My apologies if this has been discussed before, I haven't really read this forum but I thought this could be interesting. What fairly modern cars do you think will be looked at as classics in 30 or 40 years? Off the top of my head, muscle cars like the Viper or ZO6 will probably always be revered, along with Supra's, RX-7's, 300zx to name a few.

 

Search for a large thread we had here... I believe it was called "Which Lexus will become the first classic?". Most seem to agree that SC300/400 will be the first classic.

Other than Lexus, I think cars that are fairly new and already classics are: Supra, NSX, Integra Type R, S2000, and to a lesser degree Acura Legend coupe.

 

Oh, not this Acura Legend business again.

Ford Contour all the way while we're at it.

 

I think some pre-Chris Bangle/I-Drive BMWs will be considered classics, especially the 3 and 5-series. They represent perhaps the epitome of the affordable, pure Drivers' sedans and coupes, without all the complexities of the later Chris Bangle models.

Other classics in 30 years will be the Mazda Miata, especially if it has gone out of production, second-generation Toyota MR2 turbos, and, believe it or not, the Lincoln Town Car as the last big, RWD, V8, full-frame American luxury car.....symbol of a long-lost era.

One major question that may arise in 30 years is if there will be any GASOLINE left, especially affordable gas, to run these cars, or if the auto industry, by then, will have converted to other fuels.

 

Subaru SVX!!!

 

If only they weren't all 4 speed automatics.

 

As for Modern classics I would throw in these cars: Acura NSX 91' and 97' as big years for them. If you have a Zanardi than that is even better. They are great looking cars with limited production and unique design. Toyota Supra is close but not quite there. It lacks that exotic appeal I think. A Porsche 911 TT or GT2 or GT3 would be up there. Tough to call on that one. I really consider the NSX as a classic. Just my two cents as I love that car. It isn't a great drag racer but it is a great design. I will get one as my next car I think.

 

lol, it'll never be a classic, but more a cult car.

XJ220, 911 GT1, 959, Skyline GT-R LM, CLK-GTR, E31, etc...maybe?

 

I'll just mention the practical premium brands...

Acura: NSX (though I prefer the original early 1990s Honda version...)
Audi: original TT, R8
BMW: Z3 roadster and coupe, 8 series, E39 M5
Cadillac: current CTS, XLR
Infiniti: None
Jaguar: XF
Lexus: original LS400, SC300/SC400, maybe the IS-F
Lincoln: None
Mercedes: original SLK, original CLK, CLS

 

I agree with all but the TT and the CTS. I think first production runs of popular cars will always be sought after in 30-40 years. I think the NSX is by far a big one, and the supra. One car that is almost never mention is the BMW Z8! That is a collectors car even now, 7 years since the end of production. (Although BMW is talking of bringing the model back).

 

The original Audi TT had everything that would make it a future classic: massive appeal, "cool" design, large fun-to-drive factor and it was an instant sales success. Trust me, this car belongs on the list.

The current CTS is returning Cadillac to its former glory in my opinion. It's not perfect, but it is a very solid car that's a superb effort from GM and deserves to be recognized.

I didn't mention the Z8 but you're right about it.


Honestly, I'm not crazy about the Toyota Supra. As far as I know its "myth" comes from street racing and not track performance. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

1) It has a truly timeless design. It could literally be released with the same exact design right now, and look as modern as any other car.

2) It had 330hp stock, with a twin turbo engine what was virtually bullet proof and capable of producing up to 700hp without upgrading internals.

3) Compared to everything else of that era, it was just sick, and somewhat affordable. In straight lane it would hand the NSX a new rectum, for half the price. And it exposed how truly pathetic domestic pushrod V8's were.

 

I believe the factors that make a car a future classic are: scarcity, innovative styling and breakthrough engineering. Not mentioning specific cars, I will say this: Cars that have been heavily modified, debadged, rebadged or have had significant OEM equipment removed will never be that desirable or collectable in the future. Collectors, like I used to be one of, go to great lengths to have these cars look exactly as they did out of the showroom, down to the brand of spark plugs.

As mentioned in a past thread, my old 1951 Pontiac Chieftain was not really that collectable to most, but because it was restored in 100% stock form, I was asked to use it in a film that took place circa 1951 (Guilty by Suspicion).