News recently broke Antarctica Flights will soon again offer Australians day trips to see Antarctica from the sky.

The privately chartered flights will run from November, with flights departing Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Labelled “the world’s most unique scenic flight”, Antarctica Flights take place on Qantas 787 Dreamliners, and last between 12 and 13 hours.

 

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The world’s most unique scenic flight, with up to 4 hours over Antarctica is selling FAST. Return trips from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Link in bio to book your place today. #AntarcticaInADay #AntarcticaFlights #SightseeingFlights #BucketList

A post shared by Antarctica Flights (@antarcticaflights) on Aug 9, 2020 at 11:50pm PDT

As the traditional way of experiencing Antarctica involves flying to the southern tip of South America (and then getting on an emissions heavy cruise ship), on first glance Antarctica Flights is an ’emissions easy’ way to see the icy continent.

To some degree it is (not to mention, it’s no different than any other flight of the same distance 99% of us will happily – and regularly – make to visit other countries to go on holiday).

But Dr Matthew Stocks, an ANU research fellow with more than 20 years of research and development experience in renewable energy, has told DMARGE that just because Antarctica Flights may pollute less than a cruise, if you’re taking the Greta Thunberg approach, they’re still not perfect.

“Neither are a great way to travel!”

Dr Stocks points out that cruise company Carnival reports 251g of CO2 per average lower berth passenger per km.

Assuming every cabin has two occupants, Dr Stocks says “travelling by boat to Antarctica from Dunedin in NZ [with Carnival] would be around 5400km, so a couple would produce 2.7 tonnes of CO2.”

“This is about the emissions of the average new car (180gCO2/km) driving 15000km (slightly above the average distance per car).”

 

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A post shared by Antarctica Flights (@antarcticaflights) on Aug 13, 2020 at 12:53am PDT

The Qantas Dreamliner (787), on the other hand “uses at least 5.11 kg/km” Dr Stocks tells us,
“with an emissions intensity of 3.1 kgCO2/kg fuel.”

“This should result in 0.8 tonnes of direct CO2 emissions for 2 passengers (I am only counting the plane is flying from Dunedin as you would have to get to the start of the cruise somehow).”

“The challenge with planes is that they have other impacts than the direct carbon emissions due to the use of jets in the upper atmosphere. A weighting factor of about 2.7 is usual. You then end up with more that 2.0 tonnes of CO2,” Dr Stocks adds.

“My suggestion – jump on a train and tour Australia instead!!!”

Make sense but… you’re still hanging to see Antarctica? Antarctica Flights have an emissions offset program (every flight is carbon neutral), which may help give you peace of mind.

Through certified carbon credits purchased under the Gold Standard, Antarctica Flights contribute to projects that not only provide positive benefits to the climate, but also achieve social and economic ‘co-benefits’.

Read Next

• Qantas Helps Bring Australians Ice Cold Bali Alternative
• Adventure Photographer Captures Antarctica Through The Lens Of An iPhone

The post Antarctica Sightseeing Flights: The Cold Truth appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Scent, like taste, can be subjective. Something some people think smells wonderful can just as easily be considered rank by others. For example, many love the smell of tobacco – the dark, roasted scent of a fine cigar, say. Others despise the odor.

Indeed, tobacco is a particularly prescient example as it’s a common scent component of some of the most popular fragrances on the market.

Finding a fragrance that’s both distinct enough to complement your personality without being odd can be a challenge. Conversely, many colognes – particularly ‘high street’ brands at the bottom half of the market – smell nearly identical… And often quite unpleasant.

Why is it that so many cheap colognes smell the same, and what scents can you pick to avoid smelling cheap?

DMARGE spoke exclusively with Emma J Leah, Master Perfumer at independent Gold Coast perfume house Fleurage.

Her take? There are two main factors that influence this phenomenon: too few companies and too little scent experimentation.

“There’s only a handful of fragrance companies they use to produce what you see on the shelf,” Leah relates.

For example, the Swiss firm Givaudan – which has a whopping 20% market share and is responsible for creating almost a third of all fragrances on the market today – makes fragrances for brands as diverse as Calvin Klein, Prada, Diptyque, Tom Ford, Lanvin, Yves Saint-Laurent and many others.

 

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A post shared by Faz Isa – Fragrance Photog (@faz_frags) on May 16, 2020 at 4:53pm PDT

With so many brands being produced by a single company, you can understand why things might share similar fragrance cues.

