No classic car is a reliable promise of profit. If you’re considering one as an investment, start with a specific budget and market, then weigh condition, upkeep, resale demand and enjoyment—not just a model’s reputation. Hagerty’s 2026 US Bull Market List and Hagerty UK’s 2026 selections offer candidates to research, not predictions that their prices will rise.
Are classic cars a good investment?
They can appreciate, but a rising guide value does not mean an owner will make money. Purchase price, maintenance, storage, insurance, transport, selling fees and applicable taxes all reduce any proceeds. Hagerty, a specialist insurer and market-data publisher, cautions that “No vintage car purchase is a 100% sure bet when it comes to increasing its value.”
The market is uneven. In its 2025 review of the UK Hagerty Price Guide, Hagerty UK said nearly 80% of tracked values had fallen or stayed static. Its Hot Hatch and RADwood indices were the only ones showing meaningful growth relative to December 2024. Those figures describe that guide and market—not every classic car or country.
Buy for the car you want to own and drive; treat appreciation as uncertain upside. Hagerty UK describes its 2026 choices as cars offering a combination of value for money and driveability, not cars certain to soar. That is a more useful standard than assuming a collector-car shortlist is an investment forecast.
#1 Best Overall
- V8 POWER: The model features a 400 cubic inch V8 engine, reflecting the muscle and power that defined the GTO's reputation.
- DETAILED SUSPENSION & EXHAUST: The kit incorporates separate rear suspension and exhaust detailing, adding to the realism of the model.
- BUCKET SEATS & CONSOLE: The model's interior features bucket seats and a floor shifter with a console, capturing the iconic look and feel of the GTO.
- OPTIONAL SUPERCHARGER: For those seeking more power, the kit offers an optional supercharger, allowing you to customize your model.
- CLEAR & COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS: The included instructions are clear and user-friendly, making the kit accessible to modelers of different skill levels, from beginners to experienced hobbyists.
10 classic cars to research
The first list below draws from Hagerty’s 2026 US Bull Market List. The second draws from Hagerty UK’s 2026 selections. They are separate markets, not a cross-country ranking: the values are not directly comparable, and availability, import costs and resale demand depend on where you live. US values are Hagerty condition #2 references; UK values and five-year changes are figures from Hagerty UK’s guide as reported January 11, 2026. Neither source guarantees a future sale price.
US candidates: Hagerty’s 2026 Bull Market List
Hagerty selected these 11 vehicles. To make a 10-car shortlist, this article leaves out the Continental Mark II: the selections are not ranked, and excluding one is an editorial choice, not a judgment that it is a worse investment. Hagerty’s condition #2 reference values range from under $10,000 to over $1 million across the full list; actual examples vary with condition and specification.
Rank #2
- Versatile 3-in-1 Kit: Build your 1963 Chevy Corvette Sting Ray as factory stock, a street custom, or a drag gasser with this multi-option kit.
- Enhanced Features: Includes pre-lettered drag slicks, clear red taillights, and stock & custom wheels for an authentic and detailed build.
- Multiple Engine Options: Customize your model with various engine intake options, allowing for unique and personalized creations.
- Retro Styling: Comes with a full-color, retro-styled decal sheet and vintage “Street Rods Series” packaging, perfect for nostalgic collectors.
- High-Quality Collectible: AMT's improved reissue offers superior parts and detailing, making it a must-have for model enthusiasts and collectors.
| Model | Years | Hagerty US condition #2 value |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | 2006–2013 | $55,900 |
| BMW M5 | 2006–2010 | $36,000 |
| Porsche Carrera GT | 2004–2007 | $1,550,000 |
| Mazda MX-5 Miata | 1999–2005 | $16,600 |
| Nissan Skyline GT-R | 1995–1998 | $82,350 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI VR6 | 1995–1998 | $20,000 |
| Chevrolet 454 SS | 1990–1993 | $59,800 |
| Dodge Ramcharger | 1981–1993 | $25,300 |
| Alfa Romeo GTV | 1969–1972 | $105,000 |
| Dodge Charger | 1968–1970 | $91,450 |
Hagerty says its list methodology draws on public and private sales, historic trends, insurance valuations and buyer and seller behavior. That makes the list a source of candidates to investigate, not independent proof that any model will outperform other investments.
UK candidates: Hagerty UK’s 2026 selections
These examples show why a classic-car shortlist should not be read as a list of guaranteed winners. The five-year change is a guide-price comparison, not an owner’s investment return; it does not include purchase costs, upkeep or selling expenses.
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Rank #3
- 2-in-1 format with stock and drag racing parts
- Pre-lettered M&H Racemaster vinyl drag slicks
- Pre-lettered M&H Racemaster vinyl drag slicks
- Full color decal sheet
- Vintage illustrated packaging
| Model | Hagerty UK value | Five-year guide-price change |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari F430 Spider | £95,400 | +19% |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk II 8V | £15,300 | −1.9% |
| MG MGA 1600 Coupe | £25,700 | −10.7% |
| Toyota Supra A80 | £40,000 | +41.8% |
| Riley Nine Imp | £60,100 | −20% |
| Ford Transit Mk 1 2-litre petrol | £17,200 | +6.2% |
| Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 2 3.4 coupe | £17,800 | −2.2% |
| Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 200 Kompressor | £5,200 | 0% |
| Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 Veloce | £21,200 | −8.6% |
Hagerty UK reported that the Supra A80’s values peaked in mid-2023 and were relatively flat afterward, despite its positive five-year guide-price change. Its 2025 review also said Jaguar values in the UK guide fell 21.4% on average in the year to December 2025; a large guide change for the XKSS influenced that figure, so it should not be generalized to every Jaguar. The SLK R171 had the highest sell-through rate among the UK list: 95% of its 2025 auction listings sold. Sell-through is a liquidity signal, not evidence of appreciation.
What makes a classic car more likely to hold value?
No badge or model name can tell you what a particular car is worth. Condition, originality, documentation, specification and maintenance history can separate two examples of the same model. Hagerty emphasizes careful condition grading; its condition #2 values are reference points, not quotes for every car.
Rank #4
- Revell Model Kit #14531, Skill Level 5, Contains 77-Parts, Recommended for ages 13 and up
- Detailed 440+6 V-8 engine, hood scoop that can be positioned open or closed
- Detailed interior with separate side panels and a front bench seat
- Molded in white and clear with chrome plated parts and black vinyl tires
- Illustrated assembly instructions. Requires paint and glue. (not included)
- Condition and provenance: Inspect the actual car and verify its history, originality and supporting records. A celebrated model with poor documentation or deferred work may be a worse purchase than a less fashionable, well-kept example.
- Demand and rarity: Consider whether buyers want the specific body style, engine, trim or year—not merely the model family. Rarity alone does not ensure a ready market.
- Recent model-specific evidence: Look beyond a broad classic-car index. Compare recent transactions for the same model and specification, and distinguish asking prices from completed sales.
- Practical ownership: Parts support, mechanical complexity, ease of use, storage and insurance affect both the cost of keeping a car and the pool of potential buyers.
- Liquidity and location: A car that sells readily through one channel may be harder to sell elsewhere. Geography can affect available examples, import costs and the market for a particular specification.
How to estimate the real cost and potential return
Use more than one valuation signal. Hagerty says its valuation tools combine auction results, asking prices, private sales and insurance data. Compare those estimates with recent, relevant transactions, then inspect the specific car. A guide value is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection or a realistic selling estimate.
Before buying, write down the full ownership and exit costs. Include the purchase price, inspection, immediate repairs, routine maintenance, parts, storage, insurance, transport and likely selling or auction costs. Add taxes that apply in your jurisdiction. Estimate a plausible sale price and subtract those costs; a car whose guide value rises can still produce a net loss.
Best Value
- Revell Model Kit #14533, Skill Level 4, Contains 104-Parts, Recommended for ages 12 and up
- Iconic Shelby 427 Cobra S/C body with an opening hood and separate chrome detail parts.
- Highly detailed 427-cubic-inch V-8 engine, separate tube frame, and side-mount exhausts Moteur V-8.
- All-new decal sheet with the 427 Cobra’s signature over-the-top twin stripes and optional race markings.
- Molded in white, transparent red, and clear with chrome plated parts and soft black tires. Paint and glue required(not included).
Insurance deserves a specific quote for the car and the way you plan to use it. A classic-car policy may have eligibility terms or use restrictions, so confirm coverage, agreed-value terms and any mileage or storage requirements with the insurer before relying on an estimate.
Quick Recap
A practical buying checklist
- Set your market and budget. Decide whether you are buying in the US, UK or another country, and include import or transport costs where relevant. Do not compare dollar and pound guide values as though they were equivalent.
- Choose the exact specification. Narrow the model to year, engine, trim and body style, then check what comparable examples have actually sold for.
- Verify the car, not just the listing. Review service records, provenance and originality; arrange an inspection by a qualified specialist familiar with the model.
- Check ownership requirements. Get insurance terms and realistic maintenance and storage estimates. Research parts availability and likely repair complexity.
- Plan the exit before buying. Identify a plausible resale channel, its fees and the pool of buyers in your area. Account for taxes and selling costs in your expected net result.
- Stress-test the decision. Ask whether you would still be comfortable owning the car if its market value stayed flat or fell. If not, the purchase depends too heavily on appreciation.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
