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For many, the term “classic car” conjures images of celebrated vintage models, such as the iconic Aston Martin DB5, the breathtaking Jaguar E-Type, and coveted mid-century Ferraris. However, less traditionally glamorous vehicles like the Peugeot 309, Renault Espace MPV, and Seat Ibiza are also reaching classic status this year.
These perhaps unexpected automobiles are attaining this designation as the earliest versions sold in the UK reach their 40th anniversary, having initially debuted on roads in 1985.
Achieving this ‘milestone birthday’ automatically grants these vehicles ‘historic vehicle‘ status. This classification brings key benefits for owners, including exemption from annual vehicle tax, mandatory MOT tests, and charges in low emission zones in urban centers like London’s ULEZ.
But does reaching historic vehicle status definitively make a car a true classic? We examine ten models first introduced to the British market in 1985 to assess their collectability and desirability.
1. Alfa Romeo 75 (1985-1992)
The Italian marque presented the 75, named to commemorate Alfa Romeo’s 75th anniversary, as the successor to the Giulietta.
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This model was the company’s final rear-wheel-drive saloon until the Giulia arrived in showrooms in 2016 and the last Alfa Romeo launched before Fiat acquired the brand from the Italian government in 1986.
Inheriting features from predecessors like the Alfetta, Alfa Six, and Giulietta, the 75 incorporated a transaxle – uniting the transmission and differential for improved weight distribution and space efficiency – achieving a near-perfect 50:50 weight balance. While models equipped with Alfa’s revered V6 engine are highly prized, the 2.0-litre Twin Spark variants are arguably more engaging to drive.
The 75 also featured distinctive quirks, notably its U-shaped handbrake and unconventional switchgear placement in the roof console.
The 75 undoubtedly falls into the collectable category. However, a significant challenge lies in finding a well-maintained example that has not suffered neglect or damage. For dedicated car collectors, locating a pristine V6 model could command around £16,000, according to insurer Hagerty.
2. Bentley Turbo R (1985-1997)
The Turbo R emerged during a period when Bentley sought to establish its distinct identity within Rolls-Royce ownership, a partnership that lasted until 1998.
It initially debuted in 1982 as the Mulsanne Turbo, featuring a 6.8-litre V8 engine enhanced with a Garrett turbocharger, boosting power output by 50 percent to 300bhp.
A 1985 update marked the launch of the Turbo R designation. The introduction of fuel injection increased power by a further 30bhp, while chassis enhancements, including firmer suspension, transformed this powerful luxury vehicle into a surprisingly dynamic car for drivers.
While undeniably a collectable classic today, the Turbo R offers remarkable value. Despite its quality and performance, prices remain relatively accessible, with even low-mileage, museum-quality examples costing no more than £25,000 currently, Hagerty reports.
However, the initial savings may be offset by considerable fuel expenses, as the Turbo R delivers a consumption of approximately 14mpg.
3. BMW (E28) M5 (1985-1988)
This model is unequivocally a certified classic.
Introduced in 1985, the E28 M5 was the inaugural M-car iteration of BMW’s 5 Series executive saloon.
Upon its UK arrival, it claimed the title of the fastest four-door vehicle available for purchase. With a top speed of 156mph, it surpassed even the most formidable performance cars of that era.
Its six-cylinder, 24-valve, 286bhp engine was derived from the M1 supercar. This endowed the family saloon with greater power than Ferrari’s contemporary 328 model.
The E28 M5 established a benchmark for the M5 lineage, with subsequent models tracing their heritage back to this original.
Today, original M5s command prices ranging from £17,000 to £72,000, contingent on condition.
4. Ford Escort RS Turbo (1985-1990)
Ford’s Escort RS Turbo originated in the ‘homologation’ era, a period when automakers produced limited runs of high-performance road cars to enable modified versions for competitive racing.
Mechanically, the RS Turbo retained the desirable attributes of the XR3i and RS1600i models from which it evolved.
The incorporation of a Garrett T3 turbocharger enhanced the 1.6-litre engine’s output to 132bhp – albeit with the typical turbo lag characteristic of the 1980s – and a claimed maximum speed of 125mph.
Styling revisions included distinctive seven-spoke RS alloy wheels and a more aggressive body kit with aerodynamic enhancements, transforming the Escort into a quintessential ‘boy racer’ car.
The Series 1 production run lasted only a year before the Series 2 was introduced.
Ford initially intended to produce 5,000 RS Turbos – the minimum volume required for homologation under Group A racing regulations. However, due to heightened demand, a total of 8,604 were manufactured. The vast majority were finished in Diamond White.
Fast Fords from this period are now highly sought after, and the Escort RS Turbo Series 1 is undeniably a collector’s item.
Classic car valuations for this model have been somewhat complicated by the record-breaking price achieved by the most famous example of the 8,604 produced: the unique black S1 version delivered to Princess Diana, which fetched an astounding £650,000 at auction in August 2022.
5. Peugeot 309 (1985-1993)
Despite bearing a French Peugeot badge, the 309 was conceived in the UK. Its design originated at the company’s Whitley studio, now Jaguar Land Rover’s headquarters and engineering center.
Initially envisioned as a Talbot model, shortly before its launch, parent company Peugeot opted to rebrand it under its own name.
It utilized a lengthened version of the platform underpinning the acclaimed 205. While left-hand-drive versions were manufactured in France, right-hand-drive models for the UK market were assembled at the Ryton plant near Coventry.
