Editorial

Talking to great friend, and Royal Automobile Club (Pall Mall) Motoring Committee Member, the other day I expressed surprise at the prices Veteran, RAC-run eligible, cars are now achieving. Not my scene, rather have a Daytona, remind me of Christmas cards from Auntie; that sort of thing. 'You should come along to the London to Brighton!' exclaimed he, pretty brisk, 'Some of the transporters they arrive in would do justice to an F1 paddock, and the cars are immaculately prepared for the event. After all they were the Daytonas and Bentley Continentals of their day.' With Bonhams selling a 1903 Mors for £161,000 (including premium) and their Geneva Salon sale featuring a Martini 14/18 from the same year in the 'Refer Department' bracket, perhaps I've got it wrong. Pricewise many of the '1980's boom' exotica such as Daytonas, Boxers and Testarossas are stagnating (or at least not rising), whereas some of the more esoteric areas like Veterans are enjoying a period of growth.

With an article in last Saturday's 'Daily Telegraph' covering recent US Auctions, in particular the phenomenon of big-money Detroit 'Muscle-Cars', perhaps now is the time consider the classic car market as an investment again. Compared to the appalling performance of stocks, and low interest rates, they might not be such as bad deal.

To paraphrase Mark Twain - 'Buy classic cars, they've stopped making them'.

Until prices really go through the roof on 1950's Italian racing machinery
that is.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

NEWS

DB2 sets new record on Classic Driver 0 - £32,000 in four hours!

When Aston Martin owner Richard Royle decided to advertise his 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 he knew Classic Driver were the specialists for the marque, but even he was surprised when, just four hours after the car going online last Thursday, the telephone range with a serious enquiry...

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C’était un Rendezvous, legendary short film to be re-released in March 2003

For many years “C’était un Rendezvous” has been enjoyed as an almost Masonic secret among car enthusiasts. Whisper the words “Have you seen Rendezvous” and you’ll receive either a knowing, “No, but I’ve heard it’s unbelievable” or a smug, “It is un-be-lieve-able”...

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EVENTS

London Classic Motor Show 2003

There’s something for everyone at this year’s London Classic Motor Show from a cut-away Porsche 911, an MG versus Triumph rebuild challenge, a fun competition to win a Ford Granada and a magnificent Concours display...

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European Concours d'Elegance
5th & 6th JULY 2003 Schloss Schwetzingen

The Annual European Concours d’Elegance will again be taking place over the weekend 5th & 6th July 2003 at Schloss Schwetzingen near Heidelberg, Germany with over 150 of the World’s Finest Coach Built Automobiles competing...

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AUCTIONS

Auction Review: H&H at Buxton 19th February 2003

H&H’started their 2003 season with an upbeat sale at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton. The packed saleroom saw fifty one cars change hands for a sale total of £620,000 and although the sales rate dropped below its normal 80% to 62% H&H consider the sale produced 'some truly market changing and explosive results'...

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3rd March 2003 - Auction Preview - Coys at the London Business Design Centre

A 1952 Allard J2X is expected to fetch £75,000 – 80,000 at Coys first London sale of the year at the Business Design Centre, Islington. This, together with a mix of lots ranging from racing cars to a 1960 Austin Healey restoration project will provide suitable fodder for those wishing to pick up a classic for the summer months...

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10th March 2003 - Auction Preview - Bonhams at Geneva Motorshow

A significant collection of Corvettes, ranging from a 1954 straight-six convertible, just a year into the car’s production run, to a 1998 345 bhp ‘Indy Race Car Replica’ is the mainstay of Bonhams Europe’s annual auction at the Geneva Motor Show...

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Advertisement
PREMIUM OFFERS

Ferrari 212 Export Berlinetta Le Mans by Touring

A very rare and unique Ferrari. Engine size increased by factory to 225 in 1953, prior to competing in the Mille Miglia of the same year and again in 1955. Immensely fast and eligible for every rally, a true investment.

colour Red
interior colour Black
drive RHD
type Coupe
year 1951
chassis number 0112E
price P.O.R.
country United Kingdom

Dealership:

Phome: +44 (0) 1256-765000

see all details

Morgan Aero 8

6 speed, leather, Two tone paintwork
Leather interior

New car for delivery ex-stock March 2003


colour Moorland Green over Pewter
interior colour Stone Hide piped Green
drive LHD
year 2003
price 62.957 GBP
Location Spain

Price: 62.957 GBP

country Spain

Dealership:

Specialist Motor Holdings Ltd

Phone: +34 971 403 697
mobil: +34 650 984424

see all details

Coys Auction at London Business Design Centre
3rd March

Amelia Island Concours, Florida USA
07th - 09th March 2003

Lotus Festival, Donington Park UK
08th - 09th March 2003

Bonhams Auction at Geneva Motorshow
10th March 2003

Bentley Drivers Club, Brooklands Museum
16th March 2003

see further event details

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