Our Top Ten Classic Cars at the Museum by Sales Volume
Continuing our recent series of top ten cars at the museum this week we are focussing on what are the best selling classic cars of all time
Any list of cars by sales or survival needs to establish from the outset the basis and methodology of the count.
For example, the repeated use of the same model designation over long periods of time raises the very thorny issue of establishing a numerical scheme which takes into account whether for example, there is any real commonality between a Mark One Ford Escort and a Mark Three. Probably the safest way to arbitrate on this is to take body shape as the defining feature of a car’s identity, along with at least a tilt to the basic mechanical layout. Of course, you could produce a number of lists utilising different criteria but in the interests of sparking a debate I am going to have a go based on the criteria above. One final big question is of course the question of made in the UK and actually sold in the UK. Over the past century, millions of cars produced in the UK a have been exported all over the world so there is a big distinction between UK produced and UK registered.
As a result of this my best sellers top ten will inevitably be highly subjective!!!
1. Classic Mini 1959 -2000. The widely quoted figure for Mini production in the UK is 5.4 million built mainly at Longbridge but also at Cowley. The Mini was also built in factories all over the world and If you visit AR online you will find a comprehensive article by Ian Nichols which lists production from many sources. It seems likely that the TOTAL production was in excess of 5.8 million .
Like the Original VW Beetle, the body shape remained substantially the same for 40 years and certainly the windscreen and rear window were never altered. There is also a strong argument that we might include “New Mini” in our count. After all, the continuity of form between Issigonis and Stephenson is indisputable and there can be little doubt that this has been a major factor in the success of a car which is now approaching its 25 th birthday.
Not as easy as the Mini but I think the Mk3 and everything that followed badged Escort are birds of a feather. It’s not as clear cut as the Mini as both body , glass and drive trains went through major changes but if you park a MK3 next to a Mk5 /6, there is a family resemblance which is hard to ignore. Production again was all over the world but Sales in the UK were measured in many millions.
Lumping the Mk 3 in with its successors is a very debatable move but there is some sort of stylistic link which does not hold true for the earlier cars?
Oh dear! Again , at what point does the shape of the Fiesta bear so little resemblance to the Mk1 for the car to be a Fiesta in name alone. I am doing this off the cuff and it’s possibly as late as 2007 when all resemblance to 1976 seems to have been lost? In which case , we would have to move the Fiesta up the table to a number two position?
5. Vauxhall Astra – At this point , I can feel daggers being drawn in Luton as cries of “ What about the Astra?”come wailing in from Bedfordshire. Now this is a thorny one as the difference between Mk1 and 2 was stylistically massive and subsequently changes seemed much less marked. I really don’t know where I stand on this one!
6. Ford Sierra
Not too controversial as there is a definite family resemblance from start to finish .
7. Ford Mondeo : Another tricky one but for me it’s the first and second generation that count so from 1993 to 2006. Still needs to move up my order though?
8. Austin/Morris 1100/1300 and badged variants.
Fast becoming forgotten is another Issigonis design which sold like hot cake in the 1960s. Well over 2 million were produced and there are not many left.
9. Austin/ Rover Metro .
I am amazed that the Metro is so derided these days. Had it benefitted from the clever facelifts which Ford gave the Fiesta and a five speed box before it got the K series engine,it might have given Ford a much bigger headache. Over two million were made and I truly think it’s a top ten car! For young Classic enthusiasts the later cars are a really smart buy.
Front Wheel Drive only and similar comments to the Sierra in terms of continuity of form.
In conclusion the final list is as follows
- Mini from 1959 to now Total sold : More than 10 million
- Ford Escort 1980 onwards More than 10 million
- Ford Fiesta 1976 onwards More than 10 million
- Ford Cortina 1970-82 More than 3.5 million
- Vauxhall Astra 1980- not sure but lets say 3.5 million.
- Ford Sierra 1982-93 Around 3.5 million
- Ford Mondeo 1993-2006 Around 3.5 million
- Austin/Morris 1100/1300 1963-74 Well over 2 million
- Austin/Rover Metro 1980-97 2.1 Million
- Vauxhall Cavalier 1981-95 1.5 Million
Plenty to talk about here !!
Visit Great British Car Journey and see loads of lovely Minis from 1959 to 2002. You can also drive quite a selection!
The Front wheel drive Escorts are also well represented with a concourse condition Mk 6 RS2000 as well as a very original early Mk3. You can drive a cabriolet and a low mileage Mk 4.
We have a truly rare Mk3 Cortina …where did they all go? You can drive a one owner from new Mk5.
We have a pristine Mk1 Fiesta XR2 and a very rare Super Sport Convertible by Crayford. J reg low mileage one to drive.
We have a good selection of Astras and you can drive a Mk1 and appreciate how much better it was than a Viva.
There is a very original 1.6 Sierra on display and a 2.0L Sapphire to drive.
The oldest Mk2 Cavalier surviving is on display and you can drive a one owner later model.
Our highest mileage car on display is a remarkable petrol Mondeo with over 300,000 miles on the clock. We don’t have one to drive but surely we should?
There are a number of 1100s and 1300s and you can drive a 1300GT.
Finally, the last MG Metro ever made is on display and you can take a spin in a less zippy edition.
Please feel free to comment/ chastise on my top ten. I openly declare a slight bias to cars built in Birmingham but can assure you that our over riding mission is to celebrate and preserve our motoring heritage.
