The cars we should have bought, or are just glad we didn't...
Toyota Supra 2.8 – Advertised November 2007
Anyone who has seen an early-1980s Celica tottering around on ridiculously skinny rubber will understand why Toyota went all Schwarzenegger with the rims and wheel-arches for its six-cylinder Supra. Even with more rubber on the road, MA61 Supras make 134kW and were a handful. Despite looking mean, the MA61 did nothing of note in motor sport and collector interest remained muted until quite recently. Today, good cars pop up regularly and prices have climbed. Given its role as a cruiser not a competitor, the auto tranny in this one shouldn’t be an issue.
Then: $10,000. Now: $20,000-25,000
Citroen DS23 Safari – Advertised January 1996
First glance at a Safari would cause most people to visualise a car crossed with a basset hound that would belly out on every speed hump. Then you remember that these cars use hydro-pneumatic suspension and at the touch of a button can gain 15cm of clearance. Also recall that a DS sedan won the 1974 World Cup Rally and was robbed only by bad luck of the first London-Sydney Marathon. The Safari has a massive load-space and for a decent one back in 1996, $10,500 was very reasonable money. If you want one now, start digging in the back pocket for treble that amount.
Then: $10,500. Now: $25,000-30,000
Standard Vanguard Six utility – Advertised June 2000
How about this load-carrier from 1960 that sounded more like a sports car? Like the top-selling Holden ute the Vanguard had six cylinders but added dual carburettors, a four-speed gearbox with overdrive and a 140km/h top speed. This one also had the factory-fitted heater and optional radio. Vanguard utes used Australian-made bodies on chassis sourced from South Africa and although they weren’t officially sold in Britain some did make their way there. Condition hopefully helped this example achieve the asking price, however values haven’t moved a great deal.
Then: $4900. Now: $6500-7500
Vauxhall Viscount – Advertised June 1993
With its own Holden Premier kicking plenty of sales goals, Holden didn’t need any help from the toffee-nosed Vauxhall brand and dumped it in 1965. That didn’t deter a few diehard Vauxhall fans from showing up after extended UK holidays with a near-new one as unaccompanied baggage or stop Brit High Commission diplomats driving them. This car hopefully remained in Australia, thus avoiding the rust that afflicted most big Vauxhalls and sent them to a sudden but glorious death in UK ‘banger’ racing.
Then: $8000. Now: $8000-12,000
Classic Australian Family Car Value Guide home page
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