Classic car values

[lesapandre]

33 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

It’s always amazed me how these NOS panels and parts manage to keep turning up. 
I mean, many of them have been out of production for many decades so have been sat somewhere all that time. How? Why? 
Why would someone buy them and leave them unused like that. 
I had a load I bought when prices were lower ready to put on my Capri, but they stayed up in the loft for years before I did anything with them. They’ve all been used now of course but a pair of Capri wings aren’t exactly something that don’t take up much space!

Just seems really strange to me why they get kept and left for so long.

Imperfect stock control in the old days - Rootes had a massive store of obsolete parts going back years at one time - more of a 'make and mend do' on a lot of old car designs also meant manufacturers supplied a lot of repair materials that would not get sent out today, stuff sitting for years in dealers and overseas particularly with distributors.

[grogee]

46 minutes ago, lesapandre said:

I only accept camembert (none of yr new fangled twix)

I jest.

Yes very happy to...

BL Rover had a big following in France. Lots of the later cars still about or in barns.

Weirdly my Maestro spent quite a few years in south of France which (I think) slowed down the rot. It has these stickers in the windscreen. Some sort of Autoroute thing? 

[Shite Ron]

6 minutes ago, grogee said:

Weirdly my Maestro spent quite a few years in south of France which (I think) slowed down the rot. It has these stickers in the windscreen. Some sort of Autoroute thing? 

They look like Swiss vignette. They are for Swiss toll roads, I have them on some of my Cortina’s from our trips to Italy.

[inconsistant]

https://swiss-vignette.co.uk/product/swiss-vignette-2024/

You have to buy an annual Vignette to be able to use Swiss Motorways. It's a once a year fee of about £40-50 and allows you to use Swiss motorways unrestricted for that year.

They're for sale at border crossings and service stations near borders. They brought them in because the Swiss realised that a high proportion of Motorway traffic was not Swiss registered cars, and weren't even stopping in or travelling to Switzerland, just benefitting from the motorway network to get from one country to another via Switzerland. 

[lesapandre]

And as Switzerland is not in the EU - they can levy what is in effect annual car tax on their roads - flat rate once you have one - one trip or many.

Well travelled that Maestro - lived in SoF and annual trips in Switzerland.

Beats driving to Tesco in Purley.

[inconsistant]

On 15/02/2024 at 10:43, Hertz said:

I'm currently listening to Matthewson's in the background, prices seem to be on the low side. Interested in lot 325, could be the cheapest DB7 ever.

https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction/details/-february-classic-vehicles--memorabilia-auction/?au=61

 

https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-192---1996-rover-216-coupe/?lot=22279&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=61&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&pp=96&pn=2&g=1

 

If it's as nice IRL as in the photos this looks like great value. 1996 Rover 216 Coupe with 54,000 miles for £1800:

[brownnova]

On 14/02/2024 at 17:24, grogee said:

Interestingly even the smell of my Maestro interior took me back to 1986...

I couldn’t believe how as soon as I got into my current Nova the smell instantly took me back to my first Nova!

It’s an interesting thing with values. I’m about to get someone to do recommissioning jobs (although far from a full blown resto) on the Nova to get it roadworthy. I know it will likely exceed the value of the car, but with Nova values rising it might not for long. But I’m not too fussed. 

Part of the values debate comes down to the reasons for buying a car. If we buy to make a profit, then we’re likely to be disappointed. If we buy to enjoy then making a profit is only a bonus if we do. Part of that is to do with what is chosen. There are some wise buys out there. 

TL:DR buy classics with your heart not your head. 

[SiC]

A lot of old stuff is definitely getting cheaper. We've had lovely weather recently and Spring has definitely sprung. Summer feels like it's around the corner. 

But this reasonable condition usable Spitfire has just finished about an hour or so ago for just £2600! 2 years ago it would have been at least double that. Also means that my Spitfire I've probably currently lost a grand on it in 2yrs. Not terrible but I'm used to at least breaking even on classics!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286441411531
 

[straightSix]

On 30/03/2025 at 21:06, SiC said:

A lot of old stuff is definitely getting cheaper. We've had lovely weather recently and Spring has definitely sprung. Summer feels like it's around the corner. 

But this reasonable condition usable Spitfire has just finished about an hour or so ago for just £2600! 2 years ago it would have been at least double that. Also means that my Spitfire I've probably currently lost a grand on it in 2yrs. Not terrible but I'm used to at least breaking even on classics!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286441411531
 

On the plus side, whatever you replace it with will also have depreciated so it all kinda evens out somehow 😂

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Well, it’s a year later and I still haven’t bought anything! Mostly because prices are falling so quickly, those £8/10k Granadas are now hovering around £5,000 but I’m too mean to risk jumping in.

