500 Not Out

We identify some modern classics in danger of extinction... and the older cars which massively outnumber them

- Paul Wager

More than once in CCB we’ve discussed how entire generations of modern classics are in danger of being wiped out by scrappage schemes, clean air incentives and similar, but when you start combing through the DVLA figures, it’s clear that many interesting potential classics from the last 20-30 years have already shrunk to tiny numbers.

As an extreme example, you’ll find just 11 Audi 200 Turbos left in roadworthy condition and the lovable MG Metro – once such a common sight – is down to less than 100 examples. All of which seems rather unfair when you consider that 1357 of Volkswagen’s mighty folly the Phaeton are still running around and the Triumph Stag has survived to the tune of over 5500 examples, itself dwarfed by the 23,000-odd MGBs out there.

Here then are our picks of the cars which have survived the years... and those which haven’t.

ENDANGERED

ALFA ROMEO 156 GTA

Survivors: 178

The 156 was supposed to be (yet another) car to save Alfa Romeo – or at least that’s what the magazine headlines said. In truth, the car was an excellent product with Walter da Silva’s styling setting it dramatically apart from the Mondeo and 3-Series herd, even if the dealer network and general customer experience saw to it once again that Alfa didn’t challenge either in the fleet market.

Nonetheless, the 156 was a steady seller and once was a common sight on UK roads, helped no doubt by its unusually conventional mechanical layout. For once Alfa went with an entirely familiar drivetrain: a range of market-friendly petrol and diesel engines ranging from the 1.6-liter four-pot to the 2.5-liter V6, with even the basic 1.6 knocking out a handy 118 bhp while the 2.5-liter V6 was good for 189 bhp.