The latest UK Hagerty Price Guide reveals that the classic car market has proved a relative safe haven during the global pandemic. The guide, which tracks more than 40,000 values of classic cars worth a total of £570m, shows trends that suggest that the UK classic car market is in a healthy state despite (or maybe due to) COVID-19.
In recent months the classic car market has had to adapt quickly and move predominantly online. The companies that were either already investing in high-quality online selling platforms or were agile enough to adapt quickly have performed well, and those who decided to weather the storm slowly realise the world will never be quite the same again.
But, unlike other areas of the economy, this doesn’t just seem to be making up for a COVID-19-induced shortfall, and data suggests there has been a significant increase in market activity compared to 2019. Also, classic cars are an emotional purchase, and COVID-19 has been an emotional time. All the indications – auction results, anecdotal evidence from enthusiasts and statements from dealers – suggest that the sub-£100,000 classic car market is active.
The Hagerty UK Classic Index, which monitors the top 50 cars most indicative of the UK market, reveals that the classic car market has proved remarkably resilient during a period of unprecedented uncertainty. Since the last report in May 2020, average (mean) values have shown an overall rise of 0.85%. Nine cars fell in value, six rose and 35 remained static.
With one exception, the cars that have risen in value are all ‘modern classics’ – aspirational performance cars evocative of the 1980s era that many of today’s 40-something buyers want to own. The exception is the Morgan 4/4 which reports a modest monetary rise.
Classic cars that fell in value tended to be cars that saw rapid appreciation during the last decade. For example, a flurry of enthusiasm around early land Rovers and Range Rovers has ebbed, and prices seem to have settled.
Fallers also include striking, individual classics such as the Daimler SP250 Dart, the Aston Martin Lagonda S2 and the DeLorean DMC-12. All have dropped in reported value.
Although most cars within the Classic Index are non-movers, some are at the end of a consistent period of value movement. The downwards trend in values of the Ferrari 308GTB has finally subsided, and the Willys MB Jeep fall has also settled. The previous steady rise of the BMW 2002tii, and the much more dramatic gains of the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, have also levelled out.
Ford Escort Mexico values have now been static for over two years which, accounting for inflation, shows a small drop in real value.
A full breakdown of the UK Classic Index results can be found at the end of this document.
The UK Hagerty Price Guide (issue 21) reported a small downwards shift of 0.47% with mean value recorded at £238,683, down from £239,798. The UK HPG tracks a total of 40,332 classic car values registered between 1923 and 2005.
Values of MGAs have improved since the last HPG update in May, with many examples performing well at recent auctions. Only four no-sales were reported, from 13 offered since May. As a result, the Hagerty Price Guide average for a standard 1500 roadster has risen from £25,125 to £27,125 and Twin-cam values have risen from £54,700 to £60,200.
Front-engine Porsche variants (924, 944 and 928) have risen across the board since the last HPG update. The Porsche 924 Lux has increased from an average of £8,100 to £8,550.
Aston Martin DB6 values fell in nearly every variant except the very rarest Vantage Volantes and Short Chassis Volante models. Mk I standard saloons have been most affected, moving from a Hagerty Price Guide range of between £175,000 to £400,000 to a new range of £142,000 to £335,000.
Since lockdown, the top of the European classic car market is seemingly buoyant: of the four classic (pre-1990) cars offered at European public auctions since March, just one failed to sell. The sales highlight was a right-hand drive 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV which fetched £1.91m at Silverstone Auctions in August – £200,000 over HPG top value for that model.
Hagerty UK Classic Index Report Highlights:
Risers
VW Golf GTi Mk 1 1.6 - Rise of 13.82% in quarter (avg value up from £15,200 to £17,300)
Audi Quattro - Rise 3.84% (£46,225 to £48,000)
Morgan 4/4 Series V - Rise 2.13% (£28,225 to £28,825)
Porsche 944 Turbo - Rise 1.45% (£20,625 to £20,925)
Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 - Rise 0.93% (£16,150 to £16,300)
Fallers
DeLorean DMC 12 - Down 6.82% in quarter (avg value down from £30,262 to £28,200)
Daimler SP250 Dart - Down 5.26% (£41,337 to £39,162)
Range Rover Classic 2 door - Down 4.97% (£38,750 to £36,825)
Aston Martin Lagonda S2 - Down 2.37% (£53,798 to £52,525)
Land Rover Series 1 - Down 1.35% (£29,700 to £29,300)
Non-movers
BMW 2002 tii - Previously up 4.26% and 0.68% in last two updates (avg £29,575)
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth - Previously up 13.74% and 3.64% (avg £48,550)
Willys MB Jeep - Previously down -8.61% and -4.31% (avg £21,075)
Ferrari 308 GTB standard - Previously down -2.62% and -2.97% (avg £52,250)
Ford Escort Mexico - Now unchanged since Feb 2018 (avg £29,800)
Speaking of the latest reported results John Mayhead, Head of Hagerty UK Valuations, said “The UK classic car market seems to be in rude health, with enthusiasts taking the lead at every value point, according to new Hagerty Price Guide figures. Some values are still dropping, but that’s understandableâ€
The full Hagerty report can be read here:Â https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/calm-amidst-the-storm/
All Hagerty Insider UK content is copyright © Hagerty International Ltd but licensed for reuse with full attribution. Bespoke data is available on request.
In addition to providing globally leading insurance products, Hagerty International is regarded as one of the world leaders in classic car market analysis and the valuation of classic cars. Regular market reports are published by Hagerty taking data from owners, collectors, car sales and auctions from around the world to give an accurate overview of the classic car market, its stability and value.
Hagerty also offers an extensive event program, including the famous Festival of the Unexceptional, and remains one of the world’s largest classic car content providers through its print, film, digital and social media channels.
*Article Source www. onic-collective.com
