Dealer View Derek Mathewson, Mathewsons
Derek reckons that over-inflated values are fading
How has the year been sales-wise?
It’s been very encouraging with the eight sales so far being well attended and brisk bidding on quality lots. Nothing much changes in the motor trade, and originality is king; a mint unrestored example will often out-perform a really good restored example.
Did any sale perform especially well, and why was that?
We find early spring sales and December are our most successful – spring sales for those who wish to secure a particular classic for the approaching season and December for the multi-car collector who is infected with the buying disease and finds himself in desperate need of a winter fix!
What was the most expensive and best value cars you sold this year?
The most expensive vehicle we sold this year was a low mileage and ultragenuine Ferrari 308. The best value? MG TDs. We’ve sold several examples that weren’t immaculate, but could prove very usable with a little work for around £13,000. We were retailing similar but prepped examples 10 years ago nearer £20,000.
Would you hold a sale elsewhere?
We would love to hold a sale in our home area of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We would jump at the chance if the opportunity arose, especially in Bedfordshire, as we know many buyers and sellers from past years trading in and around the area.
What are your predictions for the 2018 market?
We’re all optimists at Mathewsons and are looking forward to a challenging and rewarding 2018. We believe falsely inflated values of somewhat upmarket vehicles will fall back to a more sensible, affordable level. Unsighted sales will prove more difficult for the misdescribed – and about time.
Do you see any cars coming into favour next year?
We consider Scimitar GTE values far too low at present. They are worth buying now before people realise what good value they represent. Also XJSs are surely a value for money supercar. It doesn’t take the brains of Churchill to come to the conclusion that they must close the gap on E-types.