The other big factor is market research and simple economics.

“Scent analysts dictate what is popular and marketing has overtaken the art of clever and individual blends from previous positive responses,” Leah bemoans.

“There aren’t as many open notes to choose from as, say, heart and base, so there is a tendency to go to the same palette over and over. [Moreover,] these big companies are also going for a universal appeal to sell as much as they can across a large demographic… fresh fruits and ozonics are appealing to a large enough cross-section.”

If the adage goes that ‘if you stand for nothing you fall for everything’, the reverse is also true: if you try and be everything to everyone, you can risk alienating people – which seems to be the pitfall many cheap or common fragrances fall into.

Fruity scents like grapefruit or vanilla are agreeable to a majority of people and therefore come up as common components in fragrances. Ironically, it’s somewhat of a ‘New Coke’ effect: in isolation, people like these smells, but in the real world these ‘agreeable’ scents can end up smelling overplayed and unpleasant.

From Cliched To Cutting-Edge

So now that we know what scents to avoid if we’re looking for a fragrance to make our own, what sort of scents are underrated or becoming the next big thing?

“Commercially I expect the surprising current conditions to push the market to super ‘clean’ scents like balsamic, pine and water styles with fresh woods to appease the pandemic’s psychological landscape,” Leah predicts.

“[Going forward] I expect to see consumers seeking a more unique personalized style from niche independent brands that are producing unusual and often old-school fragrance compositions.”

Indeed, it’s a space where independent Australian brands such as Solid State, Goldfield & Banks, Map of the Heart and indeed Fleurage have been particularly trailblazing (and successful), establishing themselves as credible rivals to the big European perfume brands.

The other big trend is towards ‘unisex’ fragrances that aren’t explicitly gender-coded, such as Comme des Garçons 2 or Calvin Klein CK Everyone.

Read Next

• The Best Colognes & Fragrances For Men To Score In 2020
• Classic Men’s Fragrances & Colognes That Have Stood The Test Of Time
• The Secret To Finding Your Signature Scent, According To A Master Perfumer

The post Why All Cheap Colognes Smell Similar appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Ice cold Bintangs. Panoramic clifftop views. Hipster cafes. Perfectly feathering waves. Though our heads may be full of joyous stereotypes, Bali holds a special – authentic – place in many Australians hearts (and itineraries). Many have even moved to Island of the Gods permanently.

While Border Force figures show 200,000 people have returned to Australia since March 21, there are a number of Australians who have decided to ride out the pandemic in Bali.

As the Sydney Morning Herald reports, some Australians, like 53-year-old Tim Ryan, don’t plan on repatriating any time soon – even after being out of work for a number of months.

“My family live here and I believe in Bali,” Ryan told the Sydney Morning Herald. “My wife is Indonesian. Bali is home.”

Ryan told the Sydney Morning Herald he is “a little bit concerned” about coronavirus, but “the situation is not too bad.”

“If I am really sick, health insurance will allow me to go back to Australia to seek medical help.”

“If you look at the situation now, the beach is open. … I believe that the Balinese government and health system has got it under control and they are taking precautions to keep it under control, so I feel safe,” he added.

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Speaking of the beach being open (after closing for a period of time as confirmed cases soared), the Instagram account, Surfers Of Bali (SOB), has been making waves of late on social media, giving wing-clipped Australians even harder FOMO than usual.

SOB has posted tantalising videos of Bali for years. And their aesthetic hasn’t changed in the last few months. But the account has captured a rare moment in history that may never be repeated: what Balinese coastal areas and surf spots look like with no international visitors (visitors are set to return in September) – just expatriates and locals.

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A post shared by Surfers of Bali (@surfersofbali) on Aug 16, 2020 at 1:36am PDT

From Uluwatu – the south-western tip of the Bukit peninsula – to the iconic surf spots at Padang Padang and Bingin, as well as city breaks like Kuta and rice paddy backed beaches like Canggu, SOB has captured, one might argue, every Australian surfer’s dream.

That’s not to say lineups are now uncrowded. But they certainly look more relaxed.

It’s not just the perfect waves that have convinced some Australians to stay in Bali though. As Ryan told the Sydney Morning Herald, the cost of living is another factor in the decision: “I could live in Bali for another six months easily without working.”

