Why classic cars remain timeless icons of style and driving passion

Think of a classic car and you think of a pure driving experience, effortless style, nostalgia and the wind whipping through your hair…

Like good music and fine wines, classic cars age well, evoke emotions and are timeless in their appeal and are why you’ll see thousands gathering at meets and rallies over the summer months to drool over the sleek lines and stylish features.

A classic is defined as “something of the highest quality that serves as a standard or model for others”.

More than just old vehicles to be admired by young children and dreamed of by older enthusiasts, they are celebrated as machines with a soul, offering a connection to the past and stirring memories of a time when cars were still a luxury and oozed historical significance rather than being today’s necessity as a means of getting from A to B.

This sense of nostalgia and “harking back to yesteryear” are the enduring lure for many.

Gareth Williams is part of the team working on Hart Classics, a classic car and motorcycle show at Hartley Wintney on Sunday, 21st June. He believes classic cars reflect changing design and style influences through time.

“Like good music, certain car designs age well, bring about certain emotions and become timeless classics. The Porsche 911 is a classic case in point – while the latest iteration is a completely different car from the original classic, the design still bears a strong resemblance and has been iterated sympathetically through time.

“I’ve always loved cars and at a younger age I was in awe visiting motor shows with my dad, reading car magazines/books and even playing Sports Car Top Trumps with my brothers. I always thought that one day, should the opportunity arise to own one of these previously unobtainable cars, I would like to.”

He is “lucky enough” to own a 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera – known as the G series, impact bumper model – “it is a joy to own”. Some of his fellow organisers of Hart Classics are huge Jaguar and Lotus enthusiasts. All will be on display at the event where owners will be happy to share their love and what drives the attraction of owning one.

“One driver’s attraction to VW Beetles is another’s attraction to Ferraris,” explains Gareth. “For some, classic cars have proven to be an attractive long-term investment, driven by rising demand and limited supply; but like all investments, the value can rise and fall. I prefer to focus on driving them and enjoying the experience.

“It puts a smile on your face. The driving experience is more raw, more analogue than today’s modern cars, which makes driving them a more involved, enjoyable experience. I always find I’m ‘waved out’ at junctions in my classic car, which says a lot; fellow drivers appreciate seeing them on the road and are intrigued.”

The appeal is down to the driving experience for Mark Perkins who is CEO of Historics Auctioneers which has recently unveiled a new £5m HQ in Lyndhurst Road, Ascot.

“The wonderful thing about classic cars is everyone is bonded by the passion of ownership, no matter their age and the depth of their pockets, with values of classic cars ranging from a few thousands of pounds to many millions.

“In this comparatively sanitised motoring world of new cars, those of yesteryear get a big thumbs up for their diversity, the driving enjoyment at the wheel and as a passenger, plus, for many, the ability to tinker with their pride and joy.”

In recent years he’s seen major growth in “modern classics”, cars of the 1980s, ’90s and 2000s, adding that collecting is not purely the preserve of the “more mature enthusiasts”.

He says: “These tend to attract a younger age group of buyers, which will continue to swell the ranks of classic cars on the road. Not surprisingly, the interest in ownership is championed by thousands of UK clubs representing the interests of owners of individual car makes and models – the social aspects of classic car ownership cannot be over-estimated!”

A typical Historics auction showcases cars close to a century in age up to a relatively young 40, spanning differing marques.

If this whets your appetite, Historics’ summer auction is at the rural setting of Windsorview Lakes in Datchet on 18th July, just minutes from Junction 5, M4. Visit historics.co.uk

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