HERITAGE IS BACK IN THE MEWS

Tucked away in London’s swishest borough is Heritage Classic, a ‘new’ dealer with superb history and pedigree

THERE’S A 60AYEARAOLD secret in London’s swish South Kensington that only car people know about. Tucked discreetly behind the bustling Old Brompton Road, full of cafés, restaurants, art galleries and shops, is quiet Kendrick Place in Reece Mews. One of the houses in this delightful cobbled mews was the long-time studio of internationally acclaimed artist Francis Bacon, for over three decades. It is also home to Erna Low Travel, the oldest ski holiday company in Britain, founded by Miss Erna Low in 1932. But for classic car enthusiasts and collectors it’s the motoring mews showroom of 60 years’ standing that is the main attraction, now housing Heritage Classic.

As with most mews, these quaint and quiet back streets behind the grand houses of central London served as stables for horses with grooms in attendance. With the arrival of the motor car in the early 20th Century, these mews became garages and workshops for the increasing numbers of limousines and sports cars for the wealthy aristocrats who lived the high life in high society. And Heritage Classic’s showroom and workshops at No. 6 Kendrick Place, Reece Mews, have been very much part of Britain’s love of the motor car since inception. One urban myth is that Kendrick Place served as an overspill garage for world Land Speed Record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird Garage on the nearby Kings Road. That’s now a well-known restaurant and cocktail bar. In the 1960s, No. 6 Kendrick Place was owned by gentleman farmer and racing driver Morris Stapleton, and then the garage moved on to wellknown Morgan racer and distributor Bill Wykeham.

Then Hexagon Classics took ownership of the famous location and a young fellow named Paul Giovanni, who served his apprenticeship at HR Owen and then worked at various manufacturers, joined the company in 2011. It changed to Sports Classics London in 2017, with Paul very much involved, and last month he relaunched Heritage Classic at the recently renovated site at No. 6 Kendrick Place. The sad reality is that precious few mews emporiums and showrooms remain in central London, where they used to be so ubiquitous. But as is traditional with bespoke British service on such famous streets as Bond Street, Savile Row or Jermyn Street, what better than to have the principal leading the company from the shop floor!

In this case, Paul Giovanni is your man in the mews; he grew up here and has been part of London’s classic car world for decades. ‘My father was in the car business in Knightsbridge when I was a child, so I started driving cars at about eight years old around this area,’ says Paul. ‘At 16 years old I went motor racing in single-seaters and saloons and went on to join HR Owen. I have been involved in the car business for decades and have been based at No. 6 Kendrick Place for over 11 years.’

Paul launched Heritage Classic with his business partner Gary Burke in May this year: ‘Gary has been very successful in the insurance business and has been a long-time client of mine for many years. He has a great passion for Aston Martins, and he liked the idea of Heritage Classic so much he bought the company! It helps that his sons are also passionate about classic cars. We have secured a ten-year lease on Kendrick Place and are planning for a long-term future. Our interests will include high-end motor cars and modern classics and we have funds in place to invest in top-quality stock. This is a British company with a great heritage but we will operate in the international market because we have particular experience in the Middle East, as well as Europe and America.

‘Here at Heritage Classic we offer the full range of services from consignment to finance and collection management,’ adds Paul. ‘One area where we are particularly strong is restoration and we will continue to offer our clients our experience and skills in this important area. We have many long-term clients who value our discreet service from the mews. They have been coming to South Kensington for many years and appreciate the continuity in such attractive surrounds.

‘Indeed, we had our launch party last month and so many friends and clients attended we finished off over 100 bottles of Bollinger! The overriding feeling is that confidence is growing and enthusiasts of all ages want to continue enjoying their classic and performance cars. Many guests said they were pleased to see us back – and yes, we are back, and Heritage Classic is here to stay!’