“Rent is cheaper here, living expenses are cheaper and I am not picky. I can eat any Indonesian food. A small bottled water in Australia could cost 10 times [what it does] in Bali; a simple dish like fried rice or whatever could cost you $10 a plate” compared to as little as $1 in Bali.”

Unless you’re already over there though, don’t hold your breath on being able to go any time soon.

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Perfect waves with a festive vibe on the beach.⁣ ⁣ A classic Sunday sunset session at Bingin a couple of weeks ago.

A post shared by Surfers of Bali (@surfersofbali) on Jul 27, 2020 at 8:01pm PDT

smarttraveller.gov.au has issued the following in respect to Australians thinking of travelling: “There’s a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.”

“If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, we continue to encourage you to plan your travel home. However, be prepared for possible delays.”

“When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View individual State and Territory Government information,” smarttraveller.gov.au adds.

Read Next

• I Tried Bali’s Instagram Famous Floating Breakfast & It Was A Total Disaster
• The Refreshing Truth About Bali’s Most Instagram Famous Oasis

The post Uncrowded Surfing Spots In Bali, Thanks To The Pandemic appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

He’s the hero soccer deserves, as well as the one it needs right now: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most exciting and entertaining personalities in modern professional football.

The imitable Swede is not only known for his prowess on the field, but also for his larger-than-life persona. It’s hard to tell how much of Zlatan’s outrageous ego is just an act or if he’s genuinely just a narcissist, but the brash A.C. Milan striker has undoubtedly drawn scores of new fans to the game over the years. He’s a captivating figure: people want to see what he’s going to say next, or which goalkeeper is next on his chopping block.

Such a heroically egotistical man naturally requires a statement-making automobile, and Ibrahimovic’s latest ride perfectly suits his personality. Docking in Porto Cervo, a stunning seaside resort town in Sardinia, Zlatan hopped off a superyacht into his new Lamborghini Urus SUV, a beast of a car that seems like the perfect ‘Zlatmobile’.

Keeping his cool while being mobbed by fans, ‘Ibra’ stopped briefly to sign some jerseys and then made a quick getaway in his new ride.

The Lamborghini Urus has proven to be one of the most successful models for the Italian sports car manufacturer in recent memory. Despite weighing in at 2,200kg, the Urus makes a healthy 478kW and 850Nm from its 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 – it’s not your average Toorak tractor.

Lamborghini’s current design language emphasises sharp angles and aggressive air intakes, which has led many observers to compare the Urus to the ‘Tumbler’, the aggressive Humvee-esque incarnation of the Batmobile from the 2008 Batman film The Dark Knight. We’d imagine that Zlatan would quite like the Batman comparison.

Zlatman and Robben pic.twitter.com/MsC88CNYhC

— Richard Swarbrick (@RikkiLeaks) January 31, 2017

There’s been speculation as to whether Zlatan will pen another deal with his current club A.C. Milan or whether he’ll leave San Siro for greener pastures abroad. Buying an Italian car and holidaying in the Mediterranean, however, would seem to send a message that he’s quite happy staying in Italy for the time being.

Read Next

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic Works Out In The Most Expensive Gym You’ll See This Week
• Justin Bieber’s Latest Lamborghini SUV Could Have This Summer’s Coolest Custom Wrap
• I Took A $400,000 SUV To A $2 Bunnings Sausage Sizzle & This Is What I Discovered

The post Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Lamborghini Urus Is A Winner appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Greg Norman is rippling proof your golden years don’t have to come with a sloppy rig, or a substandard putting and driving game. To the contrary: Norman’s transition from golf superstar to casually ripped 65-year-old proves that – even though you might not have the muscle mass of your twenties, you don’t have to let yourself go as you age.

The Great White Shark’s experimental fitness attitude (the Sydney Morning Herald once likened him to Gwyneth Paltrow), however, can today take a back seat to his playing technique – and how he reached such incredible levels of performance.

Why? Norman recently provided a sneak peek into his golf bag, along the way revealing an old club from his PGA days which could be the secret to his success. In the video, posted on Sunday by leading club and golf equipment manufacturer Cobra Golf, Norman tells us, “There are a lot of clubs in here… [but] probably the most unique thing would be this golf club here.”

“[It’s a] driver made out of laminated… no insert, very heavy.”

