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| Authors note: Please be aware that what follows is just my opinion based on my experiences in this subject. All matters relating to motoring law, or any other legal/official matters should be pursued with the relevant authorities. I cannot accept any liability for loss/damage/divorce/grey hair or any other misfortune based on any of the following advice, given as it is in good faith only. Ta. |
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Luxo barges have always had a good following within the hallowed ranks of preservationists, just look at the gleaming examples of Rover P4 and P5, Humber Hawk / Imperial / Super Snipe, Daimler, the odd Lanchester, Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Bentley to name just a few. But what of the modern cars should we be looking to preserve?? Lets take Jag for starters. The XJ Series 1/2/3 line is already firmly entrenched in the classic car world, with the later XJ40 no doubt to join the ranks soon. The X300 is as much of a certainty as any other Jag/Daimler, especially the last of the line (6.0 V12) XJ12 models. So what else? BMWs ... 5 series are ten a penny and unlikely to be preserved very widely, apart from some of the livelier versions, including the M5 and M535i (either E28 or E34 shape). And the 3 series?? well the E23 shape M3 BMW is already assured classic greatness, and amongst the leagues of more obtainable models, I suspect convertibles and the tourings (estates) might be worth representing in preservation. The 7 series has always been a rarer sight that the more humdrum models in the range, but surely the 750, BMWs first venture into the V12 market, should be in there, as should the sister 850, especially the Motorsport (M) version, the 850CSi, following on as it does from the mighty 1970s Batmobile 3.0CSLs and 1980s M635CSi. Mercedes? there will always be a select band of MB Owners Club people who preserve MBs of any age. For me Merc lost their way a little once the W126 S Class was withdrawn, only recently rediscovering that big cars needn't look like a battleship on wheels. For me, the most preservation worthy Mercs of recent times are the SLs of the 1980s, and bigger engined versions of the 190 2.5-16, powered by the Cosworth-reworked 2.5 litre engine. Middle range Mercs, such as the E and C class, are fine cars in themselves, although IMHO not especially memorable or remarkable. If you have very deep (and full) pockets, snap up the new Mclaren developed SLR and you will have a gilt edged classic from day 1. Luxury motors have often been subject to the attentions of tuning firms around the globe, and if you look hard enough there are wild versions of BMWs (eg Alpina, Sytner or Hartge), Mercedes (primarily AMG), and Jaguars (TWR, Chasseur, Lister and Avon). If such vehicles are a tad vulgar in your view, then why not consider a gentlemanly carriage from the Crewe works of Rolls Royce? Early Shadow 1s and 2s are dipping into MGB money now, and although a bit heavy on fuel (you could convert it to LPG), can make for a surprisingly affordable classic experience. Available from as little as 3 grand, a minter can be found for around £7k and with regular maintenance should maintain its condition for ever more. If Rollers are a little too chintzy, then there is also the Bentley to consider. Manys the time I've perused the local Autotrader and lusted over a Mulsanne Turbo R for around the price of a new (zzz) Ford Focus. Stonking performance from a 2+ ton motorcar is available here, the turbocharged 6.75 litre V8 being more than capable of seeing off buzzy little hot hatches, leaving them in its sizeable wake. And to many eyes the Mulsanne could well be the last true Bentley, as the Spirit & Seraph could be seens as the last proper Rolls Royces, before VWs and BMWs (the new owners) influence takes hold. Ford have usually fielded fully loaded versions of their biggest barges, and it could be that the old square Granadas, especially the toy-laden Ghia X, may find representatives on the show field, although whether the hideously ugly facelifted Granada Scorpios ever find such a welcome is open to debate. Vauxhall have been similarly lacklustre when it comes to true pedigree luxury machines, their only attempts in this market lately have been several incarnations of Senator, or the fastback Opel Monza, although neither being particularly outstanding, not unless you have a fetish for crushed velour interiors. The Omega is Vauxhalls latest offering, being popular with both Senior Sales reps and the motorway Police alike. Japan has also been a contender in the executive car marke for 3 decades now, initially launching hideous gadget-laden monsters such as the Toyota Crown in the 70s, through several forgettable yawns in the 80s, through to the accomplished but oh-so-bland Lexus in the 1990s, rivalled only for dullness by the Honda Legend or possibly the lesser-spotted Nissan Maxima, none of which are likely to set the hearts of car collectors aflutter in the future methinks. American cars have always been a rare sight on the roads of the UK, the best leviathons from Cadillac and Lincoln rarely to be spotted on our tiny roads. Most US cars seem to be designed with the sole intention of providing a boulevard ride in the straight ahead position only, launch one into a corner and Steve Mcqueen Bullitt-style tyre squeal is the order of the day, not something that your be-suited Exec necessarily wants when pulling up in front of the Hilton for a high brow business conference. Assuming you actually live in an area that consists mostly of straight roads, you aren't necessarily out of the woods yet when it comes to running an American car over here. There is also the question of styling. It must be said that many American cars possess very questionable styling, with chrome and whilewall tyres being the order of the day, and interiors that require dark glasses at all times, liberally fitted out as they are with acres of buttoned velour and slabs of 'wood' that wouldn't look out of place on a 1970s teak hi-fi unit. Nope, US tanks will always be the preserve of eccentric stetson wearing Brits who have a penchant for line dancing and Budweiser, and scant disregard for the spiralling fuel costs in the UK. And good on 'em! |
| This is Part 4 of a 5 part article on what cars now may be worth preserving for the future [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] |
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