I did call Martin Howey a couple of weeks ago about a nice black 2.8 Ghia for £5995 but it had gone.

This one, in fact

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267206058064?_skw=ford+classic+cars&itmmeta=01JQVRA889YCP0CM86W8Z4VZSS&hash=item3e36b8e050:g:O7MAAOSwm3Fn6nkG&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cH%2BtbWrCz06gtNlnsPXy6x%2Bd6MEQPzPThUabKpT%2B%2Bo3KyLAVSWyxl9PsESpnPcBQI33UPEbNAwJbDRvZjNrwkzPjQ3x%2FRVj8qJMUcPk076biWLYNK5eGQqeDB9K5vjmk6R9At9VI76IDOkBOyEBq00ZS34l5%2Fz9izz3l90Sv5BSreFMzxrwICLiyTtkGr0qYT7wN7K6iNhCkH40K%2F%2BpPuDQs90eY4hkbNmUBq%2F0XutxhUV03KX5vTlQLC1VF8oQyI%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8CEqfi-ZQ

its now only 25 miles away, which is nice. But also £10,000, which is not so nice.

Theres a couple of Triumph2000s for £3000 which would have been £5000+ a year ago.  The 50’s stuff is practically worthless now.

 

[SiC]

I wonder how long it'll be before E-Types are back to £15k territory...

Maybe in a year or two when the tariffs bite hard and consumer confidence is in the doldrums making luxury purchases like classic cars seem foolish. 

I'm holding out to see where things fall. Quite hard holding off when you're seeing stuff quite a bit cheaper than it was and have a itchy trigger finger. Especially on mundane classics that I like.

A moggie traveller in half decent condition went in the Charterhouse auction in Haynes last week for £2k with fees. Good enough condition that it drove there from Minehead. Went up again locally at a small dealer near me for £3k and sold within half a day. 

So the appetite is still there for classics but it has to be on the bargain end (compared to the last few years) before people jump.

[SiC]

I've been watching this guy in the background recently. Very negative on the whole market but interesting to see actual sale prices versus the auction house estimates. Some stuff hits estimates but a lot is way off. Especially on old British.

 

I personally think this is great news as it puts old cars back in the hands of enthusiasts rather than speculative investments. Even if I have 3 cars that are getting progressively loosing value. 

[EyesWeldedShut]

These are today's results at Brightwells - modern classics  and 'proper' classics

One or two outstanding prices (the one I liked was a late Range Rover 'classic' that went for £9500 on an estimate of £4K-£6K) but, in the main, reserve not met - sometimes by a whisker but, often, by a mile.
My feeling is that things like MGBs, the TR7 and the like are not holding value whilst the owners of things like the 1997 Lexus LS400 (not sold at £1650 with an estimate of £3K - £4K) are over valuing their cars, or, maybe, the auction house is having trouble guessing a proper market value?

[NorfolkNWeigh]

11 minutes ago, EyesWeldedShut said:

These are today's results at Brightwells - modern classics  and 'proper' classics

One or two outstanding prices (the one I liked was a late Range Rover 'classic' that went for £9500 on an estimate of £4K-£6K) but, in the main, reserve not met - sometimes by a whisker but, often, by a mile.
My feeling is that things like MGBs, the TR7 and the like are not holding value whilst the owners of things like the 1997 Lexus LS400 (not sold at £1650 with an estimate of £3K - £4K) are over valuing their cars, or, maybe, the auction house is having trouble guessing a proper market value?

I really need to get to an auction

The Landcrab and Sceptre were bargains, if as good as they look.

But the modern stuff seems even better value , the 996 and DB7 V12 both under £10k look absolute steals.

 

[IronStar]

On 30/03/2025 at 22:06, SiC said:

But this reasonable condition usable Spitfire has just finished about an hour or so ago for just £2600! 2 years ago it would have been at least double that. Also means that my Spitfire I've probably currently lost a grand on it in 2yrs. Not terrible but I'm used to at least breaking even on classics!
 

That sounds very enticing. Old enough to be imported here and they don't care about RHD for classics

1 hour ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

The 50’s stuff is practically worthless now.

 

I..err....sense a 50s car in my future... Links to something interesting you've seen? 😅

[BorniteIdentity]

Car prices are like anything - it's a market.  The value of your investment may go up as well as yada yada.   

What I wouldn't be buying any time soon (as an investment) is anything pre 1970.  Blokes who are retiring now, today, started driving in 1975-1980.  The earlier stuff appeals to those who want the car their father had, or the car they wish they could have had, but by and large - for investments - I would stick post 1980 myself.  

