Mike Bell’s Escort

[Paul D]

No Andy: 24 sold from 52 lots, so a 46% sale rate. Not a great result, especially when you consider that - apart from the ex-Richard Burns Peugeot which "sold for an undisclosed sum" - only four of those were 'big ticket' (£50K+) items, even though there were plenty more big ticket lots in the sale.

I wonder how badly it was affected by the late change of venue after the cancellation of Race Retro?

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Paul D

No Andy: 24 sold from 52 lots, so a 46% sale rate. Not a great result, especially when you consider that - apart from the ex-Richard Burns Peugeot which "sold for an undisclosed sum" - only four of those were 'big ticket' (£50K+) items, even though there were plenty more big ticket lots in the sale.

I wonder how badly it was affected by the late change of venue after the cancellation of Race Retro?

Maybe, but if you were interested, you would surely bid on line. I have seen elsewhere that the high bidder for the Yellow Mk2 RS2000 Escort with x-pack arches did not reach the reserve. I am also told by those in the trade that prices for many things are dropping/ re-setting but maybe sellers are still trying to get top dollar and not being realistic?

I wouldn’t think that the auctioneer has made much/ any money given the cost of hiring the Wing.

[Lancsbreaker]

I'm sure that many sellers are having difficulty accepting that prices have dropped recently - of course if you bought at the peak you could be nursing some hefty losses. I was watching the recent Mathewson's auction, and again less than half met their reserves, although I'm sure there were quite a few deals done after auction close - which will probably apply to the Iconic auction too.

[Gerard C]

Looking at the prices the competition cars made, the market must be very low ATM. Alfas went for nothing, the first Mexicoo too and two Sierras too.

As to the money they can make, I won't bother about because they are often show sponsors and they have no stock to carry (same as estate companies). Only the collector's cars went for high prices may be this means that there's more interest in road cars in VGC (RS 500, Cayman, Manta 400) ATM?

[GORDON STREETER]

The speculators could well be taking a big knock soon like in the late 80s ? One of my customers said that he was going to buy a couple of Astons for 300k as this "bloke in the pub" had told him that he couldn't go wrong ! I warned him not to even think about it as things were taking a dive, but he didn't take any notice of me. He kept them in a garage for 2 years and eventually sold them to a friend of mine for 180k ! so that was a good investment !
At this moment the houses in my area aren't selling too well either, one that has been on the market for a while for 2.8 million has dropped to 2.4 and has still not sold (ok it might well be overpriced) however it was bought 5 years ago for 3 million by some Russians so that could "possibly" be why !

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I warned him not to even think about it as things were taking a dive, but he didn't take any notice of me. He kept them in a garage for 2 years and eventually sold them to a friend of mine for 180k ! so that was a good investment !!

Yes it was a good investment but for your friend only who has been waiting for the right time to buy. If you like statistics and ignore auctions fees, the best deal was made by the garage owner: 120k for two years…

[Tel 911S]

The value of classic cars could be starting to be effected by the E U s insane new idea for scrapping as many of them as they can .https://petersweden.substack.com/p/t...e-your-old-car
The new laws are still very vague , but it seems that even over 30 year old classics might have to be scrapped if they think it needs much work on it , or if everything is not absolutely original .
Would you buy one if you could not prove it has the original engine , and therefore might be scrapped .

[Gerard C]

Tel, this is about officaly registered road cars whatever their age, don't you think so? But OK with you, if a classic road going car is written off, its value might be effected because you can't use it on the road anymore. At least for a while. We have something here called "Carte Grise de Collection" aka CGC allowing us to register a classic hence some exemptions (MOT, insurance…).
https://officecartegrise.com/registr...nd-collection/

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Yes it was a good investment but for your friend only who has been waiting for the right time to buy. If you like statistics and ignore auctions fees, the best deal was made by the garage owner: 120k for two years…

I think you miss read it ? He kept them in a garage on his premises, he then found out that they were dropping in price and at the time he wanted some money. The clever people are the ones that know when to buy and sell.
In the 80s I knew someone that was making a fortune by buying and selling classic cars by using the telephone and not even looking at them !

[Gerard C]

Was said tongue in cheek, Gordon.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Tel, this is about officaly registered road cars whatever their age, don't you think so? But OK with you, if a classic road going car is written off, its value might be effected because you can't use it on the road anymore. At least for a while. We have something here called "Carte Grise de Collection" aka CGC allowing us to register a classic hence some exemptions (MOT, insurance…).
https://officecartegrise.com/registr...nd-collection/

Gerard , you might have laws protecting classic cars , but how long will they last .The E U have never taken any notice of what people want or any form of democracy in pursuing their agenda of getting rid of all ICE vehicles and only allowing very expensive and not much use EVs .
And the UK might find itself suddenly back in the EU and under their control after the next election .
So perhaps it is time to start worrying about how this is all going .
https://eightify.app/summary/automot...ing-older-cars

[Gerard C]

Yes Tel, of course it's worrying. I think they can argue that all classics belong to "patrimoine technologique", in other words History. Some of our main car builders have "collections" now, Renault, Citroën and Peugeot but Panhard, Facel Vega, Hotchkiss, Hispano Suiza, Bugatti and others are held by enthousiasts running under the banner of FFVE (Fédération Française de Voitures d'Époque). How long wil it last, no one can say. Hope for common sense will prevail…

[Derwent]

The EU seems to be coming under attack from all sides. I wonder how long it will last?
I enjoyed watching farmers spray the EU building with slurry! Getting some of their own back!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Derwent

The EU seems to be coming under attack from all sides. I wonder how long it will last?
I enjoyed watching farmers spray the EU building with slurry! Getting some of their own back!

Better still, they sprayed the police outside with manure!

Something about being "as happy as a pig in ****" I presume.

[Plantagenet]

Yes, definitely think the market is softening. I race in formula ford (classic/historic) and it look like prices have softened at least 10% in the last couple of years. But it's not really surprising when you look at the increasing cost of circuit racing coupled with the increased costs of living.

For things like Grp2 Escorts and Sierras, the cost to race these cars competitively these days is enormous. I imagine nearly all would be professionally maintained, possibly with trackside assistance ('the artics'). It sort of reminds me of the people who bought supercars in the 80s and 90s when you needed to be able to afford double to actually use them!

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Something about being "as happy as a pig in ****" I presume.

Remember the emblem of France, John, the animal is a rooster. If you ask to a Belgian about this choice, you'll be answered "its because its the sole animal to keep on "singing" even when his feet are in deep sheet"!