Most desirable/valuable cars of 1984
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There were plenty of great cars launched in 1984, and most if not all will have an enthusiast following. They would certainly all be welcome here at the Classic Motor Show, but there’s no escaping the fact that some are just a bit more desirable than others. And more expensive, too.
So here are the ones that have caught our eye, and we begin with one of the most famous names in motoring - Ferrari. The car maker from Maranello attracts fans like few other marques, and forty years ago the 288 GTO was one of the stars of the Geneva Motor Show, wowing the crowds with its blend of muscular looks and high performance.
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Styled by Pininfarina, it was built for Group B motorsport but a change in regulations meant it never competed but it made for a phenomenal road car. Bulging bodywork was constructed from composite materials and its twin-turbocharged V8 meant it could hit 190mph. The price for the best of them today? Budget around £3million!
Another dramatic Ferrari made its debut at the Paris Auto Show, this time the Testarossa that boasted a sonorous V12 engine and bodywork that featured distinctive side strakes. Oh yes, and it would play a starring role in American cop drama, Miami Vice. If that only adds to its appeal then you can expect to pay in the region of £200,000 for the finest examples.
Prefer something less racy and a bit more luxurious? Then the Bentley Continental should fit the bill, the hand-built four-seater convertible delivering all of the style and opulence you could want. Powered by a smooth V8 engine, the cars were constructed by Mulliner Park Ward in London before production transferred to Crewe in 1991. As for price, the very best are heading for £80,000.
Our last pick is from the world of Group B rallying and it comes in the shape of the Ford RS200. At its heart was a turbocharged engine and complex four-wheel drive system, but despite the promising specification it’s best finish was third place on the 1986 Rally of Sweden. Group B was outlawed later that year.
The fast Ford is hard to value, but at last year’s Classic Motor Show a 1986 Evolution model with just 12 miles on the clock was sold by Iconic Auctioneers for a healthy £486,000. That’s big money, but it bought something very special.