Great classics to invest in

With the bank of England Base Rate remaining at its historic 0.5% low, many banks are unwilling to offer favourable savings rates to customers. These days you will be lucky to get 3% annual interest on a savings account. There's got to be a better way to invest, hasn't there?

Classic cars are the answer, or at least one answer that has given some fantastic returns, even in this economic climate. According to the new monthly V3 Report, a digest of what's going on in the classic car industry, there's money to be made by making the right choice and choosing the right time to buy and sell.

The big money is made by the high profile cars. Ferrari's charismatic F40 averaged £230,000 in 2006 auctions. By 2011 that had risen to £290,000. That's a good 10% annual increase, compounded.

The F40 is 25 years old in 2012, but there are more affordable anniversary cars this year too. The MGB, Lotus Elan and Triumph Spitfire each celebrate 50 years. Choose carefully ¬- and that means buying a fine car for no more the average price - and you could win too.

Here's a look at what's already been selling well in 2012, as food for thought.