The first 309 for the British market completed production in October 1985, although sales officially commenced at the start of 1986.
A performance-oriented GTi variant arrived in 1987, employing the same 128bhp 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine as the 205 hot hatch. Although it never received the same level of acclaim as its smaller sibling, some enthusiasts considered it the superior all-around vehicle.
A Peugeot 309 UK owner’s club page on Facebook boasts over 2,200 members, indicating a dedicated community of enthusiasts. However, it might be premature to definitively label this model a collectable classic.
6. Porsche 944 Turbo (1985-1990)
The 944 was among Porsche’s best-selling models throughout the 1980s.
Featuring pop-up headlights, a distinctive design diverging from the flagship 911, and a more accessible price point, it was seen as an ideal entry into Porsche ownership.
Initially launched in 1982, and drawing inspiration from a successful Le Mans prototype, the 944 was the third Porsche to adopt a transaxle configuration, with a front-mounted engine and rear-axle transmission using the same five-speed gearbox as the 911.
In January 1985, the Turbo variant was unveiled, reaching the UK market in November of the same year.
It featured a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine coupled with a turbocharger borrowed from the 911 Turbo.
This configuration delivered 220bhp, with the Turbo S version upgraded to 250bhp. Both also incorporated Brembo brakes sourced from the 911 production line.
For years, values for these cars remained subdued, but a resurgence of nostalgic interest has driven market prices upward. Expect to invest around £31,000 to acquire an example of this now highly collectable eighties Porsche.
7. Renault Espace (1985-1991)
Widely regarded as the originator of the MPV segment, Renault’s Espace was nearly a decade in development before its UK debut in 1985.
Originally conceived in the 1970s by British designer Fergus Pollock, then employed by Chrysler UK at their Whitley design center in Coventry (also the birthplace of the Peugeot 309).
This multi-purpose vehicle incorporated a fiberglass body mounted on a galvanized steel spaceframe. The engine – initially petrol, later diesel options followed – was positioned as far forward as possible to maximize cabin space, resulting in a notably nose-heavy weight distribution.
It offered exceptional versatility with adaptable and removable seats. The front seats could rotate 180 degrees, and uniquely for its time, the five rear seats could be individually removed, allowing owners to customize the cabin for passenger or luggage capacity as needed.
Large, box-shaped windows flooded the interior with light, enhancing the sense of spaciousness, and it was marketed as the ideal vehicle for larger families.
Initial sales were slow; in its first month, reportedly only nine units were sold. However, it ultimately established itself as the definitive MPV, with six generations produced in total.
Is it a collectable model? Probably not. Is the Mk1 version rare? Undeniably.
8. Saab 9000 (1985-1998)
The 9000 emerged from a collaborative venture between Saab, Fiat, and Lancia to develop three related models. However, the partnership yielded disparate outcomes for the participating brands.
While Fiat’s Croma and Lancia’s Thema experienced limited success, the 9000 achieved considerable popularity, remaining in production for over a decade.
It debuted in the UK in 1985 as a five-door turbocharged 2.0-litre executive hatchback. A non-turbocharged 2.0-litre 136bhp variant followed a year later, with saloon models appearing in 1988.
Throughout its production run until 1998, the 9000 underwent several enhancements.
In the early 1990s, chassis upgrades, including improved suspension, and the standardization of anti-lock brakes enhanced the safety features of this Swedish family car. A flagship Carlsson variant was introduced, featuring a 220bhp 2.3-litre engine, although it was succeeded by the Aero model with subtly revised styling in 1993.
Eventually, it was replaced by the 9-5 before the turn of the millennium.
Likely not a collectable classic.
9. Seat Ibiza (1985-1993)
Following its acquisition by the VW Group from Fiat in 1982, Spanish automaker Seat launched the first-generation Ibiza approximately three years later.
This small car was aesthetically appealing, styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro.
It arrived in the UK in 1985 in a three-door configuration, offering a choice of 1.2 or 1.5-litre petrol engines. More practical five-door versions became available the following year.
While offering reasonable interior space, it lagged behind contemporary rivals in terms of cabin design and comfort, resulting in modest sales figures.
However, it established a foundation for subsequent Ibiza generations, with Seat’s supermini becoming a popular choice in the UK since the early 2000s.
Is it a definitive classic? To put it plainly, collectors are not currently engaging in heated bidding competitions for them at auctions.
10. Toyota MR2 (1985-1989)
The MR2’s emergence in 1984 surprised the automotive world. Its UK launch a year later marked the beginning of Toyota’s successful lineage of sports cars.
At the time, no Japanese manufacturer had previously attempted to market a compact, mid-engined sports car, particularly one accessible to a broader market.
It went on sale in 1985, featuring a 1.6-litre 16-valve engine shared with the Corolla GT, providing ample power for the lightweight sports car. Boasting a top speed of 124mph and acceleration from 0 to 60mph in just 8.2 seconds, the naturally-aspirated MR2 outperformed the majority of its competitors in performance.
A supercharged variant was launched in Japan but was not officially sold in Europe, although numerous examples were imported. Later models in the UK were also offered with the T-bar roof from the supercharged version, featuring removable panels.
The MR2 was honored as Japan’s Car of the Year for 1984-85 and paved the way for two subsequent generations until its production ceased in 2007.
The value of Mk1 MR2s has been appreciating in recent years, bucking general trends in the classic car market.