Who doesn't love icons like Porsche 911, Volkswagen Beetle, and Alfa Romeo Spider? A few known historic names dominate the classic car market, but the fluctuating nature of the market is always looking for the next big thing.
Today, the definition of a collector's car is as broad as the car market itself. Any car can reach collector car status as long as someone puts in the time, money, and love it takes to preserve it. Still, some models have managed to stay under the radar of most collectors. Why is that the case? The reasons vary from speed and power to looks that were ahead of their time. But most often, these cars were simply overshadowed by their more popular contemporaries, despite similar performance.
The cars in this list come from both giants and forgotten brands in the car manufacturing industry, but they are all gaining steady if slow recognition due to their looks, performance, and quirks. If you are a collector looking for hidden gems, here are ten European classics that are more or less affordable.
10 Hillman Imp
When it came out in 1963, the Hillman Imp was the first car to be made in Scotland in 35 years. Rootes had every hope that the Hillman Imp would be able to rival the iconic Mini. But even though the Imp carried the better engine (a four-cylinder and very lightweight aluminum one), it was made obsolete by the Mini. Today, as then, the Hillman Imp has a rather deserved reputation for unreliability. Rootes’s rush to get the car thrown into the market left a lifelong impact on its quality. Even then, the Imp suffered from defective water pumps, overheating, water leaks, throttle issues, and subpar performance.
The Hillman Imp eventually ceased production in 1976, and Chrysler later took over Rootes Group. Despite having no shortage of complications, the Imp is still the most celebrated car model to have come out of Scotland and is one of the bad cars with a cult following. And with a price tag of under euro 10,000, it’s still great value for money.
9 TVR Grantura
The Grantura marks the humble beginnings of the popular 90s and 00s TVRs. Its production ran from 1958 to 1967, and from the start, it was meant to be a unique cocktail of the highlighting features found in many European classics such as E Type Jag and Lotus Elite, the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, and Ferrari 250 MM. The TVR Grantura was eventually rendered unpopular due to the turbulent history and occasional poor production management. When it comes to production quality, well, it wasn’t always a priority. The original Grantura only produced 79 horsepower, and the early MK1s had the itsy bitsy1.1- and 1.2-liter Coventry Climax engines, later upgraded to the attested BMC ones found in the MGA and MGB.
Despite making every single bump in the road very evident, the Grantura offers great performance, considering it's a lightweight sports car meant for the streets. Grantura is the definition of a rare car. By paying homage to many European classics in both design and engineering, it's love at first sight for most European car lovers and is slowly but surely reclaiming its place in the classic car market.
8 SAAB 900 Turbo
Over the years, SAAB had developed a bad reputation for being costly, unreliable, expensive to maintain, issues that have been debunked but were among the causes of SAAB’s bankruptcy. The truth is that the SAAB 900 Turbo is slowly on its way to attaining "classic car" status. Its price has been rising for a good few years now, but it's still an affordable bargain that likely won't blow up in value overnight.
First-generation 900s were on the run from 1978 to 1993. These models were based on the Saab 99 chassis. However, the second generation (produced from 1994 to 1998) was based on General Motors’ GM2900 platform. During this time, over 900,000 cars were built, with over one-fourth of those being Turbo. And this turbo engine, once modified, can go over 200 horsepower.
7 Triumph TR6
This little gem has a charming effect on anyone with love for European cars. True, when it came out, there was nothing extraordinary about its low horsepower and out-of-date ergonomics. And yes, essentially, it’s a blend of TR4, TR5, and TR250 in a tux and is always overshadowed by them.
But Triumph TR6 is a very sensible investment today. Powered by a 150-hp 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine, its torque is no joke. On the road, she is reliable, rides sweeter than caramel, and offers a powerful performance, which according to Winding Road's drive review, feels speedier than is expected.
