Incredible, but soon these cars will also bear OT-number plates
Not long ago, they stood in the corners of gravel-filled car lots, and today only a few remain.
Here are 5 models on the cusp of classic car status.
Thirty years? Indeed! These automobiles were introduced three decades ago, and their first examples if well-preserved or restored can soon be considered for veteran car certification, even if it is difficult to imagine them among hunchbacked Wartburgs or classic Mercedes with standing headlamps. We selected models to cover as many categories as possible, representing the major car manufacturing nations of the time (German, English, Italian, French, and Japanese). Thus, you can learn or recall what many coveted in 1994, and which were the realistically attainable new arrivals.
1. ALFA GTV/SPIDER (916)
With a strikingly wedge-shaped body and rich in unique details, the Alfa Romeo made a comeback into its lineup in 1994 with either coupe (GTV) or convertible (Spider) body styles. Yet, despite a more direct steering design, multilink rear suspension, and a twin-spark cylinder head, many enthusiasts were disappointed with the front-wheel-drive novelty built on the Fiat Tipo platform. The situation was considerably better if customers chose the eye-catching and sonorous, powerfully robust Busso V6 engine over the four-cylinder variant. Overall, the decade-long production did not yield the success that was hoped for.
2. JAGUAR XJ (X300)
Without a doubt, of all the cars listed, the XJ will become a classic the soonest, not only due to its relative rarity (with a total production of 92,000) but also because of its design. Technically built on the predecessor XJ40, its graceful double round headlamps and modest chrome-trimmed bodywork can be considered a reinterpretation of the earlier series. With its naturally aspirated and supercharged inline-six, as well as V12 engines (the latter was part of the luxurious Daimler Double Six flagship model), the character of the British car industry during the Ford era echoes, which was only slightly diminished by the V8 engines in the X308 model update.
3. PEUGEOT 806 AND ITS SIBLINGS
The mid-sized MPVs are nearly extinct today, but thirty years ago, they were the dreams of families with their airy and adaptable interiors. Envying the success of the Renault Espace, the PSA group teamed up with the Fiat consortium to develop and manufacture the Eurovan family - a 4.46 meter long model with dual sliding doors and five or seven seats. The family members Citroen Evasion, Fiat Ulysse, Peugeot 806, and the more elegant and better-equipped Lancia Zeta mainly differed from each other in headlight and front grille design, with fundamentally common petrol and turbo diesel engines.
4. TOYOTA RAV4
Perhaps of all the models listed so far, the RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle 4-Wheel-Drive) has had the greatest impact on recent trends. It was essentially the first compact SUV;
moving away from chassis-based, solid axle off-roaders, it offered car-like comfort and driving characteristics.
It was available in three and five-door versions, as well as convertible, powered by a two-liter petrol engine with 129 horsepower, and became a huge success worldwide. Few people know that a 1575 unit mini-series electric version was also made.
5. VW POLO III.
Although overshadowed by the Fiat Punto for the '95 Car of the Year title, the 6N factory-coded Polo, which replaced its predecessor after 13 years, was a versatile and pleasant small car. For the first time, it offered a five-door variant, as well as later a saloon (Classic) and estate (Variant); the wide motor range included natural-aspirated and later turbo diesel engines. It was reminiscent of the compact class in terms of equipment, featuring electric windows, air conditioning, ABS, and two airbags, though most of these options were extra-cost in Hungary, the basic no-frills models were more common. It also had a Spanish relative, the boldly styled Seat Ibiza.
CLASSIC CAR STATUS IS NOT EQUIVALENT TO CERTIFICATION
Between 20 and 30 years, a significant portion of cars wear out, and indeed only a fraction live the esteemed life of "youngtimers". Those that are mechanically and aesthetically in excellent condition upon reaching the qualifying age can get an OT (Old Timer) number plate, which is a value-enhancing factor and entitles the owner to benefits (such as technical inspection every 5 years). We will introduce another 5 models that are "coming of age" this year, which naturally only means reaching classic car age the certification will initially be the privilege of a few cars.
