HOW THE UK AUCTION HOUSES ARE GEARING UP FOR CHANGE

Classic car auctions have been thin on the ground recently, with most sales postponed or cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic. But while social distancing rules mean traditional affairs in front of big crowds are unlikely to return in the near future, the UK’s classic auction houses have been busy adapting to suit a new normality – one that not only keeps them in operation, but satisfies strong demand from enthusiasts and traders.

For some, the transition has been relatively simple. H&H was one of the few businesses to keep its sales going as the virus peaked, hosting no fewer than four online sales after the Imperial War Museum barred public entry to its March 17th sale at the 11th hour. For H&H, the online framework was already in place as the company has been offering online bidding since 2008, with a bespoke platform developed in 2017. It also introduced live online- only sales in February 2019.

At Dorset auctioneer Charterhouse, staff have similarly demonstrated their flexibility, and the company’s next sale was scheduled to be an online- only affair just after this issue went to print. Moving south slightly to Poole, SWVA’s cancelled April sale will now be combined with the auction previously planned for July, creating a Summer Special Sale on June 26th. Almost a quarter of SWVA’s classic auction sales are made online already, so the sale will merely extend that, as well as including regular telephone and commission bidding.

Bigger changes are afoot for auction houses that don’t usually include online bidding. Mathewsons is famed for traditional sales in front of big crowds at Thornton- Le- Dale village hall, but sales will be behind closed doors for the foreseeable future. To facilitate this, it will now be offering online bidding for the first time in many years, using i- Bidder as a platform alongside its regular telephone and commission bidding.

Owner Derek Mathewson admits he’s not the greatest fan of online bidding. 'We did it twice a good number of years ago, and we didn’t like it,' he told our sister title, Classic Car Buyer. 'We like being hands-on with people bidding on the day, but it’s the only way we can go forward at the moment. i- Bidder actually dictates the increments of bidding and you have to stick to them all the way through. We love a bit of bartering, so it’s going to be really alien to us, but we’ll be alright. In two or three months’ time, we’re hoping to have our own set-up where people can bid live through our own website.'

But what about viewing? If social distancing is met, it’s feasible that private buyers can now view cars on a one-toone basis with extended viewing days and pre-booked appointments. For the moment though, it seems that most cars will be viewed ‘virtually’, which means that good images, honest descriptions and possibly video take on greater importance. Reassuringly for the industry, all four companies CCB spoke to are reporting very strong demand, coupled with positivity for what lies ahead. 'It’s a new challenge, and very exciting,' said SWVA's Chris Holmes. 'It’s no good burying your head in the sand, you’ve got to get at it.'