The Classic car market in Australia and the UK are vastly different beasts, and the available models don’t always line up exactly. But we nonetheless thought it might make for an illuminating exercise to compare the forecasts of Hagerty – Britain’s best analysts – with our own, to see if we can identify some classic car gold in them thar’ hills.
When looking to confirm values for obscure vehicles or see how a particular model has progressed during the recent past, Retro Rides will often access data from global market analysts Hagerty.
Its astonishing Valuation Tools resource contains historic pricing data for thousands of vehicles, some dating back over 100 years, graphs that track price movements and even projected growth where there is sufficient information.
Hagerty, operating in both the UK and USA, uses an algorithm that monitors the prices paid for popular models and analyses their relative performance, even though they may be buffeted by different market forces in various geographic locales. This research is valuable for both buyers and sellers, along with Hagerty itself as a big player in the classic vehicle insurance market.
As 2026 dawned, Hagerty in the UK went to press with its most recent list of ‘bull market’ models, featuring vehicles from the 1930s until the early part of this Century. With indulgence from the good folk at Hagerty we have applied aspects of their concept to our Australian market, where necessary using local models in place of the UK ones that are rarely seen or were never sold here.
Additionally, since the early 1990s Retro Rides’ own valuation specialist Cliff Chambers has maintained a database that tracks the movement of around 1800 models in our market. When assessing relative improvements or deterioration in values, Cliff examined the models nominated by Hagerty and how Australian alternatives performed during 2025, along with back in 2020.
Going back to this point negated the disruptive influence of Covid-19, which not only caused many deaths and much social disruption, but it also sent the prices paid for collectible vehicles to unrealistic highs. Now that the market is back on a relatively even keel, we have a solid base for comparison and can see how our automotive investments have genuinely performed.
1970-86 Alfa Romeo Veloce 2000 Spider
- Average UK value: £21,200 (A$42,500)
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $33,500
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $45,165
Hagerty UK says the 1970s 2000 Veloce is now a great buy, with an ‘excellent’ condition price of £21,200 for a car that has no rust, a relatively decent engine and taut suspension. A usable classic with its comfortable interior, the 2000 Veloce represents the sweet spot between classic styling and practicality. Prices are unlikely to soar but at their current level they offer excellent value.
The Local View
There is no logical reason for Alfa’s gorgeous, Bertone-bodied Spider to not have cracked the $100k barrier decades ago, then kept on climbing. Early ‘round-tail’ Duetto versions have sold in this country for six figures, however later models or any that their owners might contemplate using regularly will cost half that amount. Rust has been cited as a reason not to buy a Spider, but there are enough restored and almost rust-free cars kicking about to negate that impediment.
2004-09 Ferrari F430
- Average UK value for F430 Spider: £95,400 (A$191,000)
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $265,000
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $295,595
Hagerty’s evaluation team say that compared to its 458 successor, the F430 is good value. Excellent examples with low mileage, manual gearboxes and great specification are available for around £95,000, significantly more than those with F1 gearboxes. “Extremely popular with Gen X and Millennials, the F430 is likely to be a car that will be prized in the future.”
The Local View
Ferraris built 15-20 years ago have been appreciating, but it is worth considering how much of the $5000 a year being gained by an F430 has been outlaid in maintenance and standing costs. High-end Ferraris, and here we include the gorgeous 246 GT Dino, continue to set and reset global sales records, but their performance is not being emulated by the later cars which tend to surge then retreat. One currently at the shallow end of its orbit is the 328 GTS which a few years back could not be found for under $200K but is now in the $160-180k range.
1965-77 Ford Transit Mk 1
- Average UK value for 2.0-litre petrol model: £17,200 (A$34,750)
Local substitute: 1979-96 Ford Falcon Van (six-cylinder)
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $27,000
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $23,200
The Hagerty Team said of the Transit: “Survivors are rare and there have been some recent strong asking prices that could nudge the market upwards. As ever with British-built Fords, the Transit has a very strong and passionate following of enthusiasts, good news for anyone wanting to maintain one. Hagerty feels that the Mk 1 Transit has room to increase in value.”
The Local View
Transits used to be everywhere in Australia, delivering mail and carting tradespeople’s tools, but most are now gone and those that remain will likely match the money being paid for them in Britain. As an accessible replacement we chose the high-roof XD-XG Falcon van which aren’t common but remain less expensive than local Transits. A good example of these locally-manufactured vans in 4.1-litre, six-cylinder form shouldn’t cost more than $20,000. While they do rust, plenty of places sell sheet steel and others will rent you a welder.
2004-11 Mercedes-Benz SLK R171
- Average UK value: £5,200 (A$10,800)
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $16,500
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $17,480
Hagerty UK say: “A supercharged Mercedes-Benz convertible with a retractable hard top, sporty performance (even in the entry-level 200 Kompressor model) and typically comfortable interior seems an absolute steal at the prices they are currently available for. Even the latest, low-mileage, high-spec examples of this model top out at around £10,000 and Hagerty’s ‘excellent’ value is around half this.”
The Local View
Screens brimming with R171 classifieds confirm that these Benz roadsters are plentiful and relatively cheap in Australia, but then you look at Britain with a typical SLK 200 at under A$12,000 and need to again adjust your thinking. Given our market’s preference for bigger engined cars we used SLK 280 and SLK 350 versions in the comparison but still came away with the impression that these are very underpriced cars. Providing you can wriggle into the cramped cabin there are plenty of good ones available at under $15,000 with abundant features, low kilometres and all the stamps in their service books.
1955-62 MG MGA
- Average UK value: £25,700 (A$52,250)
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $44,500
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $44,840
Hagerty UK said: “Like many British sports cars of the 1950s and 60s, values of the MG MGA have declined over the past five years, but Hagerty’s market data and Collectability Algorithm both agree it is good buy. It certainly has a lot going for it with a race-derived design, plenty of parts suppliers and specialists.”
