Pre-war and 1950s cars may be left behind by a new generation of buyers hungry for hot hatches and 1980s models like the Jaguar XJ-S, dealers from across the UK indicate in a special Classic Car Weekly survey.
It discovered that some cars which were previously underappreciated are beginning to command values that reflect their condition. This means prices are rising for 1970s and '80s classics, and it can't be long before those of the 1990s rise to fill the gap in the marketplace.
The cars pulling in the punters on dealer forecourts reflect the trends at classic auctions in the first half of the year, where models such as the BMW 6-Series and the Ford Capri proved more popular than a year ago.
Enthusiasts who lusted after cars when they were new in the 1980s and the '90s are now in the market, and have enough disposable income to buy them.
In contrast, pre-WWII cars and 1950s models are proving trickier to sell on, with some dealers reporting a shrinking and ageing market.
However, one section of the market that remains consistently big business for dealers is classic British sports cars, While you won't find any headline price rises for 1960s roadsters such as the MGB, their evergreen appeal means they're a safe bet for forecourts.
Pre-war models: An uncertain future? Time will tell
Charles Smalley of Sherwood Restorations reckons the market for pre-war cars is shrinking. 'There's a dearth of younger enthusiasts for them, and the effect is to reduce the size of the market,' he told CCW.
However, prices don't appear to be affected by this. 'I don't think the market is about to collapse, but it's certainly taking longer to find homes for pre-war cars than it has been in the past,' said Charles.
But Andrew Welham of the North Yorkshire-based Classic and Sportscar Centre took a different view. 'If anything, we'd like to get more pre-war cars to sell,' he said.
Andrew also disagreed that pre-war cars are typically being sold to older people: 'I have sold an Austin Seven to a 21-year-old girl in the past!
'We can sell pretty much anything we get, and the clientele is quite varied,' he added.
1950s & 1960s: still great value
'Small saloons are selling well,' said Bob Adams of Solihull-based Bob's Affordable Classics. 'Cars like Morris Minors and Ford 100Es are finding homes as sensibly-sized classic transport that people can use regularly.
'The Ford market as a whole is stable,' he added - continuing the UK's love for the Blue Oval.
The Classic and Sportscar Centre's Andrew Welham added: 'These cars stay popular because they're great for taking to shows and a cheaper way into 1960s motoring than 'Healeys and the like. Prices aren't moving much. The E-type's halo effect is only affecting 1950s and 1960s sports cars, not so much the everyday saloons or estates.'
1970s & 1980s: The big growth sector
More modern classics are rising in value to reflect the growing interest in them, according to Mal Bishop of Sheffield's Spurr Classic Cars.
'There's not a lot of movement, but it's there. As the older stuff rises in value, we're seeing 1970s and '80s classics rise as former '60s enthusiasts get priced out of the market.'
Charles Smalley added: 'As the market moves forward, we're seeing an influx of interest in 1970s and '80s classics. Younger enthusiasts with disposable income to indulge themselves. The aspirational cars of the 1980s are now very deisrable and prices are starting to reflect this.'
1990s classics: A rising market for recent stars
Prestige 1990s classics are an appealing market, says Barry Bowman of Exclusive Classic Cars.
As well as classic British sports cars, he specialises in 1990s prestige classics and reports that BMW 8-series and Mercedes CLs are appreciating. 'I had a CL600 in last week for less than 12 hours before sale, and I've a lot of interest in a pair of BMW 850s at present.
'As with all new markets, the premium stuff is attracting the attention at present, so bread-and-butter 1990s cars haven't been impacted yet.'
Andrew Welham added: 'Cars like the later Jaguar XJS models are moving, but not as much as they will be in two or three years' time. Bills are the only thing putting people off the more modern classics, but as they get harder to find this will become less of a concern.'
Classic British Sports Cars: The safe bet - and lots of fun!
'Rarer cars such as the MGC are still strong,' says Bob Adams. 'But more common classics like the MGB have to be the right price and condition.'
Andrew Hobson agreed. 'Sports cars will still sell at the right prices. I find those prices are now higher than they were last year.'
Barry Bowman added: 'The sports car market is still there, but they have to be the very best. We have trouble selling cars that are anything less than pristine - people no longer want to buy cars as rolling restorations.'
Charles smalley told CCW: 'Demand is always there for sports cars. People are realising they may as well have fun with their savings. Investment isn't always a consideration, but sports cars are still popular and will be until interest rates go up.'
Imports & Exports: Steady growth in a strong year
Rarer American cars have seen good showings at auction - but is the market for US classic weak on the whole? 'It's a difficult market to sell in, but that's more to do with how specialised it is than any real issues,' said Andrew Hebron of St Andrews Autos. 'Prices are still buoyant - the market's a little worse than in 2014, but it's still a very strong year.'
Mal Bishop specialises in Pontiac Trans-Ams and reckons the market for imported cars is healthy: 'We're seeing slight changes, but all in one direction. Demand is still strong and prices are rising to reflect this.'
Andrew Welham added: 'American cars have a cult following, and that market's the strongest it's been.' Barry Bowman reported a trend toward British GT and sports cars: 'We've sent XJ-Ss to Spain and Hong Kong, and an MGB LE to Australia. People are more willing to buy from overseas if it ensures a good car.'