Market view
£20k result is a price record, but it’s not a win-win for all Corrados
Charterhouse’s £20,000plus result for a Volkswagen Corrado VR6 has put this plush sporting coupé firmly back in the limelight having, to a great extent, been overshadowed by interest in MkII Golf GTIs and last-of-the-line Sciroccos.
While the sharp-looking twodoor is thoroughly deserving of the modern classic epithet (fewer than 100,000 were built in a seven-year production run) sightings at auctions are rare, due perhaps to the loyal following that sees owners reluctant
to part with their car. A choice of models means those who simply ‘want a Corrado’ will have less of a problem than those after a more powerful, higher specification example.
‘There are lots of 16v ones on the market but the real appeal is with the Storms, which are in short supply due to their limited production run, then the VR6 and G60 models,’ says East Anglia Motor Auctions’ Tristram Bellemore- Smith.
‘Sadly the majority of the sought after models have higher mileage and this in turn pushes the prices of the sub-100k milers up: Prices of these seem to remain static.’
While a Corrado market exists, it is picky. ‘There is a reasonable market – but only for the best,’ says The Market’s Tristan Judge. ‘ VR6s will always do well if properly serviced and looked after – but anything a bit “edgy” is falling flat on its face.’
But while the less presentable or passable cars are struggling, the very best can confidently be expected to do well. Richard Bromell takes up the story of the Charterhouse Corrado: ‘This was probably a world record price for a VW Corrado. Here was a very, very special car. With a single owner from new, the more popular VR6 rather than the G60, the last UK-registered VR6, low mileage and excellent history, and having spent the past few years in a car cocoon it was always going to make strong money at this event.
‘There was a good amount of presale interest from enthusiasts, most wanting to confirm all original glass and things like that. No doubt many of them owned a Corrado back in the ‘90s and later, or maybe not and wanted one today – much of bidding and buying cars is about nostalgia.’
But for those on the hunt for a bargainprice Corrado, time could be running out as those cheaper prices attract more buyer attention. Morris Leslie’s Keith Murray says: ‘The affordability has without doubt created an enthusiastic following, which in turn is leading to an increase in values as examples are snapped up. If you are considering something a little different with a degree of rarity and plenty of performance undoubtedbly the time is now to acquire a Corrado.’
‘There is a reasonable market, but only for the best’