Rising from the ashes?

The weekly BBC drama Ashes to Ashes – the time-travelling thriller that involves the use of many iconic cars from the 1980s – is being hailed by some industry pundits as good news for values of modern classic cars. However, according to EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide to Older Car Values, forecasts of any long-term additional improvement in prices for cars similar to those used in the programme are “overly optimistic.”

TV programmes and magazine features that raise the profile of particular models are often expected to have a positive effect on prices, but EurotaxGlass’s suggests this sort of populist exposure does not usually have a lasting impact. “Though Ashes to Ashes is undoubtedly entertaining, and prices for red Audi Quattros in particular may enjoy a minor blip while the series remains on air, the show is unlikely to have a direct and quantifiable long-term impact on Quattro prices,” says John Glynn, Editor of the Older Car Guide.

According to Glynn, values of certain modern classics are already riding high. “Enthusiasts do not need TV shows to remind them how interesting the cars of the era were. They already know, and prices have been rising accordingly for some time. The Audi Quattro, which is the vehicular centrepiece of the Ashes to Ashes series, is already an established favourite amongst ’80s supercars, and the best examples have never struggled to find appreciative owners.

“The same is true of the Porsche 911, a car that has always been popular with ’80s aficionados, and for which prices have been on the rise for quite some time. Even seemingly ordinary cars, such as the Mark 2 Ford Escort, have legions of devoted followers chasing the best examples, and prices for special editions such as the Harrier will often surpass good-condition Quattros and 911 Coupes.”

Other notable examples of ’80s cars enjoying rising popularity include the Ford Capri 2.8i and some of the rarer Japanese cars of the era, such as the Toyota Corolla GT Coupe. Prestige cars of the day are also increasing in price – cars like the Ferrari 328, Lotus Esprit and Aston Martin V8 Vantage; the Aston in particular has enjoyed a huge rise in fortunes over the last few years.