The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Hagerty Announces The 2010 Hot List: A Decade in Review

New List Presents Top Ten Future Collectibles of the Past Decade

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Dec. 21 -- With the decade coming to a close, Hagerty, the leading insurer of collector cars, has expanded its annual Hot List of the "Collector Cars of Tomorrow." The 2010 Hot List: A Decade in Review presents Hagerty's top picks from 2000 to 2009 of the most influential cars of the past decade with the highest probability of becoming collector cars in the future.

"Over the past decade and even the past year, the automotive industry has seen immense change. But one thing that has not wavered is America's passion for interesting and unique cars," said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance Agency. "Since our first Hot List in 2007, we've chosen cars that have peaked the interest of Americans and that we anticipate will be collectible in the future. This year we sifted through the good, the bad and the ugly of the past 10 years to present one new car from each year that you can bet your money on will be collectible 15 to 20 years from now."

For this year's Hot List: A Decade in Review, Hagerty reviewed mass produced cars from 2000 to 2009 with an MSRP of $100,000 or lower that valuation experts at the company predict will have collector appeal within the next 15 to 20 years. One car was selected from each year based on factors including how influential it was in the automotive industry, its "cool or unique factor" and its potential value in the collector car market.

  Hagerty presents the Hagerty Hot List: A Decade in Review:

  1. 2000 BMW M Roadster - The four-cylinder Z3 was a bit of a snooze, but
     the M Roadster with 240 hp and a 0-60 time of around five seconds is a
     Gen-X Shelby Cobra. Quad chrome pipes out the back, fat tires, special
     side grilles and M badges identify this very special Z3. We believe in
     the years to come this car will be highly desired by collectors for its
     gracious curves and powerful engine.
  2. 2001 Corvette ZO6 - While the 2001 ZO6's 385 horsepower is less than
     the current base model Corvette, it did mark the return of the vaunted
     ZO6 for the first time since 1963. The enthusiast publications were
     shocked by GM's willingness to sell essentially a race-ready Corvette
     straight from the factory.
  3. 2002 Pontiac Firebird WS-6 "Ram-Air" - The Firebird burned bright in
     its last year-- this was the most powerful Firebird ever produced (and
     with the death of Pontiac, almost certainly the last). GM claimed it
     was rated at 325 horsepower, but many Firebird enthusiasts claim they
     were underrated by up to 40 horsepower. Not bad considering the most
     powerful Mustang offered in 2002 had nearly 65 horsepower less.
  4. 2003 Mini Cooper S "JCW" - In 2003 the Detroit Auto Show awarded this
     Mini "North American Car of the Year". This car made our list not only
     because it was the first year the "John Cooper Works" Tuning Kit was
     available, but more importantly because anyone who drives one of these
     cars walks away with a silly grin. It just begs to be driven hard and
     often.
  5. 2004 Cadillac CTS-V - This is the Cadillac for the Corvette enthusiast
     who has to haul around kids and their gear. After decades of Cadillac
     catering exclusively to the to those buying their last or second to
     last cars,  the new CTS-V with its 400 horsepower Z06 Corvette engine
     will surely earn the respect of car collectors down the road as the
     most memorable Caddy from this past decade.
  6. 2005 Acura NSX - The NSX was the first production car to feature an
     all-aluminum chassis, suspension and body, and was produced from
     1990-2005 with very little changes throughout its 15 year run. The
     breakthrough design influenced other supercars including the McLaren
     F-1. It isn't uncommon to see an NSX on the auction bill at collector
     car auctions often selling for nearly what they cost new.
  7. 2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10 (viper powered pick-up) - Unlike any other Ram
     pick-up, this one was produced solely for the purpose of speed. With
     500 horsepower and even more torque straight from the factory, these
     trucks would run less than a 14 second quarter-mile and easy
     modifications put them into the 12 second category.
  8. 2007 Ford Shelby Mustang GT 500 - Following the introduction of the
     fifth-generation Ford Mustang, the Shelby nameplate was revived in 2007
     for the first time since 1970. This new high performance version of the
     Mustang as a way to pay tribute to the legendary Carroll Shelby. With
     its retro looks, 500 horsepower, and Shelby's autograph on the dash,
     this car introduced the younger generation to the glorious racing days
     of the 1960s.
  9. 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 - Mopar enthusiasts waited a long time for
     this much anticipated tribute to one of the icons of the muscle car
     era. When compared to all the retro inspired muscle cars of this
     decade, our vote is for the Challenger as it most closely resembles its
     first generation ancestor.
  10. 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe - With the death of Pontiac announced
      toward the end of this decade, their last true sports car was the
      Solstice GXP. The convertible version sold respectably for several
      years, but this Coupe version was only produced for half a year. This
      rare model will certainly be desirable in the years to come.

Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. is the leading insurance agency for collector vehicles in the world and host to the largest network of collector car owners. Hagerty offers insurance for collector cars, motorcycles and motorcycle safety equipment, tractors, automotive tools and spare parts, and even "automobilia" (any historic or collectible item linked with motor vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas shipping/touring insurance coverage, commercial coverage and club liability coverage. For more information, call (800) 922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091221/LA28751
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com