Forever Young

The market for vintage car re-creations is hot, and it’s about to get even hotter

- Rory Jurnecka and Jonathon Klein

How much would you guess the automotive smorgasbord pictured here is worth—$20 million? $30 million? Point is, for the average Automobile reader—as savvy, good-looking, and of distinguished taste as you are—many of these dream machines are sadly well out of reach, financially speaking. Even with several hesitations and corrections over the past several decades, the classic car market is stronger than ever, pricing many would-be collectors out of cars they’ve spent a lifetime aspiring to own. Or has it? 

There is an alternative to vintage cars with stratospheric prices: vintage cars built in 2016. Most are extremely authentic to their original designs, and almost all have been modified subtly in the name of comfort, performance, or both. You can drive these cars capably and reliably on today’s highways, back roads, and racetracks without the worry that comes with piloting a finicky original. For many, they’re a welcome departure from sports cars that have grown in size, weight, and tech gizmos. Built for purists, they’re designed for driving with both hands firmly on the steering wheel and with a heightened sense of awareness. For these reasons and more, they’ve proven immensely popular, with most finding new homes as soon as they are built.