EV revolution creating 'instant classics'

As interest and demand for electric vehicles (EVs) grows at an ever-increasing rate, owners of V8-, V10- and V12-powered cars of any age could be sitting on a potential gold mine.

That’s the latest word from Chrome Temple Investments (CTi), which says the advent and implementation of “stricter emission regulations, safety and design standards is ushering in an era of the instant classic for vehicles that are in essence the last, or one of very few, of their type”.

Nominated examples of these vehicles include the original Dodge Viper, described by CTi as the last “raw” sports car offered without any meaningful driver aids, and the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta – the last Ferrari to be fitted with a Pininfarina badge.

Examples of both these models reportedly sold in record time recently, while auction houses in the US are citing annual value increases of up to 65 per cent on ‘analogue’ supercars like the Lexus LFA and Ferrari F50.

“Just as property, wine and artwork appreciates over time, so do vehicles that mark a milestone in the history of the automobile,” CTi founder Lex Pedersen said.

“These vehicles speak to the emotional side of collectors and could be the last of their type, a limited run or highly collectable because of their pristine condition and rarity – more recently they represent the pinnacle of the internal combustion engine, or vehicles that just cannot be had any longer as they have ceased production due to mandated emissions legislation.

“These vehicles have all the hallmarks of a classic or modern classic vehicle, but in some cases, appreciate in price before they even reach the customer because people know they won't be produced like this again.”

An example of one of these ‘instant classics’ mentioned by CTi was the 2022 Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae LP780-4; the flagship and final pure internal combustion V12-powered Lamborghini, of which just 350 (coupe) examples are being made.

“CTi predicts that this vehicle will skip ‘used’, becoming instantly ‘collectible’ owing both to its scarcity and historical significance as the last of the Aventador line,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Makes, models and styles of vehicles that are no longer produced have been surging and ticking up in value for years, especially locally-developed and produced icons like the Holden Monaro, V8 Holden Commodores and Utes, and high-performance Ford Falcons.

A pristine Yellow Glo 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III set a new price record for an Australian-made production car in September 2021, going under the hammer for $1.3 million plus auction fees.

And just last month a 1968 Holden HK GTS Monaro 327 Bathurst Coupe sold at auction for $330,000.

Back in a modern context, prices of used Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series utes have soared in recent months as waiting lists for new examples extend up to 12 months and fans scramble to secure themselves what will likely be the last traditional V8 LandCruiser.