Dear Classic Car Enthusiast
We can sum up the general mood in the industry with a few sentences:
- Exciting times with dealers reporting bumper sales for the start of the year
- Mixed emotions from the auction houses sales
- Major concerns with European and UK sales, post-Brexit
- Restoration shop lead times creeping up
It has been refreshing to see UK and European dealers moving metal and sell some really nice motor cars in 2021 so far, so much so that some have reported being low on stock. This is encouraging for the future of the classic car market and demonstrates that the dealer network is holding strong.
We can report fresh stock being displayed throughout, with great, well documented history laid out: this is exciting and invigorating; let’s keep it going!
Auctions: recently we have witnessed real mixed emotions worldwide, the halls are generally fully stocked up by the majority of auction houses, but some are keeping the numbers down, going instead for sheer quality. The question is, which approach is paying off? And what is working for seller and buyer alike?
It seems in some instances that the seller is being pushed into lower reserve or NO reserve option, which could be risky in some cases.
We have noticed some real surprises and then, just a few days later, some real shocks, which begs the question, what the hell next? What is the market coming to (yet keeps punters and enthusiasts talking)? These instances and attitudes appear to have lifted the market overnight.
Someone has to win, and we all know the feeling of relief when it happens to you.
Brexit: we still need to keep trading in and out of Europe; we have gathered some quite shocking stories and very mixed reactions. We are not sure as to whether everybody is clear on this matter; the biggest concern is the custom officials, who are possibly the most confused among all parties … someone should enlighten them as to what is happening.
If you are concerned about the future of Brexit and business in general between the UK and Europe, let’s not forget that this is not an entirely new scenario for the veterans among us, with memories coming back of different ways to ‘massage’ the system to make it work in everyone’s favour.
It will work itself out (it always does) and in a couple of years we shall be talking about the good old times when we could just drive across the water without stopping and paying the gatekeeper (whoever that may be now).
It’s good to see reputable restoration companies doing well in these strange times, with lead times for work extending; you may find that it is becoming
increasingly difficult getting those little jobs booked in. On the other hand, it’s hard to believe how a few people can make life so difficult: as always, it will be a case of survival of the fittest, in the long run.
If you need assistance with buying or selling, looking for that hidden gem or wanting to part with your old, trusty classic, we can help. Do you need advice on importing/exporting cars from around the world, and registration processes? You know where we are. Thinking of restoration or just frustrated with the company you are using? Let’s talk.
The sun is starting to come out, bidding a happy motoring.
Keith
+44(0)1908 270672
+44(0)7889 805432