“It’s actually short in comparison to my Speed Zone driver that I use all the time,” Norman adds, telling us “the head is minuscule and the length is 3.5 inches shorter than the regular driver.”

 

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Ever wonder what the shark has in the bag? We suggest you stick around and watch this one. #SPEEDZONE

A post shared by COBRA Golf (@cobragolf) on Aug 15, 2020 at 9:25am PDT

It doesn’t always stack up short though: the thing is 6-8 times heavier than a regular driver, Norman says.

Norman then shares why he still slings such a heavy club around: “Why do I have it in there? This is what I practiced with all the time when I was on the tour.”

“I hit hundreds and hundreds of balls with this golf club to allow me to get my extension and my timing. That really built up my upper body muscles, my lats; my core. This old club really taught you how to slow down with your timing and get impact. Obviously, it doesn’t go very far, but I used it all the time.”

Norman also took the chance to show off his stretching pole, which he’s also travelled the world with for a very long time, and which may be another little insight aspiring golfers can learn from too: “I start my exercises [with this pole] every day – stretching my back, stretching my shoulders, my lats.”

The perfect (pain-free) swing awaits.

Read Next

• Greg Norman’s Latest Workouts Reveal How To Stay Ripped In Your 60s
• Golf Apparel Brands That Will Make You The Sharpest Guy On The Green

The post Greg Norman’s Favourite Golf Club Could Be The Secret To Improving Your Game appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When it comes to making style upgrades, there are obvious moves such as teaming clean, minimalist sneakers with chinos or well-fitting jeans. If you’re wearing similar shades, you could experiment with various materials and textures, and of course, there’s the watch your wear on the wrist.

But these upgrades do require some train of thought. For outright simplicity, you can’t go wrong with this $50 Miansai rope bracelet. Miansai is a Miami-based jewellery brand founded by Michael Saiger in 2008, that has quickly become a tour de force within the world of jewellery, particularly for its men’s collections.

We’re well aware that for some time, the idea of men wearing jewellery was frowned upon, but those days are well in the past, and if you’re looking to make your first steps into accessorising, Miansai is a brand you need to know.

Case in point is this bungee rope bracelet, which can be had in any of three colours: black, cobalt blue or off-white with red and blue detailing. The two ends are connected by one hand-casted sterling silver flat bead, which serves to make it incredibly easy to adjust the size of the bracelet to fit your wrist.

The slim nature of the rope that’s used means it isn’t in your face, making it perhaps the most subtle and simple style upgrade you’ll find this year.

But The Miansai Orson Pull Bungee Rope Bracelet $50

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• The Best Men’s Jewellery Brands To Buy Right Now
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The post This $50 Miansai Bracelet Is The Simplest Style Upgrade You'll Find This Year appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Actress, MMA fighter, producer, bikini model, entrepreneur and now stunt driver… Is there anything Sydney Sweeney can’t do?The 22-year-old star of Euphoria, The Handmaid’s Tale and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one of the most exciting up-and-coming on-screen talents of 2020. We’ve written before about her racy social media presence (and how it acts as a litmus test for the woeful state of men’s pick up game), but now she’s made headlines for an altogether different sort of racing.Yesterday Sweeney alongside fellow actress and gymnast Jayde Emory burned some rubber at the Porsche Experience Centre in Los Angeles, the newest graduates of their new young drivers’ program.

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A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney) on Aug 17, 2020 at 12:20pm PDT

Behind the wheel of a bright yellow 992 Carrera S, Sweeney got some sideways action practicing controlled drifts and 360 spins on wet tarmac, as well as some traffic cone slaloms and braking exercises. Sweeney managed to control the 331kW monster without breaking a sweat.While you’re unlikely to find a defensive driving course quite as glamorous as Porsche’s LA experience, Sweeney’s shown wisdom beyond her years that you ought to emulate.Taking a driving course like this, no matter how long you’ve been driving, is an excellent idea. For novice drivers, it’s important to know how to control your vehicle in challenging conditions like heavy rain, and for experienced drivers, it’s a great refresher.What have you got to lose?

