I think cars have to get to a certain vintage before they are regarded as classics or restoration projects. In Germany, the H plates apply to cars in good condition that are over 30 years old (e.g.Golf mk III) and vehicles newer than that are just old cars.
For me certain cars attract a following. That then drives a whole side industry of modifications, restorations and so on. They become desirable and collectable.
To my knowledge, there isn’t a desire for a mk1 Toyota Rav 4. But a mk1 Ford Escort, VW Golf, early VW vans, Ford Capri, Sierra Cosworth and so on have a following and in cases increase in value.
Rally or racing success plays a part in this. As does lifestyle stuff i.e. camping or surfing for the vans. The dawn of the hot hatch era too.
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Yes, I suppose it’s possibly icon status. The VW Beetle and Bulli van have that association with hippy culture. The Austin Mini is swinging 60s. Things like the Escort, Capri, Cortina were working class icons.
My old mechanic in Scotland used to restore old cars as a hobby/downtime in the garage, and he had some unusual ones on the go. A Vauxhall Victor, for example, which is maybe not ultra desirable, but is still of interest historically.
I found an article here about popular UK classics:
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Some of these had racing / rally pedigree too. Escort Mexico for example is worth an absolute fortune now, if you can find one. There was the Lotus Cortina too I think. That relationship spat out the Lotus Carlton too. Oh my what an beast of engineering that was.
I’m more into the VW bus side where people are prepared to pay thousands for the shell of a mk1 split screen. When the T5 came out, the market shifted, and honestly while you still see them on the road, I can’t see many restoring them in 10 -15 years time, not sure they’ll last either for that matter.
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I have a Honda CRV hybrid, perfect for my needs. I would get a hybrid and do away with range anxiety. I like the driving position and a bit more room, hence the CRV, but a Camry hybrid is a great option too if you want a car.
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Yes, but which Corolla? I don’t know about abroad but in Japan there’s quite a range of Corolla cars. There is the standard Corolla saloon and the current version does look pretty good, but I’d go for the Corolla Cruising which is called the Corolla Touring Sports in the UK. I also like the Corolla Commercial (the Fielder in Japan) but I get laughed at for saying that.
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As a kid, I was told to always wear clean underwear in case I was hit by a bus.
This is standard practice for working class mothers, who are more concerned that they will be pulled up for letting their offspring leave the house with used pants, rather than any potential life changing injuries.
It’s also rather pointless, because I would imagine being hit by 15 tonnes of public service vehicle is likely to lead to instant incontinence.
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If that woman didn’t know what her husband’s meat and 2 veg looked like then something isn’t right.
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First time I’ve ever seen one of these…
Advertised on Marketplace as a 1970 VW Transporter - £7K
(might be a custom job that doesn’t look too good eh.!).
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:0)
They used to use these as milk delivery vans when i was a kid, I was getting a fiver a week as a 13 year old milkboy.
I remember laying on the footboard in winter keeping warm from the exhaust.
Not sure that would be allowed these days
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No they were definitely manufactured. I think my Mum has a picture of my Dad next to one..I have a matchbox model of one somewhere too.
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Produced 1968-1979 according to this:
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I’ve heard the fake engine sound thing, and they are awful.
If you can give an electric car a fake sound, then surely you will make it sound like the Tardis?
It also seems like they got winners of the primary 2 art class to design their replica front grilles
A friend of mine bought a Citroen C1 purely for a cheap commuting car, nipping through town kind of thing.
He decided to fit an eBay dump valve noise simulator thingy to it. One of the most hilarious journeys I’ve ever been on. It would probably grow thin after a while but for the laughs at the time were priceless.
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A bit like getting Brian Blessed as the Sat Nav voice.
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