Typically, people don’t buy classic cars because they want to sell them. To many, they’re staples of beauty or mementos to a simpler time. But it’s always nice to buy a car that has appreciated in value rather than depreciated. And according to Hagerty, these vintage and classic car models have spiked in resale value for 2021 since they were brand new.

The 1982 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia brings van life to classic car enthusiasts

With Covid-19 impacting how people travel the world, many have turned to the camper van and RV life to fulfill their itch for exploration. And back in the 80s, Volkswagen replaced their iconic Type 2 Bus with this Vanagon. The VW campers were sold with a popup tent, folding tables, a bunch bed, and a kitchenette.

For the 1982 model year, the Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia (Westfalia being the name they gave to any conversion), the camper sold for $9,540 according to Hagerty. Today, you can snag one for $27,000, which means it’s increased in value by $545 every year for the past 39 years. That’ll save you some money on camping supplies, or repair costs when this old camper inevitably breaks down.

The 1964 Volvo P1800 was an elegant, safe roadster

When you think of Volvos, chances are station wagons are the first things that come to mind. Big, boxy squares that are built like tanks. The Volvo P1800 was certainly a Volvo in the sense that it was safe. But in terms of looks, this long, smooth car doesn’t scream Sweedish.

However, the Volvo P1800 is as Volvo as they come, at least toward the end of the car’s production. From 1961 to 1963, the car was actually assembled by Jenson Motors, but the build quality of those early Volvo P1800s didn’t meet Volvo’s standards. So, after 6,000 cars were built, Volvo brought the car back to their own production facilities, each one fitted with a 1.8-liter inline-four that made roughly 100 horsepower.

For that reason, we’ll be looking at the 1964 model year of the Volvo P1800, which cost a reasonable $3,995 when new. But today, a vehicle in fair condition can fetch up to $52,000, meaning that over 57 years, the car has appreciated in value by $842 every year.

The 1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE is the world’s first supercar

For the oldest car on our list, the Jaguar XK 120 SE was the fastest production car in the world when it rolled of the line, clocking in at 132 mph. It was a postwar sports car, and according to one of Hagerty’s writers, the first mass-produced supercar. Did we mention it’s also gorgeous?

With a 3.4 liter inline-six engine, the car made 180 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Which is nothing by today’s standards, but for 1954? Wicked fast. When new, the 1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE sold for $3,945. But now, you can find them for $121,500 easily. And had Jaguar made less of them, they’d fetch a higher price. Regardless, the car has made $1,754 a year for the past 67 years. But even if it depreciated in value, there’s no denying this car’s beauty.

How accurate this article will be as the years roll on is entirely uncertain. And every classic car model out there will be in different conditions. This has simply been an exercise of hypotheticals, toying with the potential value of classic cars, especially as we shift from gas to electric cars. But you certainly won’t make more money than you spend off these cars anytime soon.