Read Next

• Australian Car Enthusiasts Set To Go Wild For European-Inspired ‘Super Alpine 500’ Thredbo Rally
• Australian L-Plater Spotted Driving World’s Fastest First Car… & It’s Surprisingly Legal

The post Sydney Sweeney Reinforces ‘Dream Girl’ Status With Porsche Stunt appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We all want something we’ve bought to last as long as possible, right? It’s certainly true when it comes to footwear as it can be incredibly easy and, to be honest, recommended, that you spend as much as your budget allows on a decent pair of dress shoes or boots. But with daily wear, naturally, comes a greater risk of the soles wearing down or the leather becoming tired and too slack. We imagine your initial thought is simply to throw them out or donate them to an op-shop, and simply buy something new.However, with so many shoe repair shops and cobblers in Sydney, rejuvenating your tired footwear can be a much better option. Not only do you get to keep your prized shoes or boots (they may have sentimental value, after all) but repairing them will be a lot more affordable than heading out and buying a new pair.And, you may think that shoe repair shops are simply for leather and suede dress shoes and boots, but on the contrary, if you have a pair of sneakers that you’re particularly fond of, but they too take a beating and are holding on by their last thread, a good shoe repair store can bring them back to life too.We’ve rounded up the very best shoe repair stores and cobblers in Sydney for you to add to your umbrella list of best repair stores in the city.

Roger Shoe Repairs

Address:

88 Redfern Street, Redfern, 2016

Phone:

02 9319 5420

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 7am – 6pmSaturday: 8am – 2pmSunday: ClosedAs Roger says in his store, “if the shoe fits, repair it”. Never a truer word spoken. If your favourite pair of shoes are on their death bed, Roger will give them a new lease on life. No repair is too big or small for Roger, and he strives to repair them while you wait. If the repair requires a bit more work, then he’ll still aim to have them fixed as soon as humanly possible. He’s quite possibly the very best shoe repairer in all of Sydney.

Michael’s Shoe Repair

Address:

Shop 7, 55-73 Oxford Street, Oxford Village, Surry Hills, 2010

Phone:

02 8958 7971

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8am – 5.30pmSaturday: 9am – 4.30pmSunday: ClosedHave a pair of RM Williams Chelsea boots that need a little TLC? Michael’s is the place to go. The store has been specialising in repairing the iconic Australian footwear for nearly 40 years, so certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to giving them a thorough service to ensure they last a lifetime. Michael’s is also the place to go to for sneaker restorations, including changing the colour of the sole.

Cobbler Caballero

Address:

Shop 8, 25 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross, 2011

Phone:

0403 282 990

Opening Hours:

Monday: 8.30am – 5.30pmTuesday – Friday: 8am – 6pmSaturday: 10am – 4pmSunday: ClosedCobbler Caballero is run by enthusiast Chilean Andres Miranda. A “cobbler for as long as he can remember”, Andres has the skills and expertise to repair any pair of shoes you bring him. That includes your other half’s high heels too, as he’s a certified “stiletto specialist”. While you’re there, you can have your watch pressured tested, your keys cut, knives sharpened and jewellery and ID tags engraved. Cobbler Caballero is your one-stop cobbler in Sydney.

SoleHeeled

Address:

Shop 1A, Martin Place Railway Station, 3 Martin Place, Sydney, 2000

Phone:

0404 800 111

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 7am – 6pmSaturday – Sunday: ClosedCity workers rejoice, SoleHeeled is well-positioned in Martin Place station to take care of all your shoe repair needs. No matter which part of your shoe needs repairing, whether it be the heel, the inner lining, insoles or elastic, to name a few, SoleHeeled is more than capable of fixing it. However, despite the central location, SoleHeeled can easily repair the shoes of anyone in Australia, no matter how rural, by way of a free shipping program. You can place an order for a repair via the website, send them off and then receive them back at home or work via post. Shoe repairs just got updated for the 21st century.

Mister Minit QVB

Address:

Shop 15B QVB, 455 George Street, Sydney, 2000

Phone:

02 9261 1899

Opening Hours:

Monday – Wednesday: 8am – 6pmThursday: 8am – 9pmFriday: 8am – 6pmSaturday: 9am – 6pmSunday: 11am – 5pmSo Mister Minit might not have the timely heritage and oldy worldy feels of an independent shoe repairer, but you shouldn’t let that put you off paying them a visit. The majority of shoe repairs can be carried out while you wait, although, being in a prime shopping location, you may as well go find yourself a new pair of white sneakers or perhaps a suit while you’re there. Mister Minit also offers an overnight scratch and polish repair service that is essentially the shoe version of a deluxe spa treatment.

