What Is the Best Starter Classic?
The best classic car for a first-time owner is a question for the ages, but don’t take my word for it: This very website wrote about this very topic all the way back in 2015. While some (many?) of those choices still hold water—especially that C4 Corvette—there’s no doubt that we needed to revisit this topic with the Hagerty Community. So for next week’s installment of According to You, please give us your thoughts on what is the best “starter classic,” in your informed opinion.
While the main image above was my first choice for a starter classic, perhaps the VW Beetle is a bit too old-hat for many readers. Bugs aren’t nearly as cheap as they once were, and maybe air-cooled performance isn’t ideal for many modern roads in North America? If so, here’s my second suggestion:
I can see the look of disgust in your faces. But the first two generations (1991–2001) of the Ford Explorer and its derivatives from Mercury and Mazda (yes, really) are disturbingly easy to acquire in the 2020s for dirt-cheap prices.
Millions were produced, and their analog designs and Detroit origins mean that parts are plentiful. They are easier to repair than most newer vehicles. And since they wear the ever-popular SUV body style, you can enjoy owning one of the first examples of the breed. I once saw a younger person attend a car show with his grandmother’s 1994 Explorer and a steady stream of gawkers walked by, peppering him with questions in the process. These things absolutely have legs.
The Explorer lets you own a starter classic with a fine mix of antique car crudeness (remember when SUVs had leaf springs?) and modern car practicality. Unlike other starter classics, its practicality makes it a great second, third, or fourth vehicle for a North American family. And now that the Firestone tire debacle is well in our rearview mirrors, an Explorer is a pretty compelling value proposition.
So I ask once more, members of the Hagerty Community, for your thoughts: What is the best starter classic?
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” I once saw a younger person attend a car show with his grandmother’s 1994 Explorer and a steady stream of gawkers walked by, peppering him with questions in the process.”
I can only see this happening if every other car at the show was a baby blue Plymouth Acclaim……
That doesn’t change the reality of the situation. 🙂
The title plainly asks “starter” and “classic”.
To me, it means a vehicle that may need work, and “starter” implies simplicity.
“Classic” is a more ephemeral term (and that Explorer ain’t one.)
If I were directly asked that title question, I’d immediately reply with “1950’s and ’60’s; American.”
Nearly anything in that category is already classic AND simple to work on.
So that’s my 1/50th of a dollar.
First gen Mustang…
Toyota Previa! ap41563 has told us that it’s one of the most popular silhouette vehicles around, and I’m betting the prices are really reasonable for those starting out! 😜
Actually they really aren’t! You could get a clean squarebody Ford/Chevy truck for the price of a clean Previa…and the squarebodies are easier to find parts for. Don’t pay the JDM tax unless you really want it. 🙂
Wow, now I’m really Jonesing for a Previa – but – who says I want a clean one?
Many of the cars that I have owned over the years are now considered “classics.” 1970 Nova (new), 1969 MGB GT (used), 1971 TR6 (used), 1960s IH Scout (used), early 1960s Holden Station Sedan (right-hand drive 2-door station wagon), 1965 Morris Minor (right-hand drive), 1972 Torino GT (new), 1975 Grand Am (new), none of which I still have, unfortunately. From, then on I owned vehicles that could best be described as just cars or trucks. My most recent classic was a 1971 Camaro Z/28 RS (probably was in Hagerty #2 condition) . Sold that to help finance kids’ college expenses (sigh). Eclectic collection, eh?
Though the list represents a wide range of pricing (depending upon condition of course), I would recommend any of those (except the Z/28) as a starter classic.
Greetings,
Volvo 122 series hands down! I am thinking of youth, or young adults, and a good starter classic that is durable, financially accessible, easy to work on, enough manufactured to have a good parts supply but still rare enough to seem unique, and a safe and fun car to drive!
The Volvo 122 can be restored, modified to rally specifications, or built as a daily driver. When built to rally specifications, the Volvo cars were a worthy match for many of the other cars of their era. The Volvo 122 is far easier to work on with better parts availability and less expensive to acquire and maintain than many of the vehicles mentioned earlier.