The Local View
It must be comforting for MGA owners to know they can enjoy one of the great sports cars of its kind for five years then sell it again for virtually the same money it cost them originally. Hagerty did note in its assessment that UK values had declined, but in Australia where 22 cars were offered at retail or auction in late-2025 we detected almost no movement in average values. The same attributes that endear the MGA to British buyers also apply here; a design equally viable for track use or recreation, plenty of parts and good access to specialist repairers.
1997-2006 Porsche 911 996
- Average UK value: £17,800 (A$36,000)
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $67,000
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $57,850
Hagerty UK say: “The 996 Porsche 911 is excellent value for money compared with any other 911. We have chosen the early 3.4-litre Carrera 2, as prices start in the low-teens and even for an excellent one you would be hard-pressed to pay more than £25,000. For that, you get a car with such a pedigree that Hagerty’s Collectability Algorithm scores higher than any other car in this year’s Bull Market list, including the Ferrari.”
The Local View
Can’t say we’re on the same page as Hagerty when it comes to the price of local 3.4-litre Carreras. Prices here on early water-cooled 911s are higher than in Britain, but $50k is still cheap for a rear-engine Porsche. Buyers need to peruse the fine print when considering one of these cars, seeking confirmation that dodgy cylinder liners and intermediate shaft bearings have been replaced. With the work done and documented and distance travelled averaging under 5000km annually, top shelf versions may fetch $80-90k is possible, but most examples remain in the $50k bracket.
1934-35 Riley Nine Imp
- Average UK value: £60,100 (A$122,000)
Local substitute: 1951-55 Jaguar XK Sports
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $145,000
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $149,725
Hagerty UK say: “The Riley Nine Imp is loved by older owners, but even Gen X-ers are increasingly enjoying the fun it provides. It offers the sweet spot between a tourer that can be used at weekends or in the summer, and an out-and-out sports car for use on track. Prices are now at the level that (an Imp) that has been very well maintained by one of the very best restoration companies will probably offer great value for money.”
The Local View
They may be quantum apart in style and performance but the Jag and Riley Imp are likely to attract a similar kind of buyer. The Riley is older, more fragile and finicky, where the Jag exemplifies what British industry could build when the customer was a dunce at driving but paying in US Dollars. The Riley might take some finesse to be driven well, while the Jag is not too demanding – at least once its rotten Moss gearbox warms up – but still delivers that vintage aura in spades. Plenty of XKs survive, but often with problems which help keep a lid on values.
1993-2002 Toyota Supra A80
- Average UK value: £40,000 (A$80,500)
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $55,000
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $63,700
Hagerty UK say: “The A80 Toyota Supra offers offer good value for money compared with its two period competitors, the Honda NSX Type-R and the R33 Nissan GT-R. The ownership demographic is also very young, with 64 percent born since 1981, often a sign that cars will continue to grow in value as those owners reach peak earning potential. Its rarity and the fact that the UK variant was the most powerful made with 326bhp, means that UK cars are increasingly being sourced by international buyers.”
The Local View
The day of the $100k Supra is yet to arrive in Australia, despite the value of local cars climbing by around 20 percent since 2020. Certainly, we are yet to experience the heights of an $80k Supra average, primarily because ours are mostly the 280bhp (208kW) cars, not versions that were tuned to run in the UK on Leaded fuel and made 30kW more straight off the boat. Younger owners do remain crucial to the success of Supras and other high-performance models exiting Japan, because they know that these will for a long time remain the cheapest proper imported performance cars available.
1971-79 Vauxhall Viva HC
- Average UK value: £4300 (A$8850)
Local substitute: 1976-80 Holden Gemini
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $16,400
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $22,640
Hagerty UK say: “Compared with its flashy siblings, the Firenza and Magnum, the Vauxhall Viva is great value for money, especially as prices have dropped over the past few years. It is not a car that will make you rich, but as a usable, excellent value British classic that will make you stand out from the crowd, it is hard to beat.”
The Local View
Australia has not seen a Vauxhall Viva in about 60 years but the Brits loved them and bought more than a million, which might explain why they are now worth practically nothing today. Holden dropped the Viva-based four-cylinder Holden Torana during the 1970s and replaced it with the Japanese Isuzu Gemini. The Gemini was fun, handled well and went okay, making them good and affordable race cars in latter-life. Sadly, a lot of Geminis ended their lives on the racetrack, so surviving cars are scarce and becoming expensive.
1983-92 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2
- Average UK value: £15,300 (A$31,000)
Local substitute: 2004-08 Volkswagen Golf R32
- Average price in Australia in 2020: $22,500
- Average price in Australia in 2025: $20,165
Hagerty UK say: “Prices of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 have risen nearly 25 percent since 2020, making the Mk2 great value for money, with prices for both the 8-valve and 16-valve remaining relatively flat, despite a marked increase in the overall Hagerty Hot Hatchback Index over the past 12 months. Scoring higher on the Hagerty Collectability Algorithm than its predecessor, the Golf GTI Mk2 is incredibly popular with younger owners. Its good looks, fun, quick and nimble performance, as well as a vast network of clubs and specialists makes ownership a truly rewarding experience.”
The Local View
For all sorts of reasons, including that Volkswagen in Germany wanted to charge local distributors for compliance with local Design Rules, Australia didn’t see very many Mk1 or Mk2 Golfs. Enter the Golf R32 with 30kW more power than the stock GTI and all-wheel drive to make sure none of the V6 engine’s grunt got wasted in wheelspin. Even when pitching our 3.2-litre V6 against their wimpy 1.8-litre, Aussies end up paying $10K less for a much better car.
