64 SpecialIssue http://www.autoexpress.co.uk
Theultimateguide to
modern classiccars
6
CLASSICSFROM
AROUNDTHEWORLD
Great classics have been produced all over the globe. Here’s our pick of the best of the rest...
Ford Puma
Years produced: 1997-2002
Price range: £150-£3,500 Rarity:★★★★★★★★
Maintenance:★★★★★Investment:★★★★★
Saab 900
Years produced: 1978-1994
Price range: £800-£10,000 Rarity:★★★★★★★
Maintenance:★★★★★Investment:★★★★★
RATHERthanmakeanotherXR2fromthebrilliantMk4
Fiesta,Fordcreatedacutecoupéthatdroveassweetlyas
itlooked.ThePumawasarealinternationaleffort;styled
byaBrit,ituseda1.7-litreenginethatwasmadeinSpain,
shippedtoYamahainJapanforworkandthensentback
toGermany,whereitwasboltedintothecar.
TherestofthePuma,includingtheinterior,waspure
Fiesta,whichmadeitcheapandeasytofix.Despitethis,
lessthan10percentofthe53,000PumassoldintheUK
havesurvived,mainlyduetoterminalrustissues.Bythe
timethebubblesstartappearingonthereararches,the
underneathofthecarisusuallybeyondeconomicrepair.
ButenthusiastsarestartingtoseekoutthegoodPumas
sincepricesofalldesirableoldFordsinevitablyrise.Soon
itwillevenbeworthwhilerestoringaPuma.Fornow,find
oneingoodfettleforacheap,fun-to-driveinvestment.
The‘classic’900isconsideredthelastproper
Saab,beforethecompanystartedusingplatforms
sharedwithothermanufacturers.Asurprising
numberhavesurvived,becausethe900wasbuilt
tolastandownerslookedafterthem.That’skept
pricesgenerallylowuptonow,butthevaluesofthe
bestTurbosandConvertiblesarestartingtorise
fast.Ifyou’realittlelessfussyandwillaccepta
lower-specificationcar,thenyoucanhavea
greatstarterclassicforlessthan£1,500.
expertview
FindatidyPumaatthe
rightpriceandyou’ll
havearealbargain.
Greatsteeringanda
slickgearboxmean
it’sahoottodrive.
JohnMcIlroy
Deputy editor
