MODERN CLASSICS
DIARY OF A MODERN CLASSIC ADDICT
Ah, the joy of modern classics. In the old days, we’d use rubbish expressions like ‘future classic’ when describing something interesting that’s less than 20 years-old. But now that we all have our sounding board, our scene, it’s so much easier to justify some of the car choices we make, no matter how suspect they may seem to some. We can call them ‘modern classics’.
However, it’s also fair to say that some cars become pukka classics sooner than others. You’ll know exactly what I mean – the first time I laid eyes on the current Alpine A110, I knew it was a classic the moment it came off the production line. Somewhere down the line, all cars make it as classics.
There’s no better illustration of that than the two latest cars I’ve picked up via friend of PC, Clive Jefferson, who sold me a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 and Audi 80 2.0E, both previously owned by Keith Moody (formerly of this parish). I had bought them both with the intention of fixing them up and selling them on, and getting two lovely modern classics out there again.
But looking at the two cars – both H-registered – it’s funny how the 190E just oozes classic appeal from every shutline, while the brilliant 80 just melts into the background. Coming from an admirer of these Audis, this is a bit of a revelation. They’re the same age and targeted the same market when new, but only one is clearly a gilt-edged classic right now. They’re still both great modern classics, though.
Improving on perfection
With that in mind, the decision about which car to work on was quite easy. The 190E came home with me, while the 80 still languishes in the works car park. My son and I set about getting it up to speed, putting right the myriad of electrical faults (who says German cars are reliable?). These issues started with the non-functioning electric windows and door handles, and ended with the non-working fan blower and heater, via several other hard-to-trace annoyances.
On the road, you’d never know that it had been sat idle for qui
