Logic would dictate collectible cars are worth a lot of money and are out of reach for many people. However, that isn’t always the case. Some rare collector cars are worth very little, but their obscurity and scarceness make them very collectible.
This list will feature 13 of those collectible cars. The criteria are that they are ‘underdogs’, mundane, rare, bad vehicles with their own cult following, or fantastic cars that somehow slipped through the net.
Fiat Multipla
We have mentioned the Fiat Multipla before, but it’s a car that does have its own following and one that gets rarer and rarer as the years go on. Fiat’s idea was to create a vehicle with two rows of three seats but with exceptional space for the occupants and their luggage and belongings.
The result was an ungainly-looking MPV that did offer all the space that Fiat promised, although the styling was so controversial that Fiat revised the design in 2004. Yet paradoxically, the unusual styling added to the appeal of the Multipla, and it’s the version of the car everyone thinks about when brought up.
Audi A2
Audi’s radical A2 is another rare car that is worth little, yet like the Multipla, the concept was fantastic. Audi wanted to create a vehicle that was as efficient and lightweight as possible so they could use a lower-power, more economical engine to boost the car’s fuel economy.
The result was the A2, with an all-aluminum construction ensuring a weight of just 2,000 lbs. Under the hood was a 1.4-liter engine with just 74 hp, but that was more than enough to shift the A2, which, thanks to its lightness and engine, achieved a fuel economy figure of 50 MPG combined. Remarkably, this was more than the Toyota Prius of its time.
Volkswagen XL1
In 2024, efficiency is a much bigger deal for cars than ever before. But in 2013, Volkswagen created one of the most fuel-efficient in the world with the exceptional XL1, a two-person, limited-production vehicle with a fuel economy figure of 240 MPG and one of the best-looking designs of any modern Volkswagen.
Volkswagen produced just 250 XL1s, all of which were remarkably fuel-efficient. Under the hood was a 47 hp 800 cc mid-mounted two-cylinder diesel engine with a 25 hp electric motor. The streamlined body was exceptionally aerodynamic, and the XL1 also weighed just 1,753 lbs. Something as radical-looking as the XL1 would liven up the market, which is becoming full of dull and dreary SUVs.
Ford Puma Mk1
While it might not have reached classic status for some, the Ford Puma is reaching that status thanks to its excellent design and simply because it is fun to drive. Under the hood, the Puma has a .7-liter inline-four Zetec engine, co-developed with Yamaha, producing 123 hp.
That doesn’t sound like much power, but the Puma Mk1 weighs just 2,291 lbs, meaning it was a delight to throw into the corners. A stiffer suspension and wider track than the Ford Fiesta it is based on improved the driving feel of the Puma, and the close-ratio transmission is exceptional. The Puma Mk1 also looks great, and it is a reminder that you don’t need a lot of power to have a lot of fun.
Mercedes-Benz 190 W201
You know a car design has done a good job if, after 40 years or so, it has aged far better than some more modern designs have. The Mercedes-Benz W01, or the ‘Baby Benz,’ is one of those cars, and the Bruno Sacco design looks better and better as the years go on.
The W201 was the forerunner to the Mercedes0-Benz C-Class. Mercedes anticipated a global recession and still created a car that could lock horns with the formidable BMW 3 Series, and it did so very successfully. From 1982 to 1993, Mercedes built nearly two million 190s, and it makes a fantastic classic daily driver with truly timeless 1980s styling.
Alfa Romeo GTV-6
While there are more exotic Alfa Romeos on the market, few can match the exceptional GTV-6. The Alfa Romeo GTV-6 had some big shoes to fill, thanks to it following on from the very popular Alfetta and the much loved GTV. But thankfully for Alfa Romeo, the GTV-6 filled those shoes very well.
Despite questionable Italian reliability, the GTV-6 became one of Alfa Romeo’s best sports cars. Under the hood, a 2.5-liter V6 produced 160 hp and 157 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine uses Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, aiding in its performance and reliability. The GTV-6, despite being an Alfa Romeo, will not break the bank. According to Hagerty, you can pick up a GTV-6 for $10-15,000, which is genuinely fantastic.
