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Sad tales of classic hoarders
The news of a stash of classics languishing in a field to be sold (CCW, 3 May) is another one of those stories of good intent and a familiar case of hoarding where ultimately most will be beyond redemption.
Over my 28 years of working with classic cars in the US and UK I have come across so much prevarication in similar mass collections of classics as with this stash. Where often owners will not part with anything and so often the word ‘restore’ is used but never happens.
I have crossed paths with one man who owned 72 MGs parked in a Florida field. He would not sell me one but did strangely enough sell me a 1959 Turner. Or Ed who had 48 Studebakers but wouldn’t let one go and then died. His daughters, who had no interest in cars, then called in the scrappers.
There was another who had a building the size of a football field full of British classics and parts. I wanted to buy the US import Morris Minor van sitting in his field but he said he would rather sell his house. Here in the UK I know of an individual with eight lockups and a house full of classic car parts, and getting him to sell anything can often be a flip of a coin. Goodness knows what will happen with all his stock when it is time.
For most it is hoarding and where they know they have what people want and will talk the talk about them – but with no real intention of doing what they tell you.
Local hero
The item on the boot lid of the Minor Convertible in The Way Were (CCW, 3 May) is probably a badge (or two) stating the county or country where the car owner lives. These were an upmarket version of the pennant stickers usually applied to rear windows but which would not adhere very well on the flexible convertible window.
They consisted of a coat of arms and name of the area in a stronger frame that were stuck to the bodywork. Due to the location and registration of the Minor they perhaps read Lancash