Thirty years? Indeed! These automobiles were introduced three decades ago, and their first examples if well-preserved or restored can soon be considered for veteran car certification, even if it is difficult to imagine them among hunchbacked Wartburgs or classic Mercedes with standing headlamps. We selected models to cover as many categories as possible, representing the major car manufacturing nations of the time (German, English, Italian, French, and Japanese). Thus, you can learn or recall what many coveted in 1994, and which were the realistically attainable new arrivals.
1. ALFA GTV/SPIDER (916)
With a strikingly wedge-shaped body and rich in unique details, the Alfa Romeo made a comeback into its lineup in 1994 with either coupe (GTV) or convertible (Spider) body styles. Yet, despite a more direct steering design, multilink rear suspension, and a twin-spark cylinder head, many enthusiasts were disappointed with the front-wheel-drive novelty built on the Fiat Tipo platform. The situation was considerably better if customers chose the eye-catching and sonorous, powerfully robust Busso V6 engine over the four-cylinder variant. Overall, the decade-long production did not yield the success that was hoped for.
2. JAGUAR XJ (X300)
Without a doubt, of all the cars listed, the XJ will become a classic the soonest, not only due to its relative rarity (with a total production of 92,000) but also because of its design. Technically built on the predecessor XJ40, its graceful double round headlamps and modest chrome-trimmed bodywork can be considered a reinterpretation of the earlier series. With its naturally aspirated and supercharged inline-six, as well as V12 engines (the latter was part of the luxurious Daimler Double Six flagship model), the character of the British car industry during the Ford era echoes, which was only slightly diminished by the V8 engines in the X308 model update.
3. PEUGEOT 806 AND ITS SIBLINGS
The mid-sized MPVs are nearly extinct today, but thirty years ago, they were the dreams of families with their airy and adaptable interiors. Envying the success of the Renault Espace, the PSA group teamed up with the Fiat consortium to develop and manufacture the Eurovan family - a 4.46 meter long model with dual sliding doors and five or seven seats. The family members Citroen Evasion, Fiat Ulysse, Peugeot 806, and the more elegant and better-equipped Lancia Zeta mainly differed from each other in headlight and front grille design, with fundamentally common petrol and turbo diesel engines.
4. TOYOTA RAV4
Perhaps of all the models listed so far, the RAV4 (Recreational Active Vehicle 4-Wheel-Drive) has had the greatest impact on recent trends. It was essentially the first compact SUV;
moving away from chassis-based, solid axle off-roaders, it offered car-like comfort and driving characteristics.
It was available in three and five-door versions, as well as convertible, powered by a two-liter petrol engine with 129 horsepower, and became a huge success worldwide. Few people know that a 1575 unit mini-series electric version was also made.
5. VW POLO III.
Although overshadowed by the Fiat Punto for the '95 Car of the Year title, the 6N factory-coded Polo, which replaced its predecessor after 13 years, was a versatile and pleasant small car. For the first time, it offered a five-door variant, as well as later a saloon (Classic) and estate (Variant); the wide motor range included natural-aspirated and later turbo diesel engines. It was reminiscent of the compact class in terms of equipment, featuring electric windows, air conditioning, ABS, and two airbags, though most of these options were extra-cost in Hungary, the basic no-frills models were more common. It also had a Spanish relative, the boldly styled Seat Ibiza.
CLASSIC CAR STATUS IS NOT EQUIVALENT TO CERTIFICATION
Between 20 and 30 years, a significant portion of cars wear out, and indeed only a fraction live the esteemed life of "youngtimers". Those that are mechanically and aesthetically in excellent condition upon reaching the qualifying age can get an OT (Old Timer) number plate, which is a value-enhancing factor and entitles the owner to benefits (such as technical inspection every 5 years). We will introduce another 5 models that are "coming of age" this year, which naturally only means reaching classic car age the certification will initially be the privilege of a few cars.
