Ever wondered where all the Citroens went?

[barrett]

A good point well made Nige. Sorry to hear about the Alfas, hope they've gone to good homes.

 

Here's a quote from the Citroen church guy (are all car hoarders called Nigel?) which I think sums it up pretty well "...When I started collecting I had the chance to save a lot of rare cars or restore just 2 or 3. I took the view, as I still do, that for a vehicle to be restored it must first continue to exist"

[nigel bickle]

I've always viewed it as a 2nd Business. I try to buy at the bottom of the market, make cost effective repairs/improvements & hope that they will all grow in value. Security became papramount after that Fire -which cost me a substantial 6 figure sum, without the cost of the building, -aside from the heartache. Protecting those hard fought for investments just makes sense, really.

 

Others do seem to run their collections as a hobby. That tends to only work if you have masses of time, money or staff.

[scooters]

Nige your collection is poles apart from the majority of others and is an example to anyone who wants to start a collection.

[dollywobbler]

Nige your collection is poles apart from the majority of others and is an example to anyone who wants to start a collection.

 

I think this is a very valid comment. Bad collectors are folk like that chap who had all the Trabants sitting outside in Derbyshire. Just creates an eyesore that does us enthusiasts no favours at all. I know Trabbie bodies don't rust (though presume there's some steel in there somewhere?) but when someone has a 'collection' like that, it does beg the question 'why?'

 

Nigel B appears to be employing a system that's close to my ideal car museum. Keep everything in running order, or as near to as possible. He also doesn't seem to be afraid of selling cars. Something some collectors just won't do, even when all they've got left is a pile of rust.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I've always viewed it as a 2nd Business. I try to buy at the bottom of the market, make cost effective repairs/improvements & hope that they will all grow in value

 

That's very interesting. Once something has grown enough in value to make you a profit, do you normally cash in?

[scooters]

between 2008 and mid 2010 I registered a company as a subsid of my business and 'traded' cars through it. I worked out that my motoring for thosde 18 months essentially broke even including insurance, tax and servicing by suporting my hobby by sellin a car every now and then.

 

Nige's collection is amazing - I've only seem a wee bit but as you say, DW the big difference is that many of Nige's cars are laid up and can be back on the road with an hours fettle. The mothballed stuff is all uber rare...and I ,mean uber rare

 

We shouldn't be too harsh on hoarding - correct me if I am wrong but was not AS founded on the premise of 'save the kit' ie get hold of those unloved 80's and 90's cars and store them for future generations? An admirable aim

[fotorabia]

I struggled with two Vivas for now I have none..weep..but I was noble enough to get rid of them and put them in more capable hands,,i still get visiting rights to the last good one cos i sold it to the local petrol station..and due to the OP being a personal friend i can vouch for his discretion and trustworthiness...and altho we did share a similar scene in Berlin..we formulated our friendship here ..so to the Citromoaners..get a life..no harm has been done...no location was revealed...and actually..worst post ive seen was on RR..where somebody posted in the Abandoned thread a private collection using Google Earth..and it was clear that they werent dumped..and it gave the address...

[nigel bickle]

I do sell yes,sometimes. If its a quickly appreciating asset- no; It'll go further in years to come. If its a quickly depreciating asset -no. I bought too early.

 

If it barely moves -then yes- possibly.

 

The criteria is normally :taxed, tested, MOTd' 1 year. Virtually unused- move it on. Thrashed to bits -put it back away indoors!

 

The trick is spotting the trend -before it starts.....

[504GL]

Why don't we have a page where we draw pictures of the cars we saw, and then get everyone else to sit in a semi-circle while we tell stories about them? Then let's go and flog ourselves with birches for daring to share.

 

Sitting in semi-circles followed by beating ourselves with birch twigs? FANTASTIC!! Would we all be naked? Maybe a sauna or perhaps a hot tub as well? Beer and sausages to consume as we go along, followed by plunge pool to cool off!

 

Sounds like being Finnish......

[R9UKE]

I urge the OP to seek out the owner of these vehicles and apologise.