Hagerty Price Guide shows a slow in the Classic car market.

Reports indicate only a 1% growth from April 2018 to Present day.

Hagerty Price Guides is part of Hagerty Insurance Agency the leading insurance agency for collector vehicles in the world and host to the largest network of collector car owners. Hagerty offers insurance for collector cars, motorcycles and even “automobilia” (any historic or collectable item linked with motor vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas shipping/touring insurance coverage, commercial coverage and club liability coverage.

The UK-based subsidiary, Hagerty International, was established in 2006 to cater for the parallel market sector in the UK and Europe, and now offers a bespoke portfolio of insurance products, underwritten by Hiscox, Aviva, Lloyds syndicates and RAC Motoring Services Limited

The UK Hagerty Price Guide is a list of 2,049 different models of classic car, each with four values from Condition #4 (running, MOT-worthy, usable classic) to Condition #1 (the very best example; international Concours quality). The Guide is accessible free online at the link https://www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk/classiccarvalue with model guides and values being available at https://www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk/price-guide.

The Hagerty Classic Index monitors the average value of fifty classic cars which provide an indication of the UK classic car market as a whole. A full list of the cars included is at https://www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk/articles-and-resources/all-articles/2015/11/25/hagerty- classic-index

Hagerty uses auction results combined with its own insured values, plus details of dealer and private sales to update the Guide on a quarterly basis. As Hagerty insures over 1m classic cars worldwide and remains the UK’s only dedicated specialist provider of classic car insurance, Hagerty’s view of the classic car market is unrivalled.

Results to December 2018 will show market grew by 1.07% since April, with 52% of tracked vehicles rising and 26% falling in value.

The HPG tracks over 40,000 individual values of over 2,000 classic car models, using data collected from auctions, insured values and private sale prices.

The HPG’s Classic Index, containing fifty of the most popular UK classics, showed an overall average increase of 1.07% since April 2018. This is the smallest periodic increase since the UK HPG was started in 2012.

52% of models rose and 26% dropped in value.

Biggest drops were in cars that were relatively cheap for a long time, rose rapidly, and have now settled back. These included Aston Martin Lagonda Series I :-11.9% , Ferrari 308 GTB Standard : -10.7%, Ferrari Testarossa -7.6% , Willys MB Jeep: -8.6%.

Models rising, tended to be cars that combined sensible values with practicality and style, Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato 1.6 : +5%, Mazda MX-5 1.6i : +8.5% and Fiat 500 F : +4.3%.

Popular cars that rose at a steadier rate were Aston Martin DBS Vantage: +1.6%, MGB-GT V8 : +0.4%, VW Beetle 1200 (oval window) :+0.9%.

Cars that had risen steeply over the last few years are now flat, Ford Capri MkIII 2.8i : no change, Mini Cooper 1275 S : no change Porsche 911 (930) Turbo: No change.

Angus Forsyth, MD of Hagerty International, gave the following statement:

“It’s clear the market is currently in a state of flux, although we believe prices are correcting rather than anything else. The biggest percentage drops are in those cars that rose rapidly in value over the last few years: early Jaguar E-Types, classic Aston Martins and 1980s Ferraris have all been particularly affected. For example, the Aston Martin DB4 Saloon has dropped by around 3.5% (average value now £385,500 from £399,500).”

“We’ve also seen some of these models struggle at auction. For example, we’ve noted six no-sales at auction since August of early ‘flat floor’ Jaguar E-Types (including two desirable ‘outside bonnet lock’ cars).”

“We’ve also noted a disparity between sold values and advertised values for those cars that have dropped. For example, the average price of a Ferrari Testarossa sold at a major UK/European auction this year was £87,800 with the most expensive being a car that sold for £111,886 including commission (Artcurial). In the US, these figures are similar with an average of £85,300 and a top value of £120,710 (RM Sotheby’s) and fall in line with the HPG Condition 3 (good) and Condition 2 (excellent) values of £78,100 and £119,000 respectively. However, when we looked at advertised values the average is £116,000 and the top advertised value is £199,950*. We believe that some sellers’ expectations are still higher than the market will bear, and we caution against using advertised values as a guide to valuing your car for insurance purposes or otherwise. That said, this autumn, we have seen many of the UK auction houses setting realistic guide prices which their customers seem to be accepting; this is good for the market in the long run.”

“The Porsche market is interesting. Porsche 911 values have generally followed the same trajectory as those noted above (swift rise followed by correction) but the market is 6 months to a year ahead of other cars. For example, two years ago values of Porsche 911T hit their peak. This time last year they had dropped by around 10% (our top value was £80,900), but now are climbing back up again (current top value £87,200).

On the other hand, Porsche 924 values are on the rise: one very low mileage, pristine example sold for an astonishing £42,000 at the RM Sotheby’s Porsche Anniversary Sale in the US. While the HPG hasn’t reflected what is considered to be an anomaly for this car, we’ve seen plenty of more run-of-the-mill examples of the 924 achieve strong sales.”

‘The 924 is an example of a classic that combines style and value for money with usability. Enthusiasts, and we believe this is especially true of those who have bought their first classic in the last few years, like cars that drive more like a modern car, have good parts supply and can be used for different events such as taking the family to a show or road rallying. Lancia Fulvia coupes, Alfa Romeo 105-series cars, Fiat 500s, early Ford Escorts and BMW 2002s all fit this description and have all continued to rise in value.”

Marketing Director Marcus Atkinson also noted: “We’re continuing to expand the UK Price Guide and it remains free to access online. In this update we added over 60 new model guides to the hundreds already in the guide, providing historical information and buying tips. We’re constantly revising the guide and aim to update it quarterly.”

Words Jeremy Webb.

Images Non copyright from internet.