Bread and butter

Usable Sixties and Seventies classics are on the rise

What’s your take on the current classic market?

My thoughts are that the marketplace is as buoyant as ever, but I feel that many vehicles have topped out a little and certain marques are correcting from their former dizzy heights. I feel that the market place for usable bread-and-butter classics is finally increasing in price finally – cars such as 1960s Rootes models, along with Morris and Vauxhall products. Also, the 1980s ‘hot hatch’ market continues to amaze me, results-wise.

What eras of cars are most popular with your buyers, and why is that?

The general consensus is that late‘70s and ‘80s cars really bring in the crowds, mainly because of many TV programmes and vehicles that were remembered by the buyers in their childhood, and that creates a cult following. E-types are still very soughtafter but prices seem to have levelled off a little. Morris Minors have seen a good increase in demand, and rubberbumper MGBs seem to be closing the gap on chrome-bumper examples.

What’s your take on modern classics?

Modern classics seem to be increasing in popularity due to the reliability and performance compared to their older competitors, and also the prices of many modern classics are below £3k, which can bag you a very clean vehicle that, if looked after, will always be money in the bank. I also believe that people are speculating on this sector to invest and store, as most want to be part of the next price push. people interested in pre-war vehicles; this is good to see, and is helping the market and prices. However, these seem trickier to get into sales because lots of people don’t actually want to part with them.

‘Late ‘70s and early ‘80s cars really bring in the crowds’

Are project cars still a crowdpleaser?

Project vehicles are very much in demand, mainly, I believe, fuelled by various TV restoration programmes! We had several in our May auction, including a Saab 99 Turbo and Triumph 2.5 PI that commanded three to four times their upper estimates. The next sale in July has already many examples booked in.