Lancia Beta
The Lancia Beta is probably best remembered for what happened during the early 1980s, with a vast amount recalled due to severe rusting issues. Yet due to that, finding a Beta in great condition, without rust, is also very hard and makes ones that you do find that much more special.
The Beta model range was vast, with the first iteration the Berlina, the most common of the Betas, which was a four-door saloon. There was the Spider/Zagato, as well as the HPE shooting brake and the Montecarlo. The rust scandal ruined Lancia’s reputation and that of the Betas, which at its core was a great looking car and a fun one to drive that means it has developed a cult following over the years.
Ford Capri 2.8i Special
Ford Capris might be well known, but there are some models that have slipped through the net. The Capri 2.8i Special is one of those, and back in 1989 Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering Group had the task of developing the Capri 2.8i. This created one of the most special and coolest versions of the Capri in existence.
Many called it the Ford Mustang of Europe, and thanks to the 2.8-liter V6 engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, power in the Capri rose to 160 hp and the car had a top speed of 130 mph. The Capri 2.8i breathed new life into the Capri lineup, and the Special version included half-leather seating and a limited-slip differential. Seven spoke RS wheels and color-coded grille and headlamp surrounds helped differentiate the 2.8i from the rest of the Capri range.
MG MGB GT
For those seeking a budget-friendly but quintessentially British sports car, then look no further than the MG MGB GT. MG produced the MGB from 1965 to 1980, and early versions had gorgeous chrome bumpers and trimming that was sadly replaced by plastic on later models. Power only came from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 95 hp, but that was enough for this spritely British sports car.
Fuel economy for the 1960s was excellent, with the MGB able to achieve 25 MPG and thanks to its lightness and excellent chassis, the MGB GT was an amazing car to drive. MG produced so many MGBs that you can easily find one for as low as a few thousand dollars. According to Classic.com, the average price of an MGB is around $14,000.
Vauxhall Calibra
The Ford Capri probably occupies the list of a lot people who are looking for a cheap classic, especially in Europe. With Capri prices slowly rising as it becomes more of a classic, one alternative is the rare and unusual Vauxhall Calibra, possibly one of the best looking vehicles Vauxhall has ever produced.
The Calibra is an excellent four-seat, two-door coupe with some stunning, sleek styling and most importantly, the running costs are low as well. Under the hood are a range of inline-four engines ranging from the 2.0-liter C20NE, to the turbocharged inline-four plus the 2.5-liter V6. In its 2.0-liter eight-valve guise, the Calibra was extremely efficient with a drag coefficient as low as 0.26.
Volvo 850 T5-R / 850R
Volvo station wagons have a following all of their own, and one of the finest is the 850 T5-R and 850R. The most notable achievement for the Volvo 850 was when Volvo teamed up with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, to field the wagon in the British Touring Car Championship. The station wagon more than held its own against the sedans and coupes in the series.
Under the hood of the production version of the 850 T-5R was a 2.4-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, producing 237 hp. The 850R produced just a little less with 225 hp. Volvo produced many classics over the years, but the 850 series is surely the best.
Lotus Esprit Series 4
If you are seeking a well priced sports car, then look no further than the Series 4 Lotus Esprit. The British manufacturer produced this generation of Esprit from 1993 to 2004, and it ironed out all the problems Lotus had experienced with earlier versions of the Esprit.
The addition of anti-lock brakes and power-steering elevated the Esprit further, and it had one of the best driving experiences offered by any British sports car in history. Under the hood of the Series 4 was the brilliant 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 264 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. If you wanted more power, you could opt for the 350 hp V8 Turbo version of the Esprit Series 4.
Mitsubishi Galant (Legnum) VR-4
Having given us the Mitsubishi Evo estate, the Japanese manufacturer decided to go one step further with the Galant VR-4, one of the most aggressive and sporty station wagons on the market. Under the hood was an exceptional 2.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 300 hp.
Add in all-wheel drive and you have a great driving experience, and it is the same all-wheel-drive system that Mitsubishi developed so successfully for its World Rally Championship cars. While not the most elegant station wagon, the Galant VR-4 is aggressive, punchy and a reminder that family cars can genuinely be exciting.
