QUIET CLIMBERS | THE COLLECTOR CARS TO BUY THIS WINTER
As the 2025 summer season winds down, the classic car market's quieter currents are revealing which “non-headline” classics are gaining traction. While the big names remain stable, it’s the cars with character, engineering merit, and relative obscurity that are seeing the most interesting movement. Below are four models that are attracting serious attention in the UK and Europe. Each is grounded in trends, not hype, proposing unmissable value and opportunity for today's Winter buyer.
Ferrari 575M Maranello — The Last Analogue V12 GT
Once viewed as “modern used Ferrari,” the 575M is increasingly seen as a collector car with genuine upside. UK values for manual 575Ms are currently estimated in the £200,000+ (depending on mileage and provenance). The Classic Valuer’s auction data shows average manual conversions selling around £147,741 for cars in “average condition” — a reflection of increasing willingness to bid into elevated territory.
More broadly, Octo Classic reports that the 575M has jumped 18.2 % since 2023, far outpacing many front-engine Ferraris in the same period. Other listing sites show a wide spread: some F1 models in the region of £104,000, while the rarer manuals and Superamerica variants push much higher, and are sought after as the ones to have when it comes to the 575.
Trend takeaway: The 575M’s rising value is being driven by scarcity of manual examples, with only 69 right-hand drive manuals built! As well as a growing appreciation of early 21st-century Ferrari engineering, and its position as a usable V12 GT with real road manners, the 575M is increasingly seen as a hot investment among post-2000 classics.
Lotus Esprit V8 — British Exotic Resurgence
Once a poster-era exotic, the Esprit V8 is reclaiming respect among collectors drawn to bold design and raw performance. In “Future Classics” and specialist press, the Esprit V8 is often cited as undervalued and due for reawakening. Radical Magazine calls it “a cool machine, completely underrated,” noting its 3.5-litre V8 turbo output and rarity.
The car’s 50th anniversary has renewed interest: Classic & Sportscar dedicates coverage to its legacy and evolving collector status, and CarBuzz calls it “a bargain in 2025/26,” noting that many examples still trade at levels that suggest upside potential.
Auction previews (e.g. RM Sotheby’s listings) include Esprits with low mileage and serious spec, with estimates from circa £60,000–£100,000+ in some international markets.
Trend takeaway: The Esprit V8 is benefiting from revivals in interest in late-period analogue exotics, designer legacy awareness (e.g. Giugiaro / Stevens styling), and a constrained supply of well-maintained examples. As restorable mid-rare exotics get more expensive, the Esprit’s current undervaluation may not last - now could be your time to buy!
Photo Credit: EVO | https://www.evo.co.uk/
Morgan Aero 8 — Craftsmanship and Character
The Aero 8, once polarising, is attracting renewed attention for its unique blend of hand-built character and BMW V8 performance, considered the car that saved Morgan's place in the sports car market. While detailed published auction data is more limited, it’s often mentioned in dealer commentaries and enthusiast forums as one of the British marques with strong “future classic” potential.
It frequently appears in curated lists of modern British niche classics (e.g. Morgan’s own future heritage commentary). Values in recent years have firmed, with early Series 1 / 2 examples often cited in the £50,000–£65,000 range by specialist dealers and press oversight.
Its craftsmanship, rarity, and analogue appeal give it a candidacy for greater collector reappraisal, particularly among those seeking something distinct yet usable.
Trend takeaway: The Aero 8 benefits from being reliably built (BMW underpinnings) yet visually and philosophically pure. In a market where uniqueness is prized, it is a standout candidate for upward momentum, especially among the early Series 1 & Series 2 models.
Jaguar XJS V12 — Refined GT in Reconsideration
Once dismissed as a “luxury cruiser,” the XJS is being rediscovered as one of Jaguar’s last true grand tourers.
Market movements suggest that well-kept V12 XJS models (especially late “Celebration” or low-mileage examples) are now regularly fetching £25,000–£35,000 in good condition, with rarer variants going higher. Enthusiast commentary highlights increased demand, particularly from those who want a comfortable, sophisticated car rather than raw sports machinery.
The limited supply of unmolested, rust-free examples and rising restoration costs for V12 Jaguars add a scarcity premium. As the classic Jaguar market matures and E-Types, XK8s and others appear to be settling, the XJS with its strong lineage is drawing comparative value buyers.
Trend takeaway: The XJS offers a bridge between classic Jaguar heritage and usable luxury GT performance. It is increasingly viewed not as a secondary player, but as a refined, real-world classic worth reconsidering.
Photo Credit: Classic & Sports Car | https://www.classicandsportscar.com/
The Wider Market...
According to the Oracle Finance Classic Car Market Report 2025, 46% of models in their guide saw value declines in 2024, 46% remained static, and just 8% appreciated — highlighting how selective the market is becoming. The same report shows that cars from the 2000s (i.e. early modern classics) were the only age bracket to, on average, record value rises in 2024 — evidence that the “future classics” cohort is already gaining favour.
In the PistonHeads 2025 Market Trend List, niche and analogue cars — rather than pure blue-chips — are among those called out for upward momentum. The “Bull Market List” from Hagerty (UK) also reinforces that undervalued, driver-focused cars with cultural or technical merit are now seen as the smart bets for collectors.
The broader implication is that margin, discretion and technical character are becoming key differentiators. Buyers are increasingly unwilling to overpay for name recognition alone. Instead, they’re rewarding cars with strong mechanical integrity, coherent design identity, and limited supply.
What's next? For the winter of 2025–26, the most compelling opportunities lie not at the apex of classic-car pricing, but in the layers just underneath. Cars like the Ferrari 575M, Lotus Esprit V8, Morgan Aero 8, and Jaguar XJS V12 illustrate a shift in collector focus — away from pure nostalgia, toward smart discernment. These models combine usability, rarity, and identity — which makes them among the strongest candidates for appreciation when the spotlight returns.
How can DM Historics help?
At DM Historics, we’ve built our reputation on understanding not just where the market is, but where it’s going. From sourcing investment-grade examples, such as our 2003 Ferrari 575M, one of only 69 built, to preparing classics for sale, our team combines hands-on experience with real-time market awareness. Whether you’re looking to acquire one of this winter’s “quiet climbers” or considering the right moment to sell, our expert knowledge ensures your decision is guided by insight, not impulse.