Seven hot hatches from the 70s, 80s and 90s that have increased in value in 2024 – did you have one before?

Whichever way you look at it, there has been a wholesale correction in classic car prices in the UK over the past year.

The post-Covid boom that saw collectible motorcycle values ​​skyrocket is over.

Prices have fallen on every type of classic engine, from the earliest Edwardian veteran cars through to the turbo-era cars of the 1990s.

In fact, 93 percent of the nearly 3,000 models in the UK Hagerty Price Guide have fallen or remained stable in value over the past twelve months, based on ongoing monitoring of private sales prices, auction results and insurance quotes.

However, there is one vehicle segment that has remained relatively unmoved against a declining backdrop of values: hot hatches.

Hagerty’s Hot Hatchback Index fell slightly over the year, but remains 15 percent higher than when it was created in 2018.

Seven – ranging from the 1970s through the 1990s – have even broken the trend of falling prices and increased in value in 2024.

Here’s an overview of those engines.

1. Renault Clio Williams (1993-1995)

Homologation special: check. Renault Sport-tuned 148 hp engine: check mark. Instantly recognizable combination of Metallic Sports Blue and gold rims: tick.

The Clio Williams not only looks like a hot hatch hero, but it lives up to expectations on the road, delivering an exhilarating ride with tons of feedback, even if you need a bit of reverse lock when you push hard.

In 2022, Hagerty chose this car as one to watch during the annual Bull Market selection.

At the time, prices for the rarest individually numbered Williams 1 models were around £18,400, the more numerous Williams 2 around £14,900.

Both have increased, but in the past year only the Williams 2 has maintained that increase. It may be more numerous, but well-maintained specimens are rare and really in high demand.

2. Renault 5 Turbo 1/2 (1980-1984)

The older brother of the Clio Williams is another hot hatch that is increasingly increasing in value.

Rear-wheel drive, a mid-mounted 1.4-litre turbo engine and those amazing flared arches make this an iconic car.

The first version, now known as the Turbo 1, is the most collectible with top prices of the best examples reaching around €150,000 in France and Hagerty’s UK ‘excellent’ condition price approaching £100,000.

Values ​​of the next Turbo 2, which matched the original in appearance but was built with more standard parts, are around a quarter less but are still rising gradually (rising 3 percent from £72,900 to £74,900).

Both versions are extremely rare in Britain and will turn heads at any show.

3. Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf (1996-2000)

Now a little more affordable.

The Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf is both the most reasonably priced on our list and the least powerful, but offers a huge amount for the money.

The 2.0-litre Twin Spark engine is more competent than exciting, but the 155bhp produced is enough to make the car fun and lively to drive.

The inside is of its time: a neat cabin, good seats and lots of space.

Thanks to the body kit and the teledial wheels, it is also the most beautiful of all generations 145/146.

Almost completely forgotten when the 3.2-litre Busso-engined 147 arrived, the 145 Cloverleaf is now rare as hen’s teeth and slowly rising in value.

4.Peugeot 205 T16 (1983-1985)

Another French hot hatch and another homologation special: the Peugeot 205 T16 is even crazier than the Renault 5 Turbo.

Created by Jean Todt (yes, the ex-Ferrari F1 and FIA boss). it was a bespoke series of 200 homologation cars to gain entry into Group B rallying.

When launched in 1983 it cost the same as a Porsche 911, but apart from the front half of the body, the car shared almost no parts with the standard road-going 205.

The four-cylinder 1.8-liter twin-cam turbo engine produced around 200 horsepower, still a lot less than the 500 horsepower generated by the racing version, but enough to make it feel very special even today.

The only color offered was Winchester Grey, but some very special customers managed to convince Peugeot to paint them in different colours, and these now come at a premium price.

5. Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth (1987)

Ford Sierra RS500 values ​​have almost doubled in 2023, peaking with an astonishing sale of £590,500 in February 2023 by Iconic Auctioneers.

That car, with just 5,000 miles from new and reportedly in concours condition, was a unique example, but its values ​​have refused to remain static.

This year it’s the slightly less pristine cars that have made the money: Hagerty’s Condition 2 ‘Excellent’ price has risen above £100,000 for the first time ever.

Demand for these cars is still the most desirable road-going Sierra, but it’s not likely that demand for these cars will decrease anytime soon.

6. Opel HS Chevette (1978-1981)

A Group 4 homologation, the HS was intended to challenge the Ford Escort RS2000, and in terms of value it has done just that, increasing by the second highest percentage on our list in 2024.

A power output of 135 hp was quite a sum in the late 1970s, and the combination of silver paintwork and a red tartan interior can’t really be beat.

The HS is a model where the value difference between a good and a ‘fair’ example is enormous and growing: Hagerty’s 2020 prices ranged from £11,400 to £24,500; now they are between £12,800 and £39,600.

This is a car that buyers really want to own and are willing to pay for.

7. Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 (1986-1994)

This year’s top performer in Hagerty’s Hot Hatch Index is the Peugeot 205 GTi, especially the later 1.9-litre versions.

For so many people who grew up in the 1980s, the 205 GTi was an aspirational car, not unattainable like a Ferrari or Porsche, but an almost available sports car.

Now these people are at the highest earning point and as a result the prices of good products have increased.

Top values ​​are still being paid in France, peaking at €83,000 in April 2022, but high prices have been paid here too: in February this year one was sold by Iconic Auctioneers for a British record £42,500.

As always, low mileage, originality, interesting colors and state drive prices up.

*Disclaimer: Values ​​shown are UK Hagerty price guidelines for cars in ‘Excellent’ condition. Duplicate submodels removed for clarity.