Back to the future
Demand for Eighties and Nineties cars grows
The market for modern classics is growing thanks to a generation of 40- and 50-somethings with a little cash, and a lot of time, on their hands. First time classic owners are also deciding to take the plunge according to a survey by the Car & Classic website.
Site visits are up 30 per cent with many, new to the classic car world, searching. Keith Adams, who runs the Classic Cars for Sale website, told PC: ‘The lockdown has had an interesting effect. Classic values are rising across the board for more affordable classics, as it’s clear that those who are in regular and stable employment have more disposable income to spend on big ticket items that make them feel good in uncertain times.’
Car & Classic CEO, Tom Wood, offered some further thoughts: ‘Eighties and Nineties cars make perfect sense for the first-time classic buyer. They are practical and easy to drive and, thanks to good survival rates and platform sharing, they also enjoy reasonable parts availability.
‘Even the manufacturers, usually focused on shifting new metal, are remanufacturing parts for older cars; Peugeot has a growing catalogue for the 205 and even Lancia has dug out and refurbished the original tools to remake Integrale bumpers.’
‘We saw sharp rises in search traffic for the Classic Cars for Sale site during both 2020 lockdowns,’ said Keith Adams. ‘I expect to see this continue in 2021.’
classiccarsforsale.co.uk, carandclassic.co.uk