BARRY’S TURNING JAPANESE
Why a classic specialist is looking East for low-mileage luxury stock
A classic car dealer has discovered an unexpected new source of pristine low mileage luxury classics – Japan.
Barry Bowman, of Burton-on-Trent-based Exclusive Classic Cars has already imported five V12 Series III Daimler Double Sixes, and says this could rise to 20 over the next year. ‘I have exported cars to Japan and have a contact there who puts potential buyers in touch. It was he who told me about these low mileage cars. They’re all original and usually have had only one owner,’ he says.
As well as Daimlers, Barry is planning to import Cadillacs and other prestige marques, but he advises anyone planning to do likewise to exercise extreme caution. ‘I’m fortunate that I have someone who can inspect cars for me and produce an engineer’s report,’ he explains. ‘Japan has extremely strict MoT regulations and cars have to be garaged, so their condition tends to be good. However there are also some terrible cars out there.’
Barry is offering the Daimlers with a new MoT and full service. They are UK registered on sale. Cars in stock include two 1990 examples, one with 55,000 miles at £8995 and the other, a 37,000 miler for £11,995. A 19,000 mile 1992 car in British Racing Green is £13,995.
‘The Japanese went through a phase when they went for the Daimler Double Six rather than Jaguars. But by all accounts many Japanese people don’t want to buy a secondhand car even if it is a classic,’ adds Barry, a lifelong old-car enthusiast who set up Exclusive 23 years ago.
He says there is one further matter to consider. ‘These Daimlers have arrived in excellent condition – and if looked after those V12 engines should be good for 30,000 miles. Only one point – the cars take three months to get here.’