Small and cute

Suddenly small and cute has become valuable. In the last few years the rare Jolly or Cooper S have sold for strong money. This trend is also affecting the Fiat 600 and Mini sales. I am watching a Zagato Double-bubble restoration and it could be valued over $100K when finished and we are discussing whether to take it to a big west coast auction. I did not predict this but suggest it is time to pick up that perfect Morris Minor, Midget, or Fiat 850 coupe while the prices are still low. A friend just sent me an add for a decent restorable Autobianchi project and I said to snap it up. If nothing else, these diminutive models deserve some extra attention.

Cheers Ron

Almost anything "Zagato" commands a premium.

I love small cars, but I am not sure of the mass market appeal. The best of anything will always command a premium, but I am not sure that makes a regular 850 coupe that valuable.

I sold my Fiat 600 about 7 or 8 years ago, and bought it around 1990 freshly restored for $800. I really, really wish I had kept it a bit longer. I never saw this coming. Fiat Multiplas are also a bit pricey now, and could have been almost given to you several years back they were so worthless price-wise. I passed on a mint Gogomobile for less than 1k about 10 years ago too.

Oh, and I almost forgot, in the late '90's a mint 2CV van for $2k!

One of my dream cars though have always been Abarths, and they are slowing slipping out of my reach, very sad.

In reply to KaptKaos: True that Zagato and Abarth command high dollars but I would advise a buyer with a choice between an ordinary nice Chevy II and a similar Fiat 850 to go with the Fiat as the better investment. Small and cute seems to sell well these days.

Cheers Ron

rconlon wrote: I am watching a Zagato Double-bubble restoration and it could be valued over $100K when finished and we are discussing whether to take it to a big west coast auction.

You'll definitely want to look for Andy Reid's story in the upcoming issue of Classic Motorsports; he wrote a really nice feature about the hows and whys of going to a big-time auction.

Back on topic:

I'm really glad to see values rising on the smaller classics; hopefully it will lead to more of them surviving. I honestly think the "green" fad/movement will help; many of these small cars are genuinely efficient!

In reply to rconlon:

Ron,

I regret selling my Fiat 850 spider almost weekly, so I know from which you speak.

However, growing up in Jersey I don't think I ever saw an 850 anything until I moved to California. Lots of 124s and 128s, but no 850s. So my experience with them was limited. I believe that my experience is not unique, and I think that reduces the buyers pool and limits upside.

Plus, in the case of 850s, there were a bazillion of them in Italy. When the values rise, so will export/imports. Much like original Minis, thereby diluting market value.

I've always said, buy (and drive) what you like. Speculators suck.

I'm really glad to see values rising on the smaller classics; hopefully it will lead to more of them surviving. I honestly think the "green" fad/movement will help; many of these small cars are genuinely efficient!

My Fiat 600 routinely got in the 50's, and I think the best tank I ever had was about 60mpg. Of course the metal was so thin you could deform it with your hand, not sure many people today would want to get hit by a yo boy Escalade with one. I loved driving it though. It really was a nice drive, and pretty sporty as well. You didn't need to be in a hurry though!

Invest in Honda S800s now before they catch on!

This will put to the test with this Autobianchi project that my friends recently bought.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/1991018277.html

Cheers Ron

The S800 has really already caught on. They are amazing driving cars, way more than their specs would lead you to believe.

I agree. The Honda S600/800s are about as cool as tiny cars get, except for maybe an Isetta. From what I'm told, the little Hondas are pretty usable even today. How could you not like a 9000 rpm redline in a tiny little car?