Classic car values are all about opinions and just like the Ferrari Testarossa, everyone seems to have one these days.  The constant recycling of second hand information by the media doesn’t help much, so we assembled a panel of experts – people who live and breath classic cars every day – to give what we would consider to be qualified opinions. Our panel represents different areas of the classic car industry from marque specialists to auctioneers and insurers in order to give a balanced view – so here they are.

The expert panel

James Knight – Group Director of the Bonhams Motoring Department

Jonathan Aucott – Owner, Avantgarde Cars

John Mayhead – Online Editor, Hagerty Insurance UK

Jeff Fosker & team at Foskers – the UK’s oldest independent Ferrari Specialists

Harry Metcalfe – founder of EVO magazine, serial car owner, JLR Special Operations

Dietrich Hatlapa – founder, Historic Automotive Group International (HAGI)

Neal Garrard – Commercial Director , Nicholas Mee & Company, Aston Martin Heritage dealer

Five questions

1. The classic car market in 2015 – what three words or phrases would you use to describe it?
2. The classic car market in 2016 – what key trends do you anticipate? These could also be external factors which are related to or influence the market.
3. What advice would you give to classic car buyers for 2016?
4. Where will we see most growth in 2016? – this could be an individual car, a market segment or a general area of interest
5. If you could buy any classic or collectors car, what would it be and why?

The answers

James Knight

1. The classic car market in 2015 – what three words or phrases would you use to describe it?

Competition for prime examples

2. The classic car market in 2016 – what key trends do you anticipate? These could also be external factors which are related to or influence the market.

More of the same. We’re seeing spirited bidding, often breaking new ground, for ‘best in class’ / ‘prime examples’ of what we offer. Whether it be an Austin-Healey or Ferrari, cars that can be bought every weekend of the year – 20 years ago that would be Jaguar E-types, now you can say Mercedes 300SL roadsters and Gullwings, Porsche RS 2.7, Bentley R-type Continentals and Ferrari 275 GTBs – have to be in-line with market expectations unless it has something special going for it. Rare/interesting/historic/notable examples (think Lagonda LG45, Frazer Nash TT, Bentley 4.5-litre, Donald Healey’s Austin-Healey 100 coupe, even the Ferrari 575 Superamerica) that cannot be bought every weekend of the year will attract competitive bidding.

3. What advice would you give to classic car buyers for 2016?

If you’re a true collector’s motor car enthusiast and regard it as a hobby, then focus on the car that appeals to you, not what the tipsters suggest. In fact enthusiasts are doing just that and long may it continue. However, focus on the three principal criteria once you’ve found the car you want, namely condition, originality and provenance. Stretch yourself for the best example you can find.

4. Where will we see most growth in 2016? – this could be an individual car, a market segment or a general area of interest

Continued interest in the 1980s/ 1990s demographic; growing appreciation in the “next best” if one cannot afford the Ferrari /Aston Martin’. By that I mean Jaguar XK and E and more modest fare from the Italian marques.

5. If you could buy any classic or collectors car, what would it be and why?

Personally, the ‘Rimoldi’ Alfa Romeo 8c-2300 short-chassis spider by touring – you know, the one with the cowl and little fin over the twin spare wheels. We sold it for the Rimoldi family back in the 1980s. It is the most beautiful car in my eyes, could be used to visit the pub, go on tour, even have a blast around a track – and scores so well on the criteria of condition, originality and provenance. The car is presently owned by a true enthusiast and seen out and about – last time I saw it it was a couple of years ago kicking up some dust at Quail Lodge .

Johnathan Aucott

1. The classic car market in 2015 – what three words or phrases would you use to describe it?

After seeing some stratospheric price hikes in 2014 I feel that 2015 was much calmer, however this bought with it some stability and consistency, and in general market was every bit a vibrant as previous years

2. The classic car market in 2016 – what key trends do you anticipate? These could also be external factors which are related to or influence the market.

It is my opinion that 2016 will offer more of the same as 2015. A more stable market place that will see more of the sensible & sustainable price rises witnessed this year.

3. What advice would you give to classic car buyers for 2016?

As usual buy the very best – recent result are showing that the very best cars are still showing healthy increases.

4. Where will we see most growth in 2016? – this could be an individual car, a market segment or a general area of interest

I think that more modern classics from the 80s & 90s are a good future tip. People who admired them when they were younger are now at the age to buy them. Good low mileage examples are always the best bet for future investment.