And, if a Volvo 122 is too old, consider the Volvo 140 series for many of the same reasons. If you still consider a Volvo 122 or 140 series too old – go for the Mazda Miata which again is durable, easy to work on, has great parts availability, fun and reasonably safe, and a good platform for personal modifications.
The list:
• Volvo 122
• Volvo 140 series
• Mazda Miata
Drive On!
JH
If you can find one, get a 97 to 02 Regal GS. Supercharged, 240 HP sleeper with the bulletproof 3.8 V6. I did a quick search and found one in pristine condition, 64k miles, asking price $6,995.
If you want something a bit different look at a Corvair. They’re still relatively inexpensive to own and restore. There are Corvairs for every taste. There are cars of all kinds plus trucks if you like. They’re still competitive in vintage racing as well as great cruisers. Parts are fairly easy to source and they’re not too complicated for a beginner. There are tons of info about them as well.
Mercedes-Benz 280SL! Reliable, respected, readily available support, and almost always the same value when you’re selling as when you’re buying!
I will take a slightly different tack with this question. First, the key words here are “first” and “classic.” In that context, I suggest a first classic should be something designed for the person who is actually entering our world but has little to no experience with either cars or mechanical work in general. My suggestion is then a bit off the wall: I recommend a Model A Ford, for the following reasons.
They are plentiful; Henry literally made millions and a satisfying number are still out there. They are dirt simple. Model As are a wonderful basis for a person to really learn the fundamentals of how cars work. A copy of Martin Stockel’s book on automotive fundamentals and repair (first or second edition is recommended) is an excellent basic handbook for the newbie. A Model A specific book will be invaluable as well. The whole industry that we depend on for maintaining and restoring our classics today was founded on the maintenance, repair and restoration of Henry’s early cars. There is an enormous support for Model A parts and services. The cars themselves are not outrageously expensive, unlike more modern vehicles. Check out a current Hemmings listing for the Model A. Many are available from professionally restored trophy winners down to the bring a trailer category. I suggest the new person look for a car that has been previously restored, several years ago, and preferably a home shop amateur job. These are amazingly cheap when compared against most other candidates. It will be something that can be repaired fairly easily, is not too expensive, and with simple tools can be repaired or rebuilt easily. By seeking out a previously home brewed restoration, the newbie will get something useful, will be inclined to use it around town and will usually be close to home if some “unscheduled” maintenance is needed. The qualities of simplicity found in the Model A will provide the new person everything needed to learn automotive fundamentals and enjoy a first classic without breaking the bank. Finally, when it is time to sell there will be a ready market for the history and entertainment the Model A represents.
Congratulations are in order as this is the best answer to the question as stated in the title of the article. I agree completely. Well done Jim !!!
Volvo 240, especially a later model. Not sexy or quick, but younger people appreciate the cool factor of the quirkiness. Ford Model A for those like me who don’t care when they get there.
It was Miata and first gen Honda INsight very few years ago and they have aready taken off and are super interesting. As Jay Leno said, nobody is ever going to restore a Ford Taurus and sadly most of the cars built in the last 50 years are in that group.
I believe the most important factor should be that it can be a labor of love. So the make/model would probably be something you “always wanted.” Maybe the car your neighbor had, or the car you learned to drive in. Just because it’s easy doesn’t mean it’s lovable. Of course, that’s a different car for everybody. But I suspect that everyone here has a handful of cars that fit in that category. Pick one of those, based on its simplicity, cost, and parts availability.
Fiat 124 Spider. Why?
– Pinninfarina body by Tom Tjaarda
– DOHC engine by Aurelio Lampredi
– Simple convertible top
– 5 speed manual transmission
– Large support community
– Nice ones around $10k
Try and find those specs on a car without a Prancing Horse on the hood.
R107SL, mid 80s 380SL OR late 80s 560SL
Made for nearly 20 years. Little to no rush issues, plentiful parts, the dawn of ABS and driver airbags, solid build quality, manual top, so no exotic suspensions or other stuff that followed. Massive and active community, enough performance to make you smile but not enough to spook anyone. Everyone loves them, and you can live out your Hart to Hart / Axel Foley / Dynasty fantasy