European classic cars have long remained a desirable and collectible segment and can count dozens of iconic designs among their ranks. The trouble is that many of the most well-loved models now command prices well above their MSRP, especially if they're low mileage. That means many collectors have been priced out of the market on these models in recent years.

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But, wannabe Euro classic owners shouldn't despair just yet. There's still plenty of cheap and brilliant classic models out there to satisfy every type of collector's taste. Some of them might require importing from Europe, or opting for a model that's less famous but much better priced. Of course, the best way to bag a bargain is to buy a car in need of restoration, then build it back up to its former glory piece by piece. These cars are all perfect for restoration, cheap to buy and they've all got buckets of Euro cool to boot.

10 BMW 8 Series

BMW 8 Series
Via: wsupercars.com

BMW relaunched the 8 Series at the end of the last decade, and it's a great car. The first generation of the model was sold through the '90s, and not only does it look good, but it's also relatively affordable too.

BMW 8 Series
Via Pinterest

Many cheaper examples on sale will be higher mileage, so a fair amount of work might be required to get the car running smooth. But, top-spec 8s have a 5.7L V12 engine and provide some of the best sports-luxury driving dynamics of their era. If anything, it's a mystery that they haven't exploded in price yet like some of their peers have.

9 VW Beetle

VW Beetle
Via Engine Swap Depot

A truly iconic machine, the Beetle or Bug can be found all over the world, as it's cheap to buy and easy to run. There's plenty left on the market in the US too, so it'll be one of the easier classics to source.

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VW Beetle
Via Reddit

The cheapest models are obviously going to need some work, but if anything that just serves to give owners more choice. They can restore the car exactly as it was when it first left the factory, or resto-mod it with modern components and tech features. Either way, it's difficult to go wrong with an old Beetle.

8 Volvo 142

Volvo 142S
Via Petrolicious

Really this entry could be any old Volvo, but the 142 is a particularly good example. They're cheap, boxy, and fast becoming a bit of a cult favorite. Some convert their cars into surf wagons, some into crazy-horsepower sleepers, but many just opt to leave their Volvos as is.

Volvo 142S
Via Petrolicious

Depending on condition and mileage, Volvos are also some of the cheapest classics to purchase, although for cool factor it's worth splashing out a little more on a rarer model if possible. Thanks to the brand's bulletproof reliability, the car shouldn't need too much maintenance to keep it running either.

7 Peugeot 205

The front of a red 205 GTI
favcars.com

Given that Peugeot hasn't had a presence in the US market for decades, the easiest way to obtain a 205 is going to be to import one from continental Europe. That shouldn't be too difficult a task, as they sold in their hundreds of thousands, so old ones are still easy to find.

The rear of a black 205 GTI
favcars.com

Why a 205? Well, they're small, light, and in the right spec, they're fun to drive too. They won several major accolades throughout their production run, including being named CAR Magazine's Car Of The Decade in 1990. That's quite a feat for an economy supermini. The best obtainable variant of the 205 is the GTI, which will set buyers back a few thousand extra but can still be found relatively cheaply.

6 Fiat 124 Spider

Fiat 124 Spider
Via Classic Cars 4 Sale

Some drivers prefer the open-to-the-elements feel of convertible driving, but thankfully there's plenty of classic Euro convertibles to choose from. An Italian icon, the Fiat 124 Spider is certainly a strong candidate, although getting one cheap will mean buying one in bad condition.

Fiat 124 Spider
Via Wikimedia Commons

The good news is that they hold their value very well once they're restored. It's also a great-looking little car, perfect for those sunny days where a fixed roof just won't cut it. It is a Fiat, so it'll probably break down a lot, but hey, that's the cost of buying old Italian metal.

5 Ford Escort

Ford Escort
Via Belfast Media

Ford's range of Euro-centric cars has some real gems in the lineup, and the Escort is one of them. Designed in the UK, the car ran from 1967 to 2002, so there's a lot of styles and variants available. That means buyers can pick a model that suits their tastes and budget best.

Ford Escort
Via Car and Classic

Older models are widely considered to be better looking and more collectible, but that's reflected in the prices for used examples. The second generation is probably the sweet spot right now between retro style and affordable pricing, and there's plenty of examples ready to restore.

4 VW Caddy Pickup

VW Caddy
Via Pinterest

It's hardly the continent most famous for pickup trucks, but Europe has made a few hits along the way. The Caddy is a great example, combining the best of old-school VW looks and a surprisingly practical bed.

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VW Caddy
Via Car-From-UK

It's a compact truck that's perfect for the odd small job, but mostly just to cruise about in. Resto-modders also love the truck, with one owner even putting a huge V8 under the hood to create a tire-shredding monster. While that's a bit extreme for most owners, it's still a pretty cool sight to see.

3 BMW E30 3 Series

BMW E30 3 Series
Via YouTube / Nick Murray

As much as many car fans love to drool over the E30 M3, prices for them are so high nowadays that only the richest collectors will ever be able to buy them. One way around that is to buy a lower-spec example, which won't be as powerful but still rides on the same famed chassis.

BMW E30 3 Series
Via BMWBlog

A bit of resto-modding could transform a sluggish old E30 into an M3-rivaling machine anyway, but most owners will be quite content to just work on making their classic Bimmer look factory fresh. M3 or not, they're still some of the best-looking cars the Bavarian brand has ever produced.

2 Alfa Romeo 2000 QV

Alfa Romeo 2000 QV
Via Car and Classic

Alfa has made some seriously tasty cars over the years, but too often get dismissed as the butt of a joke about reliability. The 2000 QV is hardly going to change anyone's perceptions on the reliability front, but everything else about the car is well worth buying.

Alfa Romeo 2000 QV
Via Car and Classic

It's a classic Italian convertible with retro looks and a temptingly cheap price tag. It won't be the fastest car by any means, but it's designed for leisurely cruising, and that it excels at. Alfas are generally still a rare sight on US roads, so the 2000 QV should draw some attention as well, especially if it's been perfectly restored.

1 Austin Mini

Austin Mini
Via classicdriver.com

It's quite possibly the most famous British car ever, having been on sale in various forms since 1959. The new Mini built under the guidance of BMW lost some of its original magic, but before that, it was still sold in almost the exact same spec as it had been decades ago.

Austin Mini
Via classicdriver.com

Mini has been through several ownership changes, but cars produced under the Austin brand provide a great mix of classic looks and cheap prices. If that's not an option, then later model Rover Minis will also fit the bill too. It's getting harder to find examples that haven't been restored already, but buying a partially-finished example still gives buyers the freedom to add their own final touches to their new car's restoration.

NEXT: 10 Underrated European Classics That Look Stunning When Restored