Hot hatchbacks of the 80s, 90s, and noughties have become a hot commodity. Recent sales highlight the significant increase in value for this type of vehicle.
Some stunning examples of these vehicles sold for eye-watering sums in recent weeks and months, with enthusiasts bidding over £70,000 for performance variants of family hatches from previous eras.
Five examples are featured here that sold for staggering amounts in virtual auctions.
Hot hatches continue to be a hot commodity. These motors were sold by Collecting Cars for huge sums over the past year, as hot hatches of previous eras continue to rise in demand
The hot hatchback is very popular, as evidenced by recent sales.
They are the smallest of all performance cars and combine practical family car features with driving dynamics and speed.
Many of these items are extremely collectible and sell for huge sums.
The success of an online auction business that specializes in collectible motors, has contributed to some of the growth.
Collecting Cars is one such company. This is Money has details on five hot-hatch models that were purchased via their website in recent times for staggering amounts.
The site was created in conjunction with similar sites like The Market and Car and Classic to allow collectors greater access to existing and future classic engines.
According to experts, however, the availability of desirable motors is increasing, but so has their value.
Hagerty is a specialist in classic car insurance, tracking values and auto insurance. It recently conducted an extensive research on online auctions that showed evidence of higher prices.
John Mayhead (editor of the Price Guide) said that the team noticed a rise in value of about 8% when they looked at data from Bring A-Trailer, the largest platform which tracks the USA.
These five examples of hot hatches sold at a significant premium to their normal values, which could explain why they have been so popular.
1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2
This item was sold for: £84,000 in September 2021
Record auction fee: £106,275 in 2019
Hagerty Price Guide Average Value (Oct 21). £47,225
This Renault 5 Turbo was sold by Collecting Cars a couple of months ago for £84,000, which is well over the average value
This Collecting Cars September sale of a highly original, low-mileage version attracted a lot of attention. One was sold at the record-breaking price in 2019, in the USA.
Collecting Cars took this unique example of the 1980s Renault 5 Turbo 2 hot car to the virtual block in September.
With a mere 27,194km (almost 16,900 miles) on the clock, it is a cherished example of the iconic road-going Group B rally machine from the generation.
With the turbocharged Turbocharged 1.4-litre motor mounted just behind the front seats, it’s as loud for drivers as it is for passengers.
The factory Stage 2 tune produces approximately 185 horsepower, and the rear wheels are driven by a manual five-speed transmission.
In superb condition with recent MOT and fitted with various mod-cons like electric windows and a heated rear screen, this second-generation Renault 5 Turbo ‘2’ is a rewarding driver’s car and has bags of Gallic character.
The most ever paid for one was in the US in 2019 when a bidder forked out $136,000 (around £106,275 at the time) for a low-mileage example offered at a Bring-A-Trailer event. That same car was also sold by the same auction house in 2017 for $135,000 – at the time equivalent to £107,481 based on the exchange rate in March that year.
1987 Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth
This item was sold for: £70,000 in July 2020
Auction record: £122,400 in 2017
Hagerty Price Guide Average Value (Oct 21). £49,850
This era’s fast Fords are very expensive. The Sierra RS500 Cosworth, a Fast Ford from the 1950s is one of the most sought-after examples. Collectors pay six-figure amounts for top-quality examples.
This 1987 example sold by Collecting Cars last year has 23,122 miles on the clock and changed hands for £70,000
Fast Fords with the Cosworth moniker from previous eras are big money across the board these says, with the Sierra RS500 Cosworth – once a ‘blue collar’ performance hero – now a bona fide collectible asset.
The RS500 was created to assist Ford in its continued success in European Group A racing. It is an evolution of the Sierra RS Cosworth.
It was a success. The racing version, which is the RS500, won the 1988 DTM championship and the 1989 Spa 24 Hours.
Collecting Cars sold this 1987 version with just 23,122 miles from new for £70,000 just over a year ago.