What I hope everyone is doing is buying the car they want, rather than the cars that make sense fiscally. Which is why I have such admiration for @Angrydicky buying up 50s and 60s british porridge.  Buying on investment suitabliity is a firstly a folly, secondly a bit PH and thirdly should be enough to see AS membership automatically rescinded.

If I've accidentally landed among a bunch of tossers obsessed with the value of their investment then please DO let me know so I can leave forthwith.  Cheers!

[EyesWeldedShut]

1 hour ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

I really need to get to an auction

The Landcrab and Sceptre were bargains, if as good as they look.

But the modern stuff seems even better value , the 996 and DB7 V12 both under £10k look absolute steals.

 

Brightwells are still only online bidding with one or two days viewing on the days beforehand. 

That started during COVID and the prices were bonkers. These days they are dropping and I wonder if Brightwells will go to a hybrid auction (like Anglia).
 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

1 hour ago, IronStar said:

That sounds very enticing. Old enough to be imported here and they don't care about RHD for classics

I..err....sense a 50s car in my future... Links to something interesting you've seen? 😅

The Daimler that changes hands on here occasionally for less than scrap value, the various  Palmer Wolsey’s to be found on eBay for £2 or3000, Rover P4s , again on eBay or even on here for less than a banger racer would pay for a  basket case Granada or Cortina.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

1 hour ago, BorniteIdentity said:

Car prices are like anything - it's a market.  The value of your investment may go up as well as yada yada.   

What I wouldn't be buying any time soon (as an investment) is anything pre 1970.  Blokes who are retiring now, today, started driving in 1975-1980.  The earlier stuff appeals to those who want the car their father had, or the car they wish they could have had, but by and large - for investments - I would stick post 1980 myself.  

What I hope everyone is doing is buying the car they want, rather than the cars that make sense fiscally. Which is why I have such admiration for @Angrydicky buying up 50s and 60s british porridge.  Buying on investment suitabliity is a firstly a folly, secondly a bit PH and thirdly should be enough to see AS membership automatically rescinded.

If I've accidentally landed among a bunch of tossers obsessed with the value of their investment then please DO let me know so I can leave forthwith.  Cheers!

My issue is not losing money , after 45 years buying and selling cars I’m well used to that. Rather I might get a better car for my money.  12 months ago I would have struggled to get into a reasonable W124 now W123s are a realistic prospect , Cortinas we’re out of budget now there are 4 or 5 reasonable looking Mk5s for about £5k on eBay etc.  Maybe if I wait an immaculate signal orange 2.3S will pop up for £5/6000… or maybe not.

In other news I’ve just registered and  lodged £500 with ACA, what could possibly go wrong ? 
2.6 190e Sportline, ZX Volcane, couple of Sierras, watch this space.

[EyesWeldedShut]

2 minutes ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

ZX Volcane

You’re fine there, my wife banned me.

(she’s not seen the BX 4x4 yet)😗

[SiC]

2 hours ago, EyesWeldedShut said:

These are today's results at Brightwells - modern classics  and 'proper' classics

One or two outstanding prices (the one I liked was a late Range Rover 'classic' that went for £9500 on an estimate of £4K-£6K) but, in the main, reserve not met - sometimes by a whisker but, often, by a mile.
My feeling is that things like MGBs, the TR7 and the like are not holding value whilst the owners of things like the 1997 Lexus LS400 (not sold at £1650 with an estimate of £3K - £4K) are over valuing their cars, or, maybe, the auction house is having trouble guessing a proper market value?

Christ that was a blood bath for Brightwells. Estimates wildly out and most cars not even hitting reserves. 

Definitely seems to be the trend at the moment. 

Only stuff that is pristine or relatively unique seems to be fetching the money. 

[IronStar]

46 minutes ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

The Daimler that changes hands on here occasionally for less than scrap value, the various  Palmer Wolsey’s to be found on eBay for £2 or3000, Rover P4s , again on eBay or even on here for less than a banger racer would pay for a  basket case Granada or Cortina.

That Daimler is a peach! Maybe next time it’s for sale….

[danthecapriman]

Got to be honest, I don’t much care about the value of my cars. I’ve got what I’m happy with and I got them because I wanted them as cars not investments. 
Those that are/were buying classics as investments are the scourge of the classic car ‘thing’ imho. They don’t do much positive for the hobby truth be told. I’d much rather see real genuine enthusiasts have these cars but at more realistic and reasonable prices than already well off investors who just squirrel them away and try to reap the rewards for doing nothing later.

