Classicmobilia e’News Issue 96 September 2018
The end of September usually marks a slow-down period for the classic car world but, according to my diary, we still have a large number of events and auctions to attend right through to the end of the year.
September itself has been a challenge, in terms of keeping up with events and auctions: remembering all of the special cars rolling over the block is a real mission if, like we do, you track down their history and previous achievements (sometimes going further back than official records….).
Prestigious events usually call for great cars and fine collectors to be matched, and this month did not disappoint, with three different appointments during one weekend, all over the UK and all very well attended.
Good attendance would point at a buoyant classic car market, yet some of the September auction results were not that impressive.
Our friends over the pond in Monterey recorded some very good figures over their customary weekend, with some record-breaking numbers for special motorcars.
However, back in the UK, a surprisingly low turnout and even more surprisingly poor results from a London auction were recorded, although three days later the usual successful story that is the Goodwood Revival gave the expected good show from an (always) busy auction there.
There is no fool-proof reason why results differ so dramatically; it could just be that the market is saturated, with too many auctions taking place. Unfortunately, the press sometimes tends to translate that into a gloom-and-loom perception of a slowing-down market.
As the media are responsible for influencing punters and enthusiasts alike, we were pleased to notice that media reports are starting to include information such as the condition of the cars being offered, therefore giving a more accurate reflection of what is out there. It is insane to expect both good and poor examples fetch top dollar!
Again, we have had wind of many cars being offered under the radar, and collectors and investors alike are very sensitive to what is being offered and its availability when it’s not advertised.
It is easy to Google what any car sold for, in a previous life, and that is what buyers are judging the market on. Unfortunately, it is not always that simple: we at Classismobilia have some very fine vehicles under consignment, which we are not allowed to advertise openly. As we have a very wide circle of international contacts, discretion seems the best way of keeping the right collectors and investors aware of what’s hidden.
If you would like to discuss the selling or purchasing of a classic car, please do not hesitate to contact us here at Classicmobilia.
Happy motoring
Keith
