Warning over Eighties ‘boom’

Bide your time if you are in the market for an Eighties bargain – because the current boom in popularity for older cars won’t last!

Ashes To Ashes, the current hit BBC television series, is being credited with raising the profile of many of that decade’s models – but the experts at Glass’s Guide claim the resulting hike in values will only be temporary.

Auto Express used car columnist Simon Henstock, network operations director at Brit­ish Car Auctions, has already noted the surge in interest caused by the show (Issue 1,000) – in which lead character DCI Gene Hunt drives a legendary Audi Quattro. However, John Glynn, editor of Glass’s Older Car guide, is sceptical about its long-term effects. He said: “Prices for red Audi Quattros may enjoy a blip while the programme is on air, but it is unlikely to have a direct impact on prices in future.”

The recent increased interest has seen prices for a tidy Quattro rise to around £7,000. Yet Glynn claimed certain modern classics were in rude health before Ashes started. “Enthusiasts do not need TV dramas to remind them how interesting models of that era are,” he added. “Prices have been rising for some time, and the Quattro is already an established favourite among Eighties supercars. The same is true of the Porsche 911 – it has always been popular with aficionados of the period.”

So, what does this mean for enthusiasts? Well, prices for many Eighties models are creeping up anyway, but wait for the excitement surrounding the latest TV series to subside, and it could save you money.