Looking back through the Unique Cars classifieds
Ford Escort Twin-Cam – Advertised August 2005
‘Twinks’ as these cars became known were generally awful to own unless you were – or knew – a talented mechanic with infinite patience. Not many sold in Australia and the ones that did would frequently be turned into circuit racers or rally cars. Hardly any Twin Cams survive as road cars and this one with an enticing price and unusual colour would have sold quickly. A genuine Australian build T/C did some months back reach $20,000 at auction but it was tatty and missing its motor. UK sales of good cars at £45-55,000 provide better indications of local value.
Then: $16,500. Now: $80,000-90,000
Vauxhall Velox – Advertised April 1991
This is how, 30 or so years ago, people got themselves into an older car with a bit of style and paid almost no money for it. PB Vauxhalls sold side by side with the EH Holden when new so there weren’t a lot around, but they were well-built and comfy and did everything at least as well as an EH. This one needed a new indicator and a few whacks with the panel hammer to straighten that dinged guard before quite likely sailing through a roadworthy and being back on the road. Would be nice to think it was still with us, however PBs are a model rarely seen now, even at GM Display Days.
Then: $300. Now: $4500-6000
Audi 90 Super – Advertised May 1987
From humble beginnings, great things sometimes spring and so it was with Germany’s revived Audi brand. Originally a luxury offshoot of Auto-Union, Audi hibernated from 1939 until taken over by Volkswagen in 1964. A new DKW F103 model was included in the deal but VW preferred Audi as a brand name, so during 1965 the Super 90 made its debut. Australia might never have seen this model except that during 1966 BMW began poking its nose into our market and spurred Volkswagen to respond. The 90 was a nice car but expensive and only a few hundred would have been sold here.
Then: $2500. Now: $6500-8000
Triumph Herald Coupe – Advertised December 1993
Back when they were new and for some decades after, open-top Heralds were pretty much the cheapest four-seat convertibles in our market. Today, of course, there are newish Audis and BMWs you can buy for a lot less than a Herald, but during the 1990s that $9995 was top money. Heralds of all kinds, including convertibles which sold there until 1971, remain easy to find on the UK market and £6000 buys a good one. Here they are less common and owners seem keen to hold onto what they have, with prices headed towards $20,000.
Then: $9995. Now: $16,000-18,000
From Unique Cars 478, May 2023