Finger on the pulse of the auction, dealer and private markets
Industry experts say that the pre-war segment offers great value for buyers prepared to take the plunge. The challenge is getting them back on trend…
The market for pre-war cars is certainly not buoyant but it is still there for the right cars, market experts have told Classic Car Weekly.
A shrinking pool of potential owners and a lack of knowledge across the wider classic market means that there is slower demand for pre-1940 classics than there was five or ten years ago, with demand for the Austin Seven and other cars eligible for Vintage and Sports Car Club (VSCC) events among the few exceptions to the rule.
Brightwells’ Matthew Parkin said: ‘It is influenced by fashion and there are some hotspots, but not many, says ‘Austins are good sellers but at quite a bit less than they were. Likewise, Ford Model As and earlier Bentleys. Light cars of the 1920s can be good if they are either particularly feeble, quirky or unusual (fashion again) but late 1930s saloons of modest power are virtual give-aways.’
Southern Cars’ Sam Grange-Bailey believes the problem lies in how to make pre-war cars seem on trend. ‘I find pre-war cars a worry, with a dwindling fan base and a decreasing pool of tradesmen to look after them. I fear they are becoming forgotten. Commercially it’s a tough arena to operate in.
‘However, what does interest me, sells well, and I think might be the future of keeping the pre-war love alive, are the likes of the Austin Seven. They’re affordable to buy and maintain, a load of fun to drive and there’s a vibrant scene, with everything from scrambles to hillclimbs and specific general meets and shows to welcome you with open arms. The key for me is two-fold: we need to keep pre-war cars viable as affordable hobby cars and to draw the next generation in. How do we make pre-war cool?’
The problem that has dogged pre-war cars for many years is that the fanbase is dwindling, says H&H’s Damian Jones.
‘As a sweeping generalisation, the market for pre-WW2 cars is in decline if only because the generation who have hitherto truly understood and appreciated them are heading to that great scrapyard in the sky. There are exceptions when it comes to those pre-WW2 cars which are eligible for internationally prestigious events such as the Mille Miglia, Le Mans Classic
