The latest 2017/2018 market review from Classic Data is hot off the press. Now in its 19th edition, the classic for market observation of classic cars and motorcycles is over 750 pages thick and contains around 40,000 valuations of 260 car and motorcycle brands with over 8,000 models. The conclusion of the Classic Data market observers: They still exist, the good vehicles at fair prices!
Calm markets
In the foreword, the Classic Data experts explain their current view of the market:
"Last year already showed that the rapidity of the general price trend was decreasing. This trend can still be observed. The market is in a calming phase. Although the supply of classic cars remains high, there is less trading than in 2015/16. How should this be interpreted? The downtimes are getting longer. Vehicles are often on offer for many months, sometimes well over a year. We are also seeing vehicles that were supposedly sold at auctions being offered again at other auctions, but this time at lower estimated prices. The supply currently seems to be greater than the number of solvent buyers, especially for mass-produced classics. Mercedes-Benz R107 or Porsche G-model buyers, for example, can browse through a very wide range of vehicles.
Nowadays, the more expensive vehicle is no longer automatically the better buy. This is because the supposed cream of the crop or the "classic of the future" is still being put online at a fantasy price. The dealers' euphoria is apparently not yet exhausted.
In recent years, youngtimers in particular, especially the sporty models, and young, individual classic cars have shown potential for value appreciation. In future, pure speculators will have to be more careful when choosing their vehicles; the famous garage gold will no longer multiply as a matter of course. And - let's be honest - that's a good thing for the time being. Both the speculator and the enthusiast can have no interest in working on a bubble. So far, the end has not come with a scare. Good vehicles are still being sold at fair prices.
But be careful with the overly casual use of the terms "patina" and "unrestored". Paint runs and dust inclusions are poor paintwork and have nothing to do with patina. A torn driver's seat is also not patina, but simply broken. A vehicle with a maintenance backlog and rusty dents is not always the unrestored condition you are looking for."
Order now
The standard work is available now at a price of 55.30 euros including postage and shipping - orders can be placed via the Classic Data website or by email to [email protected].
