Way back in (March) 1954 — 69 years ago — Ernest Hemmings mailed out the very first copies of Hemmings Motor News. “This is the first issue of a little monthly magazine that I hope will be of real interest to the person interested in older models,” he wrote in the opening paragraph of his brand-new, four-page publication.
Those older models? Ford Model Ts, many of which were about 40 years of age — the equivalent of a car built in 1983 today. Or Model A’s, of course. The oldest of which would’ve been a mere 25 years old in 1953 — the same age as a 1998 model-year automobile in 2023. The fact is, if your definition of a collector car is limited to anything older than the 1970s, ’60s, ’50s, ’40s, etc. etc., it might be time to reconsider that position. Generations of younger enthusiasts are turning to the vehicles of their youths as the “older models” that they want to enjoy again. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s are spurring new interest and new growth in the hobby — something which we applaud and encourage. For this month’s focus on modern classics, we’ve rounded up a list of vehicles from the 1980s and newer that interest us and we’ve gauged their collectability and value. Will these all be hot future collectibles? We don’t know, but they’re noteworthy in their own ways and might help spur someone’s imagination. We think Mr. Hemmings would’ve approved.
1983-’88 MERCEDES-BENZ 190E 2.3-16
Price new: $34,800 (1986)
Average value today: $23,700
Collectability:
When Mercedes-Benz wanted to go racing with its new 190 compact sedan, it turned to the wizards at Cosworth to develop a competition engine from its OHC four. The result was a 16-valve, 185-hp screamer that could rev to 7,000 rpm and survive more than 31,000 miles of wide-open-throttle running on a test track. Aside from distinctive aerodynamic aids, the rest of the “baby” Benz remained relatively unchanged — including the five-link independent rear suspension, the four-wheel disc brakes, and the uncompromising build
