The big story
Motorsport history and classic values
Le Mans provenance might have helped to push a Triumph TR2 to a world price record ( CCW, 20 November), but market experts have said that even appearances at entry-level motorsport events can help to boost a classic’s value.
There are club-organised sprints, hillclimbs, trials and races up and down the country almost every weekend. Those cars might not have the media exposure and glamour of those in international events, but there’s still big interest when a car with club competition history comes to market. Brightwells’ Matthew Parkin, who himself regularly takes part in Vintage Sports Car Club ( VSCC) trial events, said: ‘ Well-known cars only become so due to exposure, and much of this is down to grassroots activity.
‘A car with that history, even if it is in VSCC trialling or 750 Motor Club racing, has a proven track record that can fire all sorts of adventures in the mind of a prospective buyer.
‘It probably won’t make a huge difference to value but is much more likely to result in a good sale, and from an auction point of view an extra bid or two. At the end of it, most car values come down to usability, so if a car has a proven ability in any area, then its value will be relatively strong.’
Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions’ Brian Chant said that buyers often take a positive view of a car’s motorsport history, due to the fact that their use
– and maintenance – is welldocumented. He said: ‘Cars with a club motorsport history are rarely concours, but make up for this in their mechanical status.
‘The fact that they spend time on circuits means that they have to be up together mechanically all the time so corners are never cut on maintenance.
‘It’s a win-win for the next owner, who gets a car with pedigree and often with the touches that make it both reliable and more able in modern traffic.’