ASK QUENTIN
Camargue plus Mercedes S124?
I own a 1981 Camargue I bought from an enthusiast who’d had it for 30 years. Now I need a practical car and am tempted by the Mercedes S124 estate but several of those advertised are Japanese imports. Are these worth considering? David Siegal
The Camargue sounds lovely and a wise buy for the future. W124 wagons have never been as desirable as the earlier W123s but they’re attracting more interest as 123s get more expensive. Buyers prefer home-market delivered Mercs - but a Japanese import will usually be rust free and well-maintained because of stringent used car regulations in Japan. Look for the bigger petrol models with the seven-seat option, low mileage, solid history and a strong colour like Azurite Blue or black. The later facelift versions, badged as E, aren’t quite so desirable as the earlier cars.
Quentin Willson
Sell the Vantage for a 911?
I have small dilemma over what to possibly sell or exchange, or just keep! My 2004 Aston V12 Vanquish, with Aston Works Service manual conversion, is definitely staying. We also have a 2013 Aston V8 Vantage Sportshift 2 in Quantum Silver that we’ve owner from new. It’s fabulous looking, but I just don’t know whether to swap/sell it for an Eighties/ Nineties Porsche 911SC. I’ve always admired them but never bought one when they were quite cheap. The final car is a 1974 five-speed Citroën DS23 Pallas on carbs, black on black with factory Webasto roof. All are kept in an underground garage, and I’m running out of space! Paul Barton
You’re right to keep the manual V12 Vanquish - that’s very special. I’d sell the V8 Vantage and the DS because I think they’ve reached a peak and will only fall with the weakening market. Now would be a great time to buy a 911SC or a later 3.2 Carrera because their values have softened recently. You’ll absolutely love a 911 and won’t have any regrets. Just make sure its a proper car with a long paper trail.
Quentin Willson
Audi 100 Coupé S
I’ve been presented with the opportunity to buy a 1973 Audi Coupé S automatic with only 13k miles on the clock, kept in a heated garage all its life. It has recently had £3k spent to get it running, and still has its original tyres and paintwork. The spare is unused. Everything is original. I have seen it and it does look stunning in turquoise. The dash has warped a bit at the end on the passenger side. The top of the wings have been repaired and the underneath of the car is virtually rust free. Any idea what I should pay? Shabaz Mohammed
NOT SURE WHETHER NOW’S THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY, SELL OR HANG ONTO THAT CLASSIC? Email classic.cars@ bauermedia.co.uk with ‘Ask Quentin’ in the subject line.
This is a remarkable find. Seventies Audi Coupés were expert rusters, and didn’t have galvanised panels like the later 100 saloons, so few survive today. By your description it’ll need some work to get it into mint condition, starting with a monster service plus new tyres. The Market sold a nice ’72 with 79k miles a while back for £12k, so I’d see yours in its current condition at £20k-£25k. Minted up you might see £35k. Quentin Willson