Most Euro cars sold well in the Australian market, with Alfa’s Berlina the only one regarded as a rarity when new, yet survivors in good condition still aren’t hard to find.
Walk back to the 1970s, along a classy coffee strip by the Harbour in Sydney or fronting the Bay in Melbourne. Look at the cars lining kerbs or idling in passing traffic, with air-con intended for Europe struggling on a hot mid-January day.
These brands represent every Common Market country that during the 1970s was exporting its products to Australia, but that is just a coincidence because each model secured a spot on its merits.
Most sold well in the Australian market, with Alfa’s Berlina the only one regarded as a rarity when new, yet survivors in good condition still aren’t hard to find.
Several of the selected models straddle the 1970s-80s divide but condition rather than age is the main contributor to value. And in most cases, a once-prestigious badge will cost no more than you might pay for an early Mini. In some cases, a lot less.
Peugeot 504
It won an African Safari Rally in 1975 and, with serious backing from the factory, might have upset Holden’s domination of the 1979 Repco Rally. Best of the breed is the 504Ti which sold here only from 1973-75 with 78kW. All were four-speed manual. A GL sold available until 1982 had auto optional and there was also a diesel. Peugeot seats are great for long-distance travel and 504s aren’t bad on fuel either. Local sources have some spare parts but Britain looks to be the place to find everything needed.
PRICE RANGE:
Fair: $3000
Good: $8500
Excellent: $13,500 (504 Ti)
Jaguar XJ6
One thing that won’t stress newcomers to Jaguar ownership is a struggle to find parts. Australia is home to several specialists in maintenance of older Jaguars. Britain and the USA have plenty more. The feature that defines the XJ6 is superb suspension, so if the one you’re considering doesn’t ride like a car a third of its age, don’t buy it. Neglected leather trim is also costly to replace. Pre-1974 Series 1 cars are scarce and often exceed $20,000, but the Series 3 Sovereign still offers value.
PRICE RANGE:
Fair: $4500
Good: $15,000
Excellent: $24,500 (Series 3 Sovereign 4.2)
Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
Back in the 1970s, a very tall Prime Minister chose the 450SEL in preference to a local Statesman because of abundant legroom. Nothing today has changed except that the Benz will likely cost considerably less than a Holden in similar condition. SEL seats were trimmed in bland but durable MB-Tex, with quality fittings and complex air-con that will cost plenty if not working. Keeping on top of maintenance is vital, so the only 450SEL to buy is one with lots of receipts for work recently done.
PRICE RANGE:
Fair: $4500
Good: $14,000
Excellent: $23,000 (450SEL)
BMW 528i
BMW’s Five Series was first seen here in 1974 but didn’t hit its best until the 1980s. Executive versions available from 1982-86 came with inclusions like a power sunroof and electric seat adjustment. Some had ABS braking and a few were manual. With 135kW from the single-cam 2.8, even cars with auto transmission deliver decent performance. A scarce M528i in nice condition was a $26,000 no sale at auction recently, however $20,000 should buy a very good Executive. Watch for rust and saggy suspension.
PRICE RANGE:
Fair: $4500
Good: $13,500
Excellent: $22,500 (528i Executive)
Citroen DS
The oldest design and most expensive car in this selection still feels advanced almost 70 years after it appeared. The version to get is a DS23 Pallas with the fuel injected 97kW engine. They are costly and complex but utterly majestic and competent under any conditions. You don’t win a World Cup rally (1974), a Round Australia Trial (1970) and get robbed of a London-Sydney Marathon without being extraordinary. $50,000 will buy a decent DS23, but an exceptional sedan or massive Safari wagon might cost $65,000.
PRICE RANGE:
Fair: $13,500
Good: $42,000
Excellent: $57,000 (DS23 Pallas)
Volvo 240GL
Volvo’s ubiquitous 240 Series first appeared in Australia during 1967 as the ground-breaking 142/144 Series. Bigger engines and a bulkier body arrived with the 244 in 1974, followed in 1983 by the 240 which survived until 1993. Most locally-sold 240s were fuel injected with 95kW and four-speed automatic transmission. All had all-wheel disc brakes, GLE versions will have factory air conditioning and cloth upholstery that seems to stand up well to a climate very different from the brand’s native Sweden.
PRICE RANGE:
Fair: $3000
Good: $7500
Excellent: $13,500 (240 GLE Sedan)
Alfa Romeo Berlina
Alfa Romeo built its local reputation with the 1600GT coupe and 1600Ti sedan then replaced the latter with a more attractive Berlina version. These arrived in 1968 as 1750s; all five-speed manual with four-wheel disc brakes. At $4695 the Berlina cost just $300 more than the smaller BMW 2002. 1972 brought a 1962cc engine, with automatic transmission optional from 1974. Fears were when including this model that available cars would be hard to find, however several appeared in the 2023 market at sensible prices.
PRICE RANGE:
Fair: $6500
Good: $18,500
Excellent: $26,000 (1750 Berlina)
Rover 3500 P6
Rover’s 2000 sedan was a lovely car, just lacking in performance. That was fixed in 1968 when Rover’s ex-Oldsmobile alloy V8 was slotted into the compact body to create the 3500V8. Rear legroom is tighter than in a Triumph 2000 but the seats are amazing and performance good – 0-100km/h in 9 seconds. 3500s are renowned for ride quality which comes at the expense of some body roll. Early versions were prone to overheating and fuel leaks from their angled carburettors, however they aren’t daunting cars to maintain.
PRICE RANGE:
Fair: $4500
Good: $10,000
Excellent: $16,500 (P6B Auto)
From Unique Cars #477, April 2023