Mario’s Shoe Service

Address:

109 Pitt Street, Sydney, 2000

Phone:

0409 652 535

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 7.30am – 2.30pmSaturday – Sunday: ClosedIf local and independent is for you, however – you can certainly build up a rapport with the owner – then check out Mario’s Shoe Service. A man who loves to keep shoes looking their absolute best, Mario knows all the tricks of the trade to bring your tired old boots back to life. If your dress shoes or boots have a Goodyear welt on them, he’s more than capable of repairing these too and will replace them with official Goodyear rubber. Perfectly located in the centre of town, Mario is the man to know.

Baxter & Black

Address:

20 Enmore Road, Newtown, 2042

Phone:

02 9519 0316

Opening Hours:

Monday: ClosedTuesday – Friday: 10am – 7pmSaturday: 10am – 5pmSunday: 12pm – 5pmWe could just let the reviews of Baxter & Black speak for themselves, such is their positivity. Run by Nathan Baxter, an Artisan Cobbler, Baxter & Black is one of the finest shoe repair stores in Sydney. Positioned outside of the CBD, but worth the trip, the store can repair any type of sole, elastic gusset and lace hooks, to name a few of the services. Baxter & Black specialises in RM Williams and Christian Louboutin, but ultimately, any luxury pair of shoes or boots will be seen with expert care and attention.

Manly Cobblers

Address:

Shop 9, 22 Central Avenue, Manly, 2095

Phone:

02 9977 2997

Opening Hours:

Monday: 8am – 5.30pmTuesday – Friday: 8.30am – 5.30pmSaturday: 8am – 1pmSunday: ClosedIf you live over the bridge then no need to make a journey into the CBD for your shoe repair needs, simply head to Manly Cobblers in, you guessed it, Manly. Manly Cobblers has been repairing the soles of Northern Beach shoes for eight years, and has been under the ownership of Nick Pascuzzo for the duration. He himself has been repairing shoes since the tender age of 14 and was trained in Italy for 20 years. He’s a man you can trust with your most loved shoes, then. He uses high-quality materials for all repairs, including Italian leather and Spanish rubber.

Save My Sole Shoe Repairs

Address:

1A George Street, Mortdale, 2223

Phone:

0402 689 668

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 9am – 4pmSaturday: 9am – 1pmSunday: ClosedSouthern Sydney is also home to its fair share of shoe repair shops, but Save My Sole stands out from the crowd for its quality customer service and fair pricing. The shop is run by master repairman Dennis, who lets you know you exactly what needs to be done to your shoes and how he intends to fix them, which includes being able to repair shoe brands including Loake and Windsor.

Sydney Shoe Repair Shops FAQ

Read Next

• A Guide To Sydney’s Best Men’s Shoe Stores
• The Best Watch Repair Shops In Sydney To GiveHowe Your Timepiece Some TLC
• Best Sneaker Stores In Sydney

The post Best Shoe Repair Stores & Cobblers In Sydney For Long-Lasting Footwear appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

As a general rule of thumb, cars are a depreciating asset. The vast majority of vehicles that are sold in this country (or anywhere, really) are not destined to become ‘future classics’. However, if you’re clever (or lucky) enough to come across something that’s become a worthwhile investment, you could stand to make a pretty penny.Scarcity, historical significance and performance all play a part in determining whether a car’s likely to keep its value, but it’s nigh impossible to predict what the next future classic will be. For example, the third-generation Toyota Land Cruiser: if you told someone in the 70s that the humble ‘FJ’ would be considered a classic in 2020, they’d tell you to pull the other one. But the once-commonplace, utilitarian 4×4 is now hot property. Good examples regularly fetch in excess of 40,000 AUD, with prices for the venerable FJ even crazier in markets like the US where they were less common.RELATED: This Toyota Land Cruiser Advert Could Be The Most Hilarious We’ve Ever SeenSuccess stories like these make the sting of depreciation even harsher. Any punter who decides to ‘invest’ in a new BMW 7 Series will soon find out those models on average depreciate by an eye-watering 61% in the first three years. With that in mind, how do you pick a classic (or at least a car that’s not going to tank in value the second you’re handed the keys)?DMARGE spoke exclusively to Carsales Editor-in-Chief Mike Sinclair and RedBook.com.au General Manager Ross Booth who shared some valuable insights.“Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder and so is what defines a classic,” Sinclair relates.“Something that defines a category, starts a trend, was the first or last of a line, they’re all factors. Storied brands and badges. And cars that just get it right – the NA Series Mazda MX-5 is literally a classic example.”“But there are other cars that were pretty horrible to drive and live with that still tick the boxes – The Moke for instance…”

