Dave and Lextremers...
I think you're on a winner here with the LS, as once a car gets too that sort of age, most people turn their noses up at it, as they fall lemming like into the nearest showroom to buy another brand new box (that looks a bit like the last 'but hey the interiors got different colour trim piping!!'). This self appointed trendy elite deride you for being 'cheap' and untrendy.
But I strongly think the LS is on the verge of being a cool retro brick. Indeed those words have been randomly used by others in this thread.
It makes me laugh that just 10 years ago, 'old' cars then were laughable embarresments driven by 'boy racers' (UK slang for young tossers - possible future DUB-ers? :la
, now they are rare and now extremely dam cool.
I'm 36 so 19 years ago when I was learning to drive, the Mark 1 Escort was seriously uncool. It had previously been a mass produced family car, and also a capable rally and circuit winner in the 1970's. Cue late 80's Britain and anyone driving a beaten up Mark 1 Escort was quite literally a wanker.
However... last year I saw a young lad driving past my house in a very tidy boy'd up Mark1 and **** me did he look dam cool. Today Mark 1's are rare as rocking horse **** and easily fetch GBP5k++++ for a good 2 door Mexico.
And that's just one example. A mate bought an old box shaped brown 70's Merc, mid spec but immaculate. Complete with new funky beard and lairy shirts he looked a million dollars in it and it was a hoot to go cruising off in.
Examples are endless. A leading designer here was recently on TV praising the lines of old 70's entry level Datsuns (I had a 100A in my yoof and loved it) for being cool and retro and that he and his children had turned their backs on mass produced modern designs and got a few 120Y's (I think) in.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the self appointed trendy always buy new, but the really trendy and trend setters make their own decisions.
Another recent TV programme here takes old cars for a few quid, does home DIY style repairs and sells the cars on. It's a show on how to make money on cars. They bought an LS for GBP1300 and sold it for about GBP3k having spent loads on it and only made GBP300 profit. As a show hosted by a used car trader it's all about money, however he really seemed to enjoy the LS and clearly stated it wasn't about making money on this one as he just wanted it right and back on the road.
If there is an X factor that can make a car a classic I think the LS has it. It is the first major model for an entire brand as as such stands credibly on this merrit alone. Add to the fact it is a bloody fine car with quirky looks actually adds to the potential.
Ask yourself a question, how many other 80's cars (exotica aside) can you truley say will be classics??? Nothing from the US, the odd German Uber Wagen maybe, The Ford Cosworth, perhaps the MX5, Golf Gti (though the path was laid at the very end of the 70's), and did the Skyline make it with rebirth at the end of the 80's?
As LS's values and image are so low they I believe they are at the cusp of a potential big move upwards in desireability, trendy alternative motoring and value. Or is it fit for the bin?
Discuss!
Mark
