Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars

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These cars will be classic cars in 2019

Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars-mazda

The first generation of the Mazda MX-5 still had pop-up headlights

Source: Mazda

Be it a BMW Gran Turismo with a twelve-cylinder or a cleverly crafted Japan Roadster: The 1989 automotive year had some highlights. Here are six cars that are officially classic cars as of 2019 – including their market value.

M.so years are turning points in history. 1989 is definitely one of them. After all, it is the year the Berlin Wall opens and the fall of the Iron Curtain heralds the end of the Cold War. Other things are less fateful, but still striking: The first episode of the TV series "The Simpsons" is being broadcast in the USA. In Wimbledon, both Steffi Graf and Boris Becker win the finals at the most important tennis tournament in the world – a great moment in German sport.

And automotive highlights are also coming onto the market, for example the Opel Calibra. It replaces the legendary Manta B as the new sports coupe from Russelsheim – with front-wheel drive and transverse engine. The Audi 200 Quattro 20 V is one of the fastest production sedans of the time. And the Mazda MX-5 is the trigger for the convertible boom the nineties.

We are presenting six cars that will become classic cars in 2019 – including current market prices (source for all prices: Classic Data, the quotations apply to cars in condition two – "free of defects, but with slight signs of wear"):

Mercedes 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution I.

The late eighties and early nineties are the heyday of the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). Which in turn is the reason that the Mercedes 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution comes onto the market. Because in 1989 Daimler presented the DTM homologation model EVO I – a 190 on steroids. Above all, the rear spoiler is impressive (even if the spoiler of the successor EVO II will become even more blatant later), the Evolution also gets thick fender flares, lowering and level control at the front and rear to ensure enough ground clearance even when loaded.

In the case of the engine, the stroke is reduced in order to enable the higher speeds used in racing. It is true that the 195 hp of the standard 2.5-16 model remain. On request, customers can order a “power pack” with an additional 30 hp from AMG. Today the 190 E 2.5 16 Evolution I is an expensive collector’s item, the market prices are only even more bizarre for the successor model Evolution II.

Market price Mercedes 190 E 2.5 16 Evolution I: 71,000 euros

Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars-mx-5

Racing car in suit: Mercedes 190E 2.5-16V Evolution I.

Source: Daimler AG

Opel Calibra

Opel also caused a stir in 1989. With the Calibra, the Russelsheim-based company is presenting its new sports coupe – the legendary predecessor was called Manta and had been retired a year earlier.

Technically, both models have little in common: While the Manta with rear-wheel drive and longitudinal engines was still an old school Opel, the engineers of the Calibra rely on front-wheel drive and transverse engines. Just like the Opel Vectra on which the Calibra is based.

The machines, however, have it all. Even the entry-level engine, a two-liter four-cylinder with 116 hp, is sufficient for the car, which weighs only around 1.3 tons, to move forward quickly. The 2.0 16V (factory designation C20XE) and 150 PS, which is also installed in the Opel Kadett GSi 16V, is making good headway. It is considered to be one of the best four-valve engines of its time and is still extremely popular with Opel fans today.

In 1992, Opel then added the 4×4 Turbo with 204 hp – and in 1993 a V6 engine with 170 hp. Both variants manage 240 km / h, more than any non-tuned Manta. Today, Calibra fans are particularly looking for special editions such as “Keke Rosberg” or “DTM Edition”, which offer all kinds of comfort extras.

Market value Opel Calibra 2.0i 16V: 7,000 euros

Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars-mazda

The heir to the Manta and now mostly in the hands of enthusiasts: the Opel Calibra

Source: Opel

BMW 8 Series (E31)

BMWs The new luxury-class coupe is like a car from another planet, as the performance data already shows. Because initially the 8 Series is only available as an 850i – with a majestic twelve-cylinder and 300 hp.

The power is transmitted either via a six-speed manual transmission, which was innovative for the time, or a four-speed automatic. In 1992 BMW even went one step further with the 850 CSi, whose V12 even developed 380 hp and steered the rear axle to make the car look more manageable. From 1993 the coupe was also available as an 840i with a V8 engine.

The greatest weakness of the E31 is that BMW does not offer a convertible variant. Many interested parties decide in favor of the competing model from Mercedes-Benz, the SL (R129). BMW sells only about 30,000 copies of the 8 Series in ten years of construction, the manufacturer had hoped for more.

Market value of the BMW 850i: 34,800 euros

Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars-mazda

This shape has never gone out of fashion: BMW 8 Series

Source: picture-alliance / dpa / BMW

Audi 200 Quattro 20V

In 1989 Audi drivers can look forward to a spectacular engine in a large sedan. In the 200 series (type 44), the Ingolstadt-based company is introducing a new top model, the Quattro 20V. The turbo-charged five-cylinder engine with four-valve technology has an output of 220 hp and gives the car a top speed of 242 km / h.

