‘Classic cars must have integrity’
Integrity is the most important single aspect of buying a classic car.
Custodian of one of the major classic car collections on the Garden Route, Brian Bruce, emphasises the point.
“Classic or vintage cars can generally be described as artefacts; rare objects from the past that are hand-made.
“And in the acquisition of these artefacts the process we follow needs to be rigorous,” Bruce said at the second annual HAGI (Historic Automobile Group International) VCCM (Value in the Classic Car Market) Conference in Sandton recently.
Bruce, of Knysna, cited the case of one of his favourite cars, a 1934 Jensen Ford prototype, one of three ever produced and one of only two that exist today.
“This car has total integrity. It came with all its original correspondence, invoices, documentation, and even advertising material from 1935, when the production Jensen Ford was produced.
“The car was bought by a man for his 18-year-old daughter, and since then it passed through three generations of daughters of the same family.
“The last custodian passed it on to her uncle, and when maintenance of the car became a problem, he contacted a mechanic who had last worked on the car in 1966.
“This man was an acquaintance of mine, which was how I ended up travelling to Hoedspruit to acquire the car.
“This car for me defines the concept of integrity, as regards to old motor cars.
“It is not in concours condition, but it is mechanically exceptional and original.
“Once a car has been modified, you cannot re-install integrity back into a car.”
Bruce cited examples of restorations he and his young team in Knysna have undertaken, operating out of the old Mitchells Brewery that he bought to house his burgeoning classic car collection.
He said he was always leery of buying a car that was purportedly “restored”, revealing two close associates had extensive restorations on their classic British sports cars undertaken, and were then forced to have all the work redone after the initial poor restorations totalled more than R1m.
Bruce refers to the oft-repeated saying in classic car circles that “we are mere custodians of these artefacts”.
But he pointed out that, in a changing world, enthusiasts would have to accept that certain classics would inevitably be modified and updated with modern mechanical elements.
“We refer to this process as re-purposing. It enables younger people to drive a classic with all the design beauty of the original, but with the reliability of a modern car.”
The focus of the conference was on the economic benefits of owning a classic car as a valuable, fast-appreciating asset.
Organiser Tommy Roes, however, emphasised value was a key focus of VCCM.
“Attendees are bound by their love for old and collectable cars that goes far beyond mere monetary value.
“We try to create a balance by addressing various aspects that influence value in an SA setting. Restoration, maintenance, storage, insurance, import/export and related subjects all play a major role in the financial aspect which cannot be ignored,” Roes said.
Classic Car Africa editor and publisher, Stuart Grant, said social media played a big role in certain modest classic cars appreciating massively in a short space of time.
Insurance mogul and classic car collector and race driver Paolo Cavalieri made an interesting case for classic racing cars as one of the best investments. “If you look at the highest values realised internationally at recent auctions, some 50% are racing cars,” he said.
Cavalieri pointed to SA’s rich racing heritage with players of world renown, among them 1979 World F1 Champion Jody Scheckter, Ferrari F1 designer Rory Byrne and McLaren designer Gordon Murray.
SA’s third HAGI VCCM Conference will take place in the first half of 2019, with details to be confirmed.
● For more information visit www.vccm.co.za