6 Renault Fuego
Over the six years of its production (from 1980 to 1986), Renault made over 260,000 units of the front-wheel-drive Fuego. The Renault Fuego borrows its platform and most of its mechanical parts from the Renault 18, meaning you can easily swap its spare parts with other Renault vehicles. Available in 6 motor options, the Fuego was also one of the first of its kind to offer turbo Diesel engines.
Having to compete with Mitsubishi's Cordia and Toyota’s Celica led to the Fuego lurking in their shadows. Today they are rare to see but not necessarily in-demand. One reason being their reputation for rust, which was a common problem to all the cars in that era. But the main reason you don't see many collectors owning one is that the Fuego has yet to be considered a classic.
5 Fiat X1/9
A car that seems doomed to a lasting position in the margins of the classic car scene, Fiat X1/9 is a highly overlooked mini-Ferrari. Bertone developed it in the latter half of the 1960s for Fiat, and they debuted it in 1972. With its unique boat-inspired shape, it was meant to infuse that showroom spirit into Fiat's lineup. They also gave it the same mid-engine layout found in such cars as the Ferrari 308 GT4 and Lancia Stratos.
This layout, coupled with its weak 1.3-liter inline-four engine's severe overheating problems, resulted in frequent breakdowns and X1/9's reputation for unreliability. Coming from an Italian brand, it also has a reputation for rusting in the wet northern climes. Regardless, Fiat X1/9 was THE inexpensive, small two-seater sports car for many years.
4 Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia featured a powerful engine packed into a nifty and lightweight chassis. The model's original production run was from 1962 to 1977, and during its run, it came with plenty of engine variations such as a single carbureted 1.3-liter straight-four to a twin carb 1.6-liter dual overhead cam, the Giulia TI, Super, Nuova Super, and even the Diesel; all of which sold pretty well.
It's worth noting that you can find some Alfa Romeo Giulias with the optional five-speed gearbox, which shifts very well. It's hard to decide what led to Giulia being mysteriously forgotten compared to the other Alfas of its time, but the car is renowned for its vigorous handling and excellent acceleration.
3 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Volkswagen Golf GTI may not have been the first-ever hot hatch (although that’s a common VW myth), but it was the one that started it all. It never ended up as popular as the other cars of its type, especially among younger buyers, but there is this quiet understanding that the Volkswagen Golf GTI is the best within its field.
The initial model operated with a 108 brake horsepower 1.6-liter engine equipped with mechanical fuel injection. Soon after launch, it gained a reputation for a tight grip and responsive handling owed to its lowered chassis design. If you are looking for a family car that handles and performs like a sports car without breaking the bank, the Golf GTI is it.
2 Porsche 996 Carrera (Gen 1)
-Carrera-by-CANNIK-Via-Flickr.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Porsche 996, the Porsche is unfairly overshadowed by its variants and long-debunked criticism regarding IMS concerns. But that only means you could be the newt owner of a car from a line of classics at a relatively cheap rate. The first water-cooled 911 also came with a new suspension and chassis, which meant improved handling.
The Carrera featured a 3.4 liter NA horizontally opposed-six engine that generated 296 horsepower and 258lb-ft of torque. But If Carrera itself isn't your cup of tea, with over six available variants, there is a 996 for everyone.
1 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
It’s hard to say any Ferrari is overlooked, but if one is, Breton’s only road-approved design for Ferrari might just be it. During its production run from 1973 to 1980, only 2,826 units were made, and the ones produced until the end of 1976 carry the “Dino” badge. The 308 marks many firsts for Ferrari. Firstly, it was a mid-engined 2+2 3.0-liter, quad-cam, all-aluminum alloy V8, but unlike all the V8s before, this one was meant for the road.
Many blame its then outlandish design for the lack of popularity. The trapezoid wedge makes it stand out, but it also gives it that clean and crisp feeling. You know, the same one you get from the sharp and responsive steering and the gurgle of the V8. But if you still have doubts, remember that Elvis himself had one in his car collection. If you're considering a 308, this would be the time to get one as its price has been going up recently.