The only down side I can see here is that with lower values, it might mean some decent project cars end up scrapped or banger raced instead of finding their way into good homes since they’re now worth bugger all. Maybe?

[R Lutz]

11 hours ago, EyesWeldedShut said:

These are today's results at Brightwells - modern classics  and 'proper' classics

I believe the issue to be two things: firstly getting anything repaired is increasingly difficult whether that be getting skilled tradesmen or parts. The gold rush following covid is over. Secondly, we are constantly being told we are poor, we actually are with the cost of everything constantly increasing, but we're told it everyweek by this car-hating government. So the appetite to indulge in frivolities will rapidly diminishing.

[Matty]

12 hours ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

Well, it’s a year later and I still haven’t bought anything! Mostly because prices are falling so quickly, those £8/10k Granadas are now hovering around £5,000 but I’m too mean to risk jumping in.

I did call Martin Howey a couple of weeks ago about a nice black 2.8 Ghia for £5995 but it had gone.

This one, in fact

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267206058064?_skw=ford+classic+cars&itmmeta=01JQVRA889YCP0CM86W8Z4VZSS&hash=item3e36b8e050:g:O7MAAOSwm3Fn6nkG&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cH%2BtbWrCz06gtNlnsPXy6x%2Bd6MEQPzPThUabKpT%2B%2Bo3KyLAVSWyxl9PsESpnPcBQI33UPEbNAwJbDRvZjNrwkzPjQ3x%2FRVj8qJMUcPk076biWLYNK5eGQqeDB9K5vjmk6R9At9VI76IDOkBOyEBq00ZS34l5%2Fz9izz3l90Sv5BSreFMzxrwICLiyTtkGr0qYT7wN7K6iNhCkH40K%2F%2BpPuDQs90eY4hkbNmUBq%2F0XutxhUV03KX5vTlQLC1VF8oQyI%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8CEqfi-ZQ

its now only 25 miles away, which is nice. But also £10,000, which is not so nice.

Theres a couple of Triumph2000s for £3000 which would have been £5000+ a year ago.  The 50’s stuff is practically worthless now.

 

Has he still got the mark 3 4x4 that was on eBay? And it's a manual!! Looks a proper thing.

Edit it's this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276983985755?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=J-Ef8-wUR8i&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=svwv9r4orxa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[EyesWeldedShut]

Just spotted a 1999 SL280 up at Leominster* (Shirland Heath) tonight (maybe next week no picture yet). Allegedly 'direct garage part exchange' but a quick Google suggests it's been sat  for some time (at least two years and out of MOT for a portion of that). Advert history shows a drop in values - it'd still be too much for a whim purchase but it does look like the silly prices are dropping

*(it's not any sort of classic auction - usually mixed bag of bangeromics and PX stuff, unusual to get anything recent, i.e. Autoshite fun territory)
 

[MiniMinorMk3]

Good to see that stuff is coming back down to more realistic values, however, there seems to be a lot of blown over paint jobs hiding horrors on offer as well. I went to W&B the other day to look at something and most of the classics looked nice and shiney from 30 foot away, but up close some look like they have been painted on drive ways and in sand pits.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

11 hours ago, Matty said:

Has he still got the mark 3 4x4 that was on eBay? And it's a manual!! Looks a proper thing.

Edit it's this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276983985755?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=J-Ef8-wUR8i&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=svwv9r4orxa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

That’s a lot of money for. Mk3 though, I’m too old to think of these as anything but cheap big cars ( I remember being amazed at the brakes when they first came out, FFS) But then I thought @cort16’s one was too expensive at £1000 , that’s now up for 3 times that and doesn’t look dear any more.

[SiC]

2 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

 most of the classics looked nice and shiney from 30 foot away, but up close some look like they have been painted on drive ways and in sand pits.

That's what often sells well from what I've seen. 

Honest and original cars but that are shabby don't get anywhere near something that has had a fresh blow over with a good polish. 

Those that aren't knowledgeable or experienced see the shiny and think that must mean it's a good one.

Of course anyone who's ever restored a car knows that underneath is likely a different story. Those with keener eyes can notice the duller swage lines from a thick layer of filler. 

[R Lutz]

3 hours ago, MiniMinorMk3 said:

Good to see that stuff is coming back down to more realistic values, however, there seems to be a lot of blown over paint jobs hiding horrors on offer as well. I went to W&B the other day to look at something and most of the classics looked nice and shiney from 30 foot away, but up close some look like they have been painted on drive ways and in sand pits.

I'm going to be entering my Land Rover into WB & Son in the next couple of months. They seem decent enough people.