status for some reason. The SZ is only a classic in Alfa circles.
Personally, the only 90's to early Y2K Alfa's that will be up there in the collectables section will be few owners, good quality original examples and GTA's, sporting the Busso V6. Just the look, design, engineering and noise (as regarded by most as the best sounding V6 in the w-o-r-l-d - with my best Clarkson voice) of that engine will give it proper clout. Afterall this is the closest thing to a Ferrari engine by the chap who did their V8's. nuff said :thumbs:
Twin Sparks - possibly in 2.0 format in Veloce/Lusso spec (smaller units / Turismo - not a chance) The stigma is that bottom end coming from Fiat - didn't it come off a Tipo??
Diesels - I can't think of anyone I know who would be up for a future classic with an oil burner - doesn't really the float the boat of owning a collectable / classic car.
(I've probably upset a few by my anti-diesel'ist comments, but I have an oil burner alongside the two petrol Alfa's and the only thing diesel is good for is mileage and economy for the daily commute) - I wouldn't be tucking one away thats for sure
On the GT front, it would need to be a Black Line / Cloverleaf edition - not sure if that got a V6 or just 1.8TS ??
So in short, you need to buy a V6. Period :thumbs:
Favourite top 5 .... anything with a V6 ... If you can actually find a top notch 164 V6 they are at good money already and will only go up!!
The electronics (ECU, etc) on modern classics worry me. How (and at what price) will we sort these out when they go wrong?
Older (pre-electonic) classics do not have such issues so new parts can usually be re-made economically.
I therefore suggest that we will only have the classic cars we already have so GTVs, 166s, etc will never become true classic cars that are well looked after and consequently appreciate in price so that whatever goes wrong will be put right.
Chris
Though (in the GTV at least) theres nothing as complex as CANBUS, just analogue sensors and good old fashioned Italian wiring :lol: Should be fairly straightforward to re-wire into a megasquirt.
In 30 years time current day electronics will be as simple as plugs and points are to todays classic car owners. Don't forget that electronic ignition came in during the mid '70s along with fuel injection both of which baffled owners of the time. The mark 3 Granada had ABS as standard in 1985.
A car becomes a classic when the majority of a model ceases to be used as an everyday normal car and then gets used as a second car on a classic limited mileage policy.Most of the Alfas on this forum are infact enthusiasts cars.
I'm sure you could consider even a new Spider as a classic car on some level, as it's not a 'standard' regular-use kind of car. Is a new Ferrari a classic car? Is it treated as one?
Ok then - so is a Beetle a classic car? A Morris 1100? Once they weren't - but now, they're treated like the Ferrari, so they must be?
The term 'future classic' really gets my back up, as it's usually used by someone trying to flog something that's average, old, and worn-out
When the classic car magazines began in the 70s, the most sought-after 'practical classics' were MGs and Triumphs that were less than ten years old at that time. Forty years on, little has changed. A vintage car is still something from the 1920s. An MGB is still a 'classic'. A 23-year-old 164, the pinnacle of 80's technology, is just an old car - with people mumbling about it being a future classic. (I love 164s).
So I agree with the viewpoints above that nothing will really change - cars like my Uno Turbo will become rare but never classic - and we need to move on from the old c-word, perhaps to an enlightened time when any car that's an object of pride, regardless of age, can be seen as a "cherished car" - for that is what counts at the end of the day.
A new spider is not a classic yet.Enthusiasts car yes.A fiat uno turbo has got to be a classic
surely most of those are not in regular use and owned by club members.And if the majority of 164s are still being run to the ground I agree its not a classic,but if most of them are owned and garaged by club members their classic cars.
I think most cars made today could be future classics as one day when most of them are gone people will get nostalgic.
If a cortina is classic surely any car will eventually be classic.
I do believe the alfas above will be future classics . Many moons ago my dad bought a series one land rover then an old car and now a.classic i have a feeling my gtv will be the same
Something I would ragard as a classic car has to be a bit special or rare when it was new.
An E-type Jag, Gordon Keeble, or other car that is rare or was groundbreaking is a classic. But to me something like a Morris minor 1000 is just an old ordinary car.
I know that this wasn't featured on the original title of the thread, but to me it seems a real shame that the 8C seems destined to be a static museum piece. You see so many advertised for sale with delivery mileage or a nominal mileage which for a 5 year old car is a pity. Surely there must be some that get driven enthusiastically as intended. I realise that the price means that they are beyond the reach of the average Alfisti and I suppose the counter argument would be that a serious collector would want a low mileage example. I think they already have the classic status.
I have classic & agreed value on both my best spider & GTV v6...both 14 yrs old.
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