Auction View
Historics looks to continue its growth
Edward Bridger-Stille
How did the first Historics 2017 sale perform?
Year-on-year, our business ethics, experience and knowledge have been the rock upon which we have consistently produced above-average results. The March sale this year surpassed our own expectations, and bucked the trend further still, with 84 per cent sold. The climate that affects the appetite for buying will, of course, always be a strong influence on performance but I believe our results from March were proof, if any were needed, that professional dealing with total transparency, carefully consigned motor cars, great customer service and prompt posting of results is the correct way to operate, and brings dividend.
What is the reasoning behind going to Ascot? After all, it isn’t far from Brooklands and it has been used by other auctioneers.
Since opening our doors to the first Historics auction back in 2010, we have scheduled four auctions a year at Brooklands, which is, and remains, our home. At the close of 2016, we were encouraged to consider hosting a fifth auction this year, having listened to comments from our clients and wider supporters, whose opinions we greatly value. When considering a venue, we were of course conscious of past classic auctions at Ascot Racecourse, but actually made a judgement based on how we believed it suited our DNA, reflected our logistical requirements, answered the needs of our buyers and sellers and echoed our image and personality.
What is your plan regarding Ascot: to return next year? And if so, more than once a year?
Regular visitors to our sales at Brooklands – both the museum and Mercedes-Benz World – will hopefully appreciate that we focus on delivering the best opportunity for our clients wherever we hold a sale, and are constantly tweaking elements to do things even better. And Historics is growing: We have a brand new head office complex and showroom and a team that’s growing. We are ambitious and keen to develop further. With that backdrop, we are confident that we have the best opportunity of success at Ascot Racecourse and we’ll be in a good position to consider future plans.
How many sales would you ideally have in a year? Is it ‘just right’ now?
This is our first time with five sales in a year, so it’s too early to say. The classic market is very fluid and what is right now may not be so in the future, so we will keep an open mind at this point.