Classic Car Weekly (UK)

BIGGER NEW CARS RISK TO YOUR CLASSIC

The ever greater number of larger cars on British roads are putting the safety of drivers in much smaller classics at risk. Classic clubs have highlighted concerns from their members about the size difference between older cars and the latest crossover...

50 BEST CLASSIC BUYS REVEALED

The MGA, Vauxhall Viva and Volkswagen Golf GTI are among the models that market experts are hailing as great value for money right now. We’re looking at more than 50 great buys, including ten highlighted in Hagerty UK’S Bull Market report. However,...

CLASSIC FANS RAISE £679k FOR CHARITY

Enthusiasts across the UK have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity simply by buying and selling cars at auctions. A CCW analysis of lots sold at classic sales where proceeds have gone to good causes and fundraisers organised by UK...

NEW BID TO KEEP CLASSIC SPARES SAFE

Experts from hundreds of Britain’s classic car clubs have vowed to tackle the issue of the rocketing costs of spares storage at a meeting in early 2026. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs confirmed that the issue will be investigated at...

CLASSICS 2025 OF THE YEAR REVEALED

Show stunners, resto heroes and auction hits All of the year’s biggest classic car stories Our expert pick of the year’s greatest buys

PLUSTR7, UK MARKET BOOSTED BY CHEAP BUYS

Trade experts have told CCW this week that classic fans buoyed by cheaper prices are helping to boost sale rates and create a more confident outlook for the UK market. Dealers and auctioneers said that that enthusiasts are increasingly looking to snap...

A CLASSIC MIXED BAG

Classic experts have welcomed Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves’ decision not to cut or freeze rolling tax exemption for historic vehicles – but they’ve warned other measures will impact a hobby that is worth £7.3 billion a year to the nation’s...

DRIVE-IT DAY GEARS UP TO SMASH £250k

Ahuge £250,000 charity fundraising target is on course to be smashed when a nationwide celebration that brings more than 250,000 classics out for shows, meets and runs returns next year – that’s according to the Federation of British Historic Vehicle...

MODERN CLASSICS CELEBRATED!

CCW’S FAVOURITES RICHARD HAMMOND’S RESTO TALES FLOOD-WRECKED MG SAVED STARS OF THE CLUB STANDS

THE BEST RUN YET!

Drivers who completed this year’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run have hailed last Sunday’s event as one of the most successful to date. Entrants praised the fervent support from wellwishers along the 60-mile route from the capital’s Hyde Park to...

YOUNGSTERS PRICED OUT OF CLASSICS

The UK’S ongoing cost-ofliving crisis is stopping younger enthusiasts from snapping up their first classic buys – despite car enthusiasts under the age of 35 showing plenty of interest in owning older vehicles. Experts have called for more to be done...

CLUBS’ PLEA TO PROTECT TAX EXEMPTION

Experts who represent hundreds of clubs have said that any move by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to end or freeze rolling tax exemption for older classics would alienate more than 690,000 classic owners and jeopardise an industry worth more than £7.3...

NAIL YOUR NEXT BUY

Softening prices for older cars and a lack of speculators driving up prices are making this a great time to buy. That’s the verdict from classic car trade experts who have spoken to CCW for this week’s special issue, packed with top tips on how to bag...

PM BACKS BID TO TRAIN UP RESTORERS

Classic car industry experts keen to train the next generation of restorers have given the Prime Minister’s vow to support apprentices a cautious welcome. Sir Keir Starmer, speaking at the Labour Party’s annual party conference in Liverpool, vowed to...

TAX EXEMPTION UNDER THREAT

The former government minister who oversaw the DVLA’S revamp of classic car rules believes that rolling tax exemption for older ‘Historic’ vehicles is under threat. Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden MP said that he believed the zero-rate...

CHRIS BARRIE

Red Dwarf star on why he loves classics – and the cars that he’d avoid

FURY AS MINI MEET RULES OUT REFUNDS

Organisers behind the failed International Mini Meeting confirm the company set up to organise the event has been placed into creditors’ voluntary liquidation and admit that refunds are unlikely. The cancellation is being felt most by those who...

CLASSICS SET TO BE SPARED Q-REG WOES

Enthusiasts have given new policies from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) the thumbs-up – and say they will prove instrumental in preventing restored cars being being forced onto Q-plates. Paul Shuma of the Mini Cooper Register welcomed...

TIME TO END CLASSIC CAR SNOBBERY

Classic experts have welcomed the growth of new shows aimed at getting a wider audience hooked on old cars – but have said there need to be more shows that make owners of cars shunned by other events feel welcome. Sarah Crabtree, ambassador of the...

HOT HATCH PRICES SOAR

Top prices for some of the hottest hatches have more than doubled since the pandemic – and market experts believe that they’ll continue to rise despite a wider market trend of values for most classics softening. A CCW investigation into auction prices...

BANK HOLIDAY

Scores of shows, meets and runs will get underway next weekend as thousands of classics across the country take part in events that are being held to tie in with the August Bank Holiday weekend. In this week’s bumper issue Classic car weekly’s experts...

CLUBS FIGHT BACK AGAINST CLASSIC THEFT

Car clubs are starting to appoint security officers in response to the number of classics being targeted by thieves. The Stag Owners’ Club has responded to growing concern about older cars being targeted by criminal gangs by appointing a dedicated...

YOBS PUTTING CLASSIC SHOW UNDER THREAT

Aclassic car meet that brings together more than 400 cars is under threat because of complaints about anti-social behaviour caused by drivers leaving the site. The Bedfordshire Classic Car Meet, which has been running in the village of Oakley for more...

306-MILE XJS!

AJaguar XJS with just 306 miles on the clock is among a haul of delivery-mileage and low-mileage classics going under the hammer next month. The 1994 4.0 Convertible, previously owned by Jaguar Land Rover Classic, is one of a batch of cars from a...

THREE DAYS OF CLASSIC HEAVEN

More than 238,000 enthusiasts – including thousands of UK classic owners – headed to France for a bustling Le Mans Classic last weekend, The three-day spectacular brought together a staggering 9200 classics, supported by displays from more than 220...

CLASSIC FIRMS SAY BREXIT HAS DRIVEN UP COSTS

The Historic and Classic Vehicle Alliance announced plans earlier this month to launch an investigation into whether Brexit has prevented British restorers from working on classics based in continental Europe. In response, UK specialists that CCW...

CLASSICS ARE MORE LIKELY TO PASS MOTS

Classics more than 40 years old are passing MOT inspections at a higher rate than the national average despite being exempt from annual inspections. Figures that CCW has obtained from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency reveal that 85 per cent of...

YOUNGSTERS MUST BE PUT INTO CLASSICS

Classic experts have said the industry that supports Britain’s older vehicles will suffer if more isn’t done to help get youngsters behind the wheel. Three insurers have vowed to do more to help the next generation, pointing out that the average age...

17,000 IN BID TO PRESERVE OUR HOBBY

Efforts to protect Britain’s motoring heritage from future legislation have won the backing of more than 17,000 classic vehicle owners, clubs and specialists. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs said that it has seen an unprecedented...

WHY OUR HOBBY IS BOOMING

Industry experts including TV presenter and classic trader Paul Cowland have told CCW that a wider spread of events across the UK, more affordable cars and increased club collaboration are just some of the reasons why the sun is shining on Britain’s...

THOUSANDS RAISED FOR BICESTER

More than £23,000 has been raised in just a week to help those affected by the fire at Bicester Motion, which claimed three lives and left two firefighters in hospital. Since the tragic incident at the classic motoring hub in Oxfordshire on 15 May a...

TRAGEDY AT BICESTER

The classic car movement has been left reeling this week after fire destroyed a historic hangar at Bicester Motion, claiming three lives and leaving two firefighters in hospital. The historic motoring site remained closed as this week’s CCW went to...

LET’S EMBRACE NEWER CARS AS CLASSICS

Classic experts have called for enthusiasts to be more sympathetic to newer cars and their owners in order to ensure the hobby’s future survival. Motoring Youtube presenter Steph Hoy, Wheelerdealers star Mike Brewer and Borrow A Classic ambassador...

SALES OF E5 BOLSTER CLASSICS

Industry experts have told CCW that there is strong demand for classic-friendly fuel – including from owners of more modern cars and bikes. However, they add that it’s crucial enthusiasts carry on filling up in order to stop it being withdrawn. The...

NICK LARKIN ON THE EVENT’S HISTORY

GET YOUR CLASSIC CAR EXEMPTED!

More than 100,000 cars old enough to qualify for free Vehicle Excise Duty and emission charge exemptions are missing out because they haven’t been registered for ‘Historic’ vehicle status. The rolling exemption covering vehicles more than 40 years old...

200 BARN-FINDS UNEARTHED!

Ahuge haul of unrestored classics and parts is going under the hammer. F.M Hutchings, based in Tewkesbury, said that the collection’s owner is now selling the property where they’re based, meaning that all of the cars and parts – including Land Rovers,...

TRUMP BACKS CLASSICS

US president Donald Trump’s decision to exempt classics from tariffs has received a cautious welcome from traders. The move has mitigated concerns on both sides of the Atlantic that the current 2.5 per cent tariff on cars built before April 2000 being...

NEW HOPE FOR MODERN CLASSICS

More specialists setting up shop, an upturn in demand and the rollout of cheaper technology such as 3D printing are encouraging car fans to save modern classics that previously would have been mothballed or scrapped. Market experts have pointed to an...

YOUR RESTOS STUN AT PACKED NEC SHOW

A Vauxhall Nova that was on the verge of being scrapped before being subjected to a stunning overhaul won the top prize at a packed Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show last weekend. Rory Clague’s 1985 saloon took the top spot in NEC...

NEW CALL FOR GOVT TO BAN LED LIGHTS

The Transport Research Laboratory has obtained government funding to explore the problem of excessive headlight glare from modern vehicles; this comes after a recent RAC survey revealed that many drivers no longer feel safe on the road due to the...

BE ON YOUR GUARD FOR POOR PARTS

Classic experts have warned that restorers still need to be on their guard against poorquality parts after giving a new global database that aims to easily source spares the thumbs-up. The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA)...

CAR MUSEUM SELