There has been much discussion in classic car circles recently about the future prospects of older vehicles. Interest in pre-war cars has undoubtedly declined in recent years. Conversely, the values of ‘modern classics’ from the 1980s, 1990s, and even 2000s appear to be on the rise.
I recently heard it put quite succinctly: “There is a sell-by date on nostalgia.” The idea being that, as those who remember cars from, say, the 1950s grow older, interest in such vehicles will naturally wane. Meanwhile, those who had posters of early Golf GTIs or Ford Escorts on their bedroom walls in the 1980s are now buying their dream childhood cars and investing in them.
While I think there is some merit to this argument, I’d like to offer a counterpoint - particularly in relation to the UK market. We Brits have a deep respect for our heritage. We value and cherish old things, not necessarily because they are practical, nor because we remember them from our youth, but because they form part of the fabric of our society.
We live in and spend fortunes restoring old thatched cottages with low ceilings and doorways we bump our heads on. They are inefficient, draughty, and costly to maintain - but they are part of our national identity. It would be far easier to knock them down and build something new, but that simply isn’t in our nature.
We keep noisy, long-case clocks that need winding when a modern quartz clock would be far more convenient. We wear wax jackets and flat caps, though modern technical outerwear would no doubt do a better job. The same, I believe, goes for our old cars. We value them as part of our social history. We recognise their cultural significance and cherish them accordingly.
Yes, values will rise and fall—it has always been that way—but I truly believe there will always be caring homes for these cars.
From my own experience in the workshop, I can confidently say that interest in 1950s and 1960s cars has not diminished. While values for some models have dropped, the workshop is busier than ever. I believe this is partly because prices have come down, making these cars more affordable than they’ve been in decades and allowing enthusiasts to buy into the market once more.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation by emailing or following me on social media—just search for Twyford Moors Classic Cars on your platform of choice.