Automobile technology has been rapidly evolving, recently, we have been introduced to technologies such as self-parking, driverless innovations and luxury features such as surround sound and headed seats. But, for many, vintage cars cannot be beaten. Older automobiles were designed differently – their flowing lines and curves unlike the cars of today. And, the drive is different too — original cars require more manual work from the owner which leads them to favour the journey over their destination. Manufacturer of stair lifts, Acorn Stairlifts take a closer look at classic cars from around the world…
The Mini
The Mini has Britain wrote all over it. It is iconic to Britain as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the red double decker bus. Just like a storyline from a movie, the design of the car was penned out on a napkin in a restaurant by Alec Issigonis in 1956. By 1959, the car had been launched, named the Morris Mini Minor at the time (known as simply the Mini ten years later) and it went on to become the best-selling British car in history.
The overall goal of the automobile was to provide passengers with plenty of legroom whilst remaining under 10ft long. In fact, 80% of the car was devoted to passenger and luggage space. Since the boot was smaller, Mini came up with a solution to maximise on space. The company offered the extra option of picnic wicker baskets which fit perfectly underneath the rear passenger seats and were ideal for transporting belongings from A to B.
There were innovations used when fitting the compact engine, the Mini was unconventionally placed on its side in order to slide the engine in the smaller space and this concept is still used today when creating smaller vehicles. Wheels on other cars at the time were generally around 15 and 16 inches, those on the Mini however were a tiny 10-inches to maximise interior space.
Value Today: £5,000 – £50,000 depending on the model, age and condition.
The Fiat 500
Iconic to Italy, The Fiat 500 2007 version gets hired by many tourists to travel around the country in style. Fiat has produced many products that weren’t related to the automobile industry, such as aircraft engines and military equipment during World War II. Their first car rolled off the production line in 1900 and, in the same year, their manufacturing plant was established which lead to the production of 24 cars per year.
The Fiat 500 was originally designed to be an affordable small car for everyone, the brand later went on to produce many successful models such as the 514, 525 and the SuperFiat. The original Fiat 500, commonly known as Topolino, was launched in 1937. It stood out from competitors with a lowered aerodynamic nose profile whilst others had a flatter grille. Fiat went on to produce two further models of the 500, one in 1957 and the other in 2007.
Standing at 4ft tall and weighed in at just half-a-ton, made it a lightweight and compact compared to other cars on the market.
Value Today: £4,000 – £50,000 depending on model, age and condition.
Volkswagen Beetle
Unknown to how the Beetle got its name, the first time the reference was used in print was in a 1958 edition of Autosport magazine and the use of the term continued to grow. Built either side of World War II, it took a while for the Beetle to gain popularity. Just as the first few cars were manufactured in 1938, the war begun and the factory was used for war efforts instead. It wasn’t until 1947 when people finally got behind the wheel of the automobile.
The Beetle was built to be strong rather than beautiful although it has an iconic profile that makes it wanted today. One of the features that many collectors love is the original split-rear window design that got replaced by a single oval window in 1952. Unlike smaller vehicles that were around at the same time, the Beetle accommodated for four adult passengers with plenty of storage beneath the seats and in the boot.
Beetle collectors tend to receive cars of different power depending on when the care was manufactured. Originally made with 24 horsepower, the model underwent many engine enhancements which left the car with a horsepower of 57 by 1970.
Value Today: £1,000 – £40,000 depending on model, age and condition.
Ford Mustang
The original Mustang was manufactured in America in 1964 and the sixth generation of motor is still being sold today. The ‘Stang started the ‘pony car’ craze in America — a collection of vehicles which were affordable, sporty and had a performance-oriented image... and with higher car insurance rates. This class of cars were aimed towards a younger market than the traditional car buyer and they proved popular. In fact, 22,000 sales of the model were made on its release date.
The goal of the model was to make the car original and not like any other. This was achieved through its sporty coupe silhouette and short rear decks. The generations that came after the ’64 version seemed to become wider and longer in size, yet still remaining as popular.
It’s believed that the classic Mustang is either the 1964 model or 1972. This encompassed vintage models such as the Shelby Mustang Lineup, Boss Mustangs and the Cobra Jet.
Value Today: £6,500 – £70,000 depending on model, age and condition.
Finish Line
There are many collectors that take pride in restoring classic cars. They often strip the entire vehicle apart and put them back together with new parts. The prices of each model range massively due to the quality of the vehicle, new or used vehicle condition, the mileage and the model — which one takes your fancy at the finish line? Tweet us @MikeSchiemer #BootstrapBusiness with your favorite classic car.