That’s impressive, though some examples in recent years have bust the six-figure mark, with one in sold for £122,400 back in 2017. Yet Hagerty says average values are just under £50,000 for this particular motor.
1994 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II
This item was sold for: £77,000 in June 2021
Record-breaking auction price: £218,250 in 2021
Hagerty Price Guide Average Value (Oct 21). £64,500
The Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II, which was undoubtedly the most homologated special car on the market, is the best thing that you can buy for a World Rally Championship vehicle.
This 1994 example was sold by Collecting Cars in June for £77,000. That’s some way off the record of £218,250, paid at a Silverstone Auctions event also this year
One of the homologation greats is Lancia’s Delta Integralee II. This was the last Lancia rally car for the road, which would serve as the base for the competition model that dominated the World Rally Championship until the end.
This limited-edition Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II version is not to be mistaken with the standard versions. Collectors and marque lovers are avid fans.
This ‘Bleu Lagos’ car is one of just 215 worldwide and, when sold this summer, represented a rare opportunity to acquire a coveted modern classic that’s almost guaranteed to go up in value in the future.
The turbocharged 2.0-litre 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine is under the bonnet. It has four-wheel drive and a manual five-speed transmission.
Even with 81,320km on the clock and – like all examples – left-hand-drive (though registered as a UK car in 2013), it sold for a whopping £77,000.
A 1995 ‘Edizione Finale’ example with a mere 3,355 miles on the clock was sold by Silverstone Auctions in May this year for a world record £218,250.
2005 Renault Clio V6 Phase II
This item was sold for: £73,000 in October 2021
Record-breaking auction price: £73,000 in 2021
Hagerty Price Guide Average Value (Oct 21). £13,875
This Renault Clio V6 Phase II is the most expensive version to ever sell at auction, with Collecting Cars selling it for £73,000 just last month
Only 18 cars in Liquid Yellow will be officially delivered to the UK.
Unusual modern-classic hot hatch broke records last month.
The 2005 Renault Clio V6 was bought on Collecting Cars for a winning bid of £73,000 – some £60,000 more than what Hagerty says is the average value for one of these cars and the most anyone has forked out on any Clio V6 variant.
And this one is something on an astonishing example in true ‘timewarp’ condition.
This example is only 980 miles away from brand new.
This car is one of 18 that was delivered in Liquid Yellow to the UK, which makes it an extremely rare and valuable modern classic.
Phase II models have a longer track and a wider wheelbase than their predecessors. The 255hp V6 engine that powers the Phase II model’s rear wheels is mounted behind the driver.
Any collector car buyer is often advised to get the best possible example. The Clio V6 is a great example.
1990 Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9
This item was sold for: £18,000 in August 2021
Record-breaking auction price: £42,394 in 2018
Hagerty Price Guide Average Value (Oct 21). £28,025
Collecting Cars sold this Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 in August for a record-breaking price, but it shows just how valuable these cars have become.
The most expensive versions are those that have extremely low mileage and ultra-exclusive models. Thought this standard model with 63k on the clock still hit £18,000
This example of the Peugeot 205 GTI was the most desirable hot hatch in history. However, it sold at a fraction of the Hagerty Price Guide average value. That shows just how collectible this supermini is.
The August version that Collecting Cars sold is very original. However, the engine has been recommissioned and it has covered more than 63,000 miles. Although this is not an average amount of mileage for an automobile, it has been sold with less-used versions in recent years.
It was in great condition for its age and usage.
Cosmetic changes made during restoration included powder coating, stripping and painting the front sub frame and suspension assemblies. Also, the underbody was stripped and painted. This included repairs to the boot floor.
The bonnet houses a fully restored 1.9-litre Inline-four that produces up to 126.2 hp. It drives the front wheels using a manual five-speed transmission.
Even though the average value is so high, this model will continue to be a great investment.
Artcurial sold a record-breaking 205 GTI 1.91 for an April 2018 auction. It was an exclusive edition of the Griffe version. Just 20 units were built.