Classic cars are big business

The classic car sector is no longer the province of a select few and is now worth a staggering £5bn.

As classic car prices rise, so do the standards demanded of specialist restorers. High quality mechanical and body parts are now widely available as specialist products, equipment and processes used in the restoration process have rapidly developed.

The days of bodyshops taking on a restoration project to fill in the quiet times are gone; production line systems operated by today’s mainstream repairers would be totally unsuited to specialist classic restoration work.

However, there is a small but growing number of repairers now focusing on this sector and making good margins.

The health of the market was demonstrated at the recent Lancaster Insurance Classic Car Show held in five halls of the NEC.

A record 69,000 visitors attended the three-day show, while event guests included Mike Brewer and Edd China of Wheeler Dealers fame, as well as Ross Brawn and Sir Stirling Moss.