5. If you could buy any classic or collectors car, what would it be and why?

Lamborghini Countach, It was the iconic poster car of my era and the shape still looks right today, LP400 please – in orange of course.

John Mayhead

1. The classic car market in 2015 – what three words or phrases would you use to describe it?

Starting to calm.

2. The classic car market in 2016 – what key trends do you anticipate? These could also be external factors which are related to or influence the market.

Market generally continue to rise but at a slower rate than 2015.

Terrorism/ EU uncertainty could go either way- either reduce spending on classics as people tighten their belts, or alternatively make classic cars look like an even better investment that at present. Just don’t know which.

Continuation of themes:

·         ‘Little brother’ cars will do well. Hopefully the market will work out how to value Maseratis!

·         Post-war saloons will probably continue to struggle.

·         Practical classics will continue to do well: Land Rovers, Range Rovers, VW campers etc

3. What advice would you give to classic car buyers for 2016?

Same advice as ever: buy what you love, that way you can’t lose.

4. Where will we see most growth in 2016? – this could be an individual car, a market segment or a general area of interest

Enzo-era sporting Ferraris. Still lots of rich people that want the best cars.

80s & 90s cars, with a few 2000s cars, especially low-volume sports cars. Porsche 996 GT3RS rises in 2015 a good example of this. Ones to watch: Aston DB7 GTA.

5. If you could buy any classic or collectors car, what would it be and why?

Porsche 917-023. Do you need to ask why?

Beige Ford Cortina Mk V ‘KTG 89W’ (the car I learned to drive in).

Jeff Fosker

Click here to read the Foskers 2015 Ferrari market review with their predictions for 2016.

Harry Metcalfe

1. The classic car market in 2015 – what three words or phrases would you use to describe it?

Unpredictable

Attention grabbing

Crowded

2. The classic car market in 2016 – what key trends do you anticipate? These could also be external factors which are related to or influence the market.

“Pockets of excitement” and “first signs of negativity“.

3. What advice would you give to classic car buyers for 2016?

Buy what your heart wants, not for investment.

4. Where will we see most growth in 2016? – this could be an individual car, a market segment or a general area of interest

“Ask me in 12 months!”

5. If you could buy any classic or collectors car, what would it be and why?

Ferrari 288 GTO or Pagani Zonda Cinque roaster

Ha, you’re not wrong.. Bought 5 cars in 2015 & sold 3. Best not to mention the 4 extra ‘bikes in ’15 😉 https://t.co/gye7m1Ykgd

— Harry Metcalfe (@harrym_evo) December 21, 2015

  Dietrich Hatlapa

1. The classic car market in 2015 – what three words or phrases would you use to describe it?

Market oversupply dampens price advance

2. The classic car market in 2016 – what key trends do you anticipate? These could also be external factors which are related to or influence the market.

“No stories” cars will be attractive and least vulnerable, documentation (including work performed) and clean ownership history are key. Keeping a watch on interest rates and currencies.

3. What advice would you give to classic car buyers for 2016?

Avoid decisions based on market perception, prefer personal decisions. Once you have bought try to make the car(s) more perfect, i.e. drivability, technically, completeness, documentation.

4. Where will we see most growth in 2016? – this could be an individual car, a market segment or a general area of interest.

The very best cars within any group.

5. If you could buy any classic or collectors car, what would it be and why?   Mercedes-Benz 190 EVOs, they are young, rare, still affordable and have competition pedigree.

Neal Garrard

1. The classic car market in 2015 – what three words or phrases would you use to describe it?

Discerning

Global – certainly Aston Martin classics are selling worldwide.

Supply and demand.

2. The classic car market in 2016 – what key trends do you anticipate? These could also be external factors which are related to or influence the market.

It’s natural to anticipate that prices won’t increase at the same rate as they have over the last 5 years and it looks like there is diminishing scope for fresh well-heeled collectors to join the market.

3. What advice would you give to classic car buyers for 2016?

You should want to buy a car for enjoyment rather than investment. Buy the best you can afford – the skills required to bring collectable Astons up to standard are not readily available or cheap.

4. Where will we see most growth in 2016? – this could be an individual car, a market segment or a general area of interest.

High quality Virage and V12 DBS – take a look at our own Aston Martin market review.

5. If you could buy any classic or collectors car, what would it be and why?   Mini Cooper S (1960s) – anything that looks in period and goes like a rocket.

Major major major want! https://t.co/AD42rl5KlI — Neal Garrard (@realneal77) November 13, 2015