 

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A more rational methodology for predicting potential future classics is considering the macroeconomics of the car market, Booth explains.“Vehicles that are investment gems tend to have very high demand and very low supply which pushes up the price,” Booth says.“A vehicle may not be the most popular sold as new and sold in volume, however, over many, many years scarcity can drive the price up. If you don’t want to wait 30+ years, look for popular brands and segments today, with vehicles with low supply and high demand. The condition and low kilometres are paramount in a future investment vehicle.”A good example of a vehicle that was a commercial failure upon release but is now hot property is the iconic DeLorean DMC-12. Its poor build quality, weak on-road performance and high sticker price made it a flop, but has since gained a cult following thanks to its distinctive look and high-profile appearances in the Back To The Future film series. Almost 40 years after its first release, this example is selling for $88,000 on Carsales in NSW.Changing consumer preferences will be key in determining what will be the next ‘classic cars‘. For example, SUVs and utes are accounting for an ever-higher percentage of Australian car sales, with the passenger segment declining – particularly sedans. As way of an example, here’s a prediction: The Kia Stinger and VF Holden Commodore stand a good chance of keeping a high resale value well into the future.The VF Commodore, the penultimate incarnation of the famous large car, was the last Holden model to be made in Australia, something else that will increase its desirability. It was also the last Holden to be offered with a V8. Normally, brands leaving the market tend to reduce resale values, but Holden’s unique identity as the quintessentially Australian brand could mean that surviving Aussie-built models could be worth squillions in coming years. Case in point: this 1969 Holden Monaro just sold for $715,000.Conversely, the Stinger is the first of its line, which can also potentially boost its resale value. It may be the only in its line if Kia don’t make a second generation, which could also help (or hinder). Korean and Japanese marques also tend to keep their resale value better than other brands – another pro for the Stinger.Both cars are large sedans: a dying breed in the Australian car market. High-specced versions of these cars would be a safe bet for resale value heroes, and could potentially become considered classic in a few decades’ time.

 

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DMARGE also spoke exclusively with Marty from The Motor Tailor, a Sydney-based enterprise that specialises in restoring and dealing in classic cars, who says that the emotional factor is incredibly important when it comes to classic cars.“People in their thirties or forties are now looking for their dream cars from their teens, now that they have a bit of money. For example, the R32 Skyline.”While Gen X might have had posters of Lamborghini Countaches or BMW M1s on their bedroom wall, the kind of cars millennials idolised as kids – Mazda RX-7 FDs, Ford Mustang SVT Cobras or Honda Integra Type Rs – are becoming hot property. Even now, those models are becoming cost-prohibitive.Trends in the Australian classic car market in particular tend to trail trends in Europe and the US, Martin relates. For example, the the first-ever BMW M3 (the E30), long-fêted in the Northern Hemisphere, has become the flavour of the month Down Under.“The E30 M3 has become incredibly popular in Europe, and that popularity is trickling down here. It’s amplified because the E30 M3 was never officially sold here… The E30 325is is picking up in value, because it was the best E30 available in Australia.”Marty’s pick for the next future classic would be the E36 M3 for similar reasons.“People who’ve found they can’t afford an E30 M3 or even an E30 will start looking towards the E36 M3 instead. You can still find them for $20-30k, but that might change soon.”

 

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At the end of the day, you shouldn’t look at buying a car purely for investment reasons. Cars are meant to be enjoyed, and while you stand the chance of potentially making a lot of money if the stars align and you find a future classic, there’s far less risky investments one can make.Just because a car is unlikely to increase or even hold its value shouldn’t be the main determining factor in whether you decide to buy it. Buy a car because you enjoy it, not because you think it’s going to be worth something or because other people have deemed it desirable.Marty’s final words?“There comes a point in every car’s life where they stop depreciating… Eventually.”So you never know… Maybe that dinged-up Corolla in the garage will be worth something someday.

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The post Future Collectable Cars: How It’s Done appeared first on DMARGE Australia.