When I was a lad, before I hit the magical seventeen years of age and acquired my driving license, there were a number of cars I really, really wanted to drive. These were the hot hatches of the day, usually owned by friends of friends or their older brothers. Cars like the Fiesta Xr2i, Peugeot 205 GTI and Golf GTI.
Nowadays these are increasingly being awarded ‘classic’ status, instantly making me feel older than I really am.They’re reaching the point where numbers are staring to dwindle and the ones that are left are being snapped up by enthusiasts, and that in turn is starting to push up prices.
If you’re interested in cars like this then you should keep an eye out for an auction happening soon at Brooklands. Historics, the classic and sports car auctioneer, are bringing four ‘modern classics’ to its sale on Saturday 26th May.
These are cars that I remember fondly. The Fiesta XR2i, for example, appeared in 1981 and was a huge success, providing a lot of teenagers with their first taste of performance motoring. The 1981 model presented by Historics has benefitted from a full, ground-up restoration, including bare metal re-spray and engine rebuild, and arrives at auction in immaculate condition.
1981 Ford Fiesta XR2i
This particular XR2i is one of only 30 such examples known to exist. That makes the expected price of between £6,000 and £8,000 sound entirely plausible, and if you’re looking for depreciation free motoring then it is worth a punt.
Likewise the 205 GTI. The standard 205 revitalised Peugeots image and sales success, and the GTI is widely acknowledged to be one of the best hot hatches of all time.
1990 Peugeot 205 GTI
Historics’ Peugeot 205 GTI is a 1990 1.6-litre model that has had one owner from new (yes, just one). Expectations are that it will fetch somewhere between £4,000 and £6,000, which sounds like something of a bargain to me.
Of course, you can’t talk about 80s hot hatches without mentioning the Mk1 Golf GTI, the car that kicked off the mass appeal of the hot hatch when it was first release in 1977.
1989 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 Cabriolet
This particular Golf isn’t the hatchback version of the Mk1 GTI but is instead the cabriolet, sharing the same mechanicals but without a solid roof. this one has been upgraded with the ‘Clipper’ kit that brings body-coloured bumpers, wheel arch extensions and side skirts. There’s no reserve on it so it will be sold on the day.
Also going up for sale with no reserve is a 1989 Lancia Delta HF Integrale KAT. Another car to win numerous awards and plaudits, the Lancia Delta Integrale was the basis for the back-to-back World Rally championship winning car.
1989 Lancia Delta HF Integrale KAT
The KAT model was a special model for the Swiss market and, like all unmodified Integales, is left-hand drive. This one features the renowned bottom end of the 16 valve engine, combined with the reliable turbo-charged top end of the eight valve unit, to deliver the best mix of peak performance and durability.
“Large production numbers are an obvious indicator of success, but as always, it’s immaculate examples that will command the top prices and drive future interest” – Edward Bridger-Stille, Historics’ Auction Director.
Get in there if you want to snap up a future classic. All four of these cars are likely to appreciate in value if you look after them. If I had a few grand spare I’d be after one for myself.
