The Big Story
Motoring book sellers’ trade bounces back
Specialist sellers of motoring books have reported a boom in sales as classic fans have looked for alternative ways to enjoy their hobby during lockdown.
It comes as the wider market for fiction and non-fiction books climbed seven per cent in 2020 and audio book sales jumped 37 per cent, but motoring booksellers say that classic fans have behind a surge in orders for specialist titles.
Chaters’ motoring bookseller in Hook, Hampshire, has seen a dramatic increase in sales, very much mimicking the demand for actual physical classics during the lockdown period. Managing director, Clive Stroud, says: ‘Sales went crazy last March and we were doing two to three times the amount of business we usually would. New one-make books did well because a lot of good books were published in 2020, and they are still doing well, while out-of-print titles have performed extremely well.’
Ben Horton of Horton’s Books reports a ‘ huge upturn’ in online sales, with Christmas purchases starting in October and running well into February.
He says: ‘Prior to lockdown it was all about single marque or even single model books, but now we sell books from all areas of interest and motor sport of all kinds has been particularly popular.
‘As far as one marque books go, all marques seem to be popular at the moment. I hear that classic car sales have been strong and this could be down to future potential customers doing some research.’
Simon Lewis, who is based in the Forest of Dean, also saw sales increase as the lockdown took hold. He says: ‘The last 12 months has been good and for many classic enthusiasts the best thing has been to read a book. We’ve been going along well over the last 12 months and books are doing well, especially those that tell a good story.
‘Marque histories and biographies are very popular and I’m selling titles that have previously sat on the shelves for a few years. I’ve recently sold three copies of LJK Setright’s The Grand Prix Car and three copes of Racing The Silver Arrows.’
That competition thread has also been seen at Chaters where, Clive Stroud reports increased demand for books covering the classic motor sport eras, the Formula One
Car By Car series apparently seeing particularly buoyant sales.
While books continue to be popular magazine sales have slowed and brochures remain popular only with enthusiasts preferring to buy in large quantities rather than individually. One area where growth is notable is with photographs, with dealer Andrew Currie reports sales taking off with buyers going online because there are no shows or autojumbles being held.
He says: ‘Most are going to mainland Europe and demand is so great that they’re selling pretty much as soon as I advertise them.’