The engine has been installed in the original Quattro for several years, with which Audi celebrated legendary racing successes in rallying. However, even the spectacular drive cannot hide the fact that the Audi 200 is nothing more than a greatly upgraded Audi 100 – just like the Audi V8 that was presented a year earlier.

The manufacturer wants to chase away Mercedes and BMW customers with both models, but this only works to a modest extent with the 200 and V8. Audi did not make the leap into the luxury class until 1994 with the A8 – which became the first Audi to become the Chancellor’s car.

Market value of the Audi 200 Quattro 20V: 28,400 euros

Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars-mazda

Sedan with a legendary engine under the hood: Audi 200 Quattro 20V

Source: Audi AG

Mercedes-Benz SL (R129)

At the Geneva Motor Show in spring 1989, Mercedes-Benz presented its new roadster, the SL from the R129 series. Although the name Roadster doesn’t really fit. Because the R129 is not a puristic sports car, but a luxury glider packed full of comfort systems – the technology comes mainly from the S-Class.

Head designer Bruno Sacco had the body lines drawn relatively soberly – the straightforward, slightly wedge-shaped look is convincing, initially customers have to wait several years for their SL. The R129’s automatic rollover bar, which opens within 0.3 seconds in the event of an impending rollover, to protect the occupants, is groundbreaking for the automotive industry.

Also standard is the electro-hydraulic fabric top, which can be opened or closed within 30 seconds using a switch. Six- and eight-cylinder engines were available, and in 1992 the series was expanded to include the first twelve-cylinder SL in the SL, the 600 SL with 394 hp. But an early 300 SL with only 190 hp can also be a pleasure, although the sportiness is limited here. Because the R129 is not a light foot with at least 1.7 tons empty weight.

Market value of the Mercedes-Benz 500 SL: 18,800 euros

Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars-mx-5

Luxurious glider and still often seen on the road: Mercedes SL R129

Source: picture alliance / dpa-tmn / Daimler

Mazda MX-5

Build a roadster? We can too, thinks Mazda in 1989 and introduces the MX-5. With little equipment, but only one tonne curb weight, the small two-seater convinces with the essentials: driving pleasure. The designers used the classic roadsters of the sixties, Triumph Spitfire and Alfa Romeo as models Spider, MG MGB – the new one even looks suspiciously like the Lotus Elan.

Initially there was only a 1.6-liter engine with two camshafts and 115 hp, later Mazda added a 1.8-liter variant with 131 hp. But – the MX-5 is light, so the 1.6 is enough for a sprint from zero to a hundred in 8.8 seconds and a considerable top speed of 195 km / h. There is also a five-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, a low seating position and a crisp, tight chassis.

Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars-mercedes

The reincarnation of the roadster principle became the most successful roadster of all time

Source: Mazda

However, if you want an MX-5 in Europe in 1989, you have to fall back on gray imports from the USA, in this country the model will only come onto the market a year later. Which means that anyone who wants to drive their roadster with a vintage license plate as early as 2019 has to find one of these rare early imports.

Market value Mazda MX-5 1.6: 7000 euros

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12 thoughts on “Mercedes 190 EVO to Mazda MX-5: These cars are 2019 classic cars”

  3. And I’m looking forward to May 19! My Porsche 944 S2 will be a classic car! Finally! After exactly 16 years in my possession. 2003 bought on a whim for 5.500, – € current appraisal 30.000, -;)

    Reply

  6. Only if they have the H mark. And nothing is safe from politics. If classic car registrations continue to rise, their environmental zone status is also in danger.

    Reply

  7. All beautiful cars. However, the procurement of spare parts for an Audi 200 quattro is catastrophically poor or not available at all. With the 8 series BMW, connoisseurs look for an 840i with the V8 cylinder instead of the 12 cylinder. The main problem here is the electronics with the many networked control units. The MX5 and the SL 129 series from Mercedes can therefore be used without any problems, especially because of the excellent availability of spare parts.

    Reply

  8. Unfortunately, the SL also has its problems. Firstly, the timing chain and its guide rails should be changed no later than 180,000 km. In addition, the sheathing of the electrical cables crumbles because a new material was used that destroys itself when it ages. Thank goodness there are specialists who, for example, rebuild the engine wiring harness with better cables!
    Otherwise, an R 129 is a great car!

    Reply

  11. Of course, the BMW Z1 is missing: presented at the IAA in 1987, it was fully developed in just two years and was then sold from 1989.

    Reply

  12. The Z1 is likely to be unaffordable. There is no point in introducing cars that no normal person could pay for.

    Reply

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