APRIL 1991 – PONTIAC PARISIENNE
The last Pontiacs assembled in Australia were 1968-shape cars which could have been sold new through GM-Holden dealers until mid-1970. They used Canadian bodies with a Chevrolet engine and transmission, plus some locally sourced interior parts and disposable items like tyres and batteries. Pontiacs were more expensive than locally-built Chevrolet Impalas and this one as a used car looked well underpriced. Perhaps the vendor was struggling with the 1990s recession and needed cash. Providing it survives in decent condition, whoever now owns this one should be happy with its value.
THEN: $6700
NOW: $35-40,000
SEPTEMBER 2000 – CHRYSLER WAYFARER V8
Back before the bureaucrats ran our motor industry to its eventual destruction, any business that made a living from assembling cars needed a locally-made utility. Based on the Royal sedan, which was itself a Canadian Plymouth, 1205 Wayfarers were made from 1958-60: mostly with Chrysler’s 230 cubic inch six-cylinder engine. The V8 with Torqueflite automatic transmission was rare and most likely installed in Wayfarers that were destined for conversion to ambulances. Finding one that spent its life as a ute won’t be easy, especially in similar condition to this near-perfect example.
THEN: $19,000
NOW: $35-40,000
NOVEMBER 2003 – HONDA S800 COUPE
Here’s a perfect example of the dilemma facing owners of low-value but mechanically complex cars. Do you sideline the thing until one day when you find the money to get the original motor repaired? Or do you opt for a non-standard motor and make everyone happy except the nitpicking purists? Just how many of Honda’s little hatchbacks survive is hard to estimate because they rarely appear, even at car shows and overseas auctions. Overseas estimates for outstanding cars with authentic engines range from A$40,000 to more than $60,000, although a lot fail to reach reserve.
THEN: $6500
NOW: $35-45,000
JUNE 2009 – FORD GALAXIE WAGON
Ambulance constructors and hearse suppliers loved Ranch Wagon derivatives of Ford’s ‘Tank’ Fairlane. Following the Tank’s demise in 1962, Australia saw restyled Galaxie sedans and hardtops, but very few wagons. We suspect any that arrived here new are gone and this left-hand drive example hadn’t been here long before being advertised. If it was indeed rust-free then the asking price was well below typical for the time. Checking availability in the USA, they aren’t easily found there but not expensive either at US$18-25,000.
THEN: $12,900
NOW: $30-35,000
MAY 1996 – MORRIS OXFORD
Recent sales of cars similar in age, size and condition to this Morris suggest that any hope owners might harbour of making money when selling Vintage Era cars is in vain. The Oxford was a solid and very successful middle-class car with1.5 litres and four-wheel brakes that managed to sell 185,000 before the Great Depression cut exports to places like Australia. Cars like this Empire version which were sent in their thousands to the Colonies deserve preservation but good examples, should any remain, are likely to be worth less than $20,000.
THEN: $12,875
NOW: $18-20,000
AUGUST 1996 – DE TOMASO DEAUVILLE
Alejandro de Tomaso was a Brazilian-born Italian who was way better at building a business empire than he was at creating cars, but still left behind some memorable designs. Sadly, the four-door Deauville didn’t enjoy the same USA market success as De Tomaso’s Pantera and just 244 were made during 17 years of production. Deauvilles were sold here and a survivor, which had been in the retail market at $120,000, was recently sold via an online auction for a tad over $51,000. USA and European auction prices of between A$32,000 and $38,000 suggest the local result could be a record.
THEN: $32,000
NOW: $45-55,000
AUGUST 1999 – TOYOTA MR2 AW11 SUPERCHARGED
If the Honda hatchback elsewhere on this page was the pauper’s E-Type Jaguar, then Toyota’s MR2 was a Dino for the impecunious. Early versions offered immense fun for budding rally aces; sudden onset of oversteer taking it into almost the same realm as a Lancia Stratos. AW11s sold new in Australia only had 88kW but supercharged cars in Japanese market (JDM) spec were said to make 107kW. The USA market is now home to a lot of AW11 S/Cs and values hover in the US$20-25,000 range. Here they are becoming more common and remain generally cheaper than aspirated versions.
THEN: $13,500
NOW: $25-30,000