Tomorrow’s Hottest Old Cars

As they say, hindsight is 20-20, particularly when it comes to collectibles. If only we had prevented Mom from tossing out our collection of 1960’s Silver Age comic books … if only we had preserved our first Barbie doll in her original box … if only we had bought our uncle’s 1964 Ford Mustang when we had the chance … and so on. Sure somebody might win the enthusiast’s library and find, say, the first Spider Man comic at a garage sale, or a vintage Chevy Corvette that’s been long forgotten under a pile of hay at the back of a barn, but it’s the smart collectors who know a good thing when they see it and are able to hold onto it for future appreciation. Most cars are virtually guaranteed to lose their value - and lose it quickly - over time, which makes the very idea of “investing” in a new vehicle seem foolish on its face. Still, the collectible market is red-hot these days, with well-kept or fully restored vintage rides from the muscle-car era in particular commanding six-figure sales prices. So which of the current fleet of cars stand to be worth more down the road? The valuation experts at Hagerty Insurance in Traverse City, Mich, an agency that specializes in coverage for vintage transportation, recently released its annual “Hot List” of current models priced at under $100,000 that are the most likely to be treasured by future automotive aficionados. “Most new car news focuses on the latest interactive technology, alternative power sources, and the race to increased efficiency,” says Hagerty president and CEO, McKeel Hagerty. “But for a car to be collectible in the future, it has to be cool right off the assembly line. A collectible car has to grab you and not let you go.” Here’s a quick look at Hagerty’s Hot List of future collectibles for 2014 with our own commentary: 1. Jaguar F-Type R. This stunningly sleek two-seater recently debuted as Jaguar’s first new pure sports car in decades. The Type R coupe packs a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that nets 550 horsepower and affords a 0-60 mph time of just 4.0 seconds. MSRP: $99,000. 2. BMW M5. The sportiest rendition of this popular midsize luxury sedan is costly, but delivers the goods with ultra-quick cornering and sudden acceleration. MSRP: $92,900. 3. Chevrolet COPO Camaro. Only 69 units of this drag strip-ready modified Camaro will be built, which all but ensures exclusivity. MSRP: $90,000. 4. Lamborghini Ghibli S. The name can be a mouthful, but this four-door Italian luxury car is a tasty performer thanks to a twin-turbocharged 410-horsepower V6 engine. MSRP: $75,000. 5. Alfa Romeo 4C. Another newly landed Italian immigrant, the small and sporty 4C returns a stored nameplate to the U.S. market. 6. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. Only in its seventh generation over six decades, a new ‘Vette is rare, and the redesigned 2014 Stingray version is a beauty, delivering exotic car looks and performance at an affordable price. MSRP: $51,000. 7. Nissan 370Z NISMO. The “Z” has been around in its current form for several years, but gets a host of performance and appearance upgrades for this limited-production rendition. MSRP: $43,000. 8. Dodge Challenger Shaker. Dodge shakes up its large performance coupe with this muscle car-inspired special edition with a potent V8 engine and a bulging hood scoop. MSRP: $37,000. 9. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X. Hagerty notes that vintage SUVs represent the fastest-growing segment of automotive collectibles, with the Rubicon X being one of the most off-road capable production models for 2014. MSRP: $35,095. 10. Ford Fiesta ST. At best, the Fiesta is little more than basic transportation, but it’s transformed into one feisty ride in the top ST model with a 197-horsepower engine and assorted other performance-minded upgrades. MSRP: $21,400.