The misconception that collecting classic cars is out of reach of all but a few will be firmly put to rest next month with an auction in Cape Town that will show South Africans the range of investment cars available on the market.
Creative Rides CEO Kevin Derrick says classic car price bands begin below R100 000 and rise to… well, the sky is the limit.
“Last year we saw the record tumble for the most expensive classic car ever sold in the world, which was US$143 million for a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé.
“But what might surprise petrolheads wanting to be part of the collecting clique is that if they can afford a decent mass market modern pre-owned car, they can probably afford to buy a classic that will significantly appreciate in value in years to come rather than depreciate the second they drive away in it.”
Derrick says Creative Rides has specifically chosen its next auction selection to attract and introduce more enthusiasts to the collector car market.
“At the debut sale at our new showroom in Retreat in Cape Town on March 18, we’re offering everything from a legendary 1994 BMW 333i to the latest global collecting craze, which is the dramatically increasing value of Japanese manufacturer classics.”
Derrick says the accepted definition of a classic car is a model older than 30 years, “but some are far more collectable than others”.
“In South Africa there’s a unique category that’s always done well, and it’s based on our passion for all things local.
“We love cars built in South Africa for South Africa, and the value of these collectables is rising every year as a broader range of classic models hits the market.
“Many classics in this bracket are also phenomenal for novice collectors, because they offer value for money, they are immensely reliable, they’re built to last, they are inexpensive to insure, their values are increasing, and because they’re locally manufactured, parts are plentiful.”
Among Derrick’s top picks for novice collectors from the March 18th auction catalogue are:
- A white 1994 Nissan 300ZX TT in original condition. This one-owner, full service history 3L V6 twin turbo running on 16-inch Michelins has less than 62 000km on the clock. Launched in 1989, Nissan’s Z32 300ZX was the fourth generation of the famous Z-cars, with a completely refreshed design, featuring an all-aluminium, 3L Twin Turbo-charged V6 engine. Some updates to this model include a greater handling chassis boasting five-link independent rear suspension, a rear wheel steering fully redone and interior with loads more features, and radical new bodywork that retained the model’s signature Targa roof.
- A silver/blue 1987 Mercedes Benz 230E manual in great condition, running on 15-inch wheels sporting factory hubcaps, with an odometer reading of just 53 002km. The Mercedes-Benz 230 E was the most popular fuel-injected engine model of the W 123 series – the predecessor to the E-Class.
- A green Mercedes Benz 280TE automatic in good condition. The Mercedes-Benz 280TE was a variant of the S123 wagon that was launched in 1979 and ended its production run in 1985 with a total of less than 20 000 ever built.
- A black 1962 Mercedes Benz 220 Fintail, sporting a 2.2L 6-cylinder engine. Work on replacing the Pontons began in 1956 with a design focused on passenger comfort and safety, and thus the 220 “fintail” was born. Series production of the 4-door saloon began in 1959 and ran for nine years.
- A blue 2004 Audi RS6 automatic with a monster 4.2L V8 Twin Turbo engine, running on 18-inch period perfect Continentals and offering a spare set of factory 19-inch wheels. Thanks to its mighty 444bhp 4.2-litre V8 Twin Turbo engine, which was actually developed and tuned in the UK by Cosworth, it was Audi’s most powerful model at the time.
- A cream 1986 Ford Sierra XR6 manual transmission in good condition. The versions that were sold in South Africa were available with the 1.6L (Kent) and 2.0L (Pinto) four-cylinders, 2.3L V6 (Cologne) or 3.0L V6 (Essex) petrol engines. Due to the low cost of petrol, and the popularity of the old Cortina XR6 at the time, a Sierra XR6 was later launched which featured the popular Essex engine. The Ford Sierra achieved worldwide success for being a spacious, sporty, mid-sized car.
Derrick says these models are perfect for novice collectors wanting to dip their toes into the market, and all are already classics or fall into the investment car bracket.
“But two cars in the March auction that are already making huge waves among local collectors are the 1984 BMW 333i and the 1971 Ford Capri Perana.
“These are probably not for novice buyers unless they have big budgets – especially those eyeing the 333i, because only around 200 were ever produced.
“We certainly never expected to have one of these BMWs on auction and it’s unlikely that another one will ever come to auction again. This model is the legendary big brother of the cult status Gusheshe.”
Derrick offers these descriptions of the “hot list” models:
- The white 1984 BMW 333i was a special edition car created by a joint collaboration between BMW South Africa and Alpina Germany in 1984. It was based on the E30 3 Series and featured the M30B32 3.2L straight-six engine. The car was originally conceived for competition in South African Group 1 racing before the series was cancelled at the end of 1985, resulting in the continued production of the homologation road cars. The 3.2L engine produced 194 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful cars of its time. The 333i also featured upgraded suspension, brakes, and interior components over its standard counterparts. It was an incredibly well-built car that is legendary among collectors today.
- The red/black 1971 Ford Capri Perana automatic boasts a grunting V8 under the hood. In order for it to be affordable to the masses, Ford incorporated a number of engines into the Capri, with the most notable being the V6. Initially being introduced with a 1.6L engine to the South African market, Basil Green Motors quickly jumped into action, fitting a stonking 302ci V8 Ford Windsor engine, after Ford South Africa began offering 3.0 Essex-engined options, into the Perana. The Perana name, which was chosen by Basil’s wife and derived from the feared piranha fish species, was first used on the Mk2 Ford Cortina Perana in 1967, and over the years it was applied to various other Fords modified by the production company. As the only other car in the world allowed to be fitted with a Mustang engine under the Ford brand, this car is original, rate and very, very collectable.
Derrick says the full auction catalogue can be viewed at https://creativeridesauctions.com/ .
“The catalogue is available on the Creative Rides app as well, which is a free download on both Android and iOS. Collectors who can’t be at the auction in person in Cape Town on March 18th will be bidding on the app.”
Registration for the auction has just opened. Registration can be done by contacting Creative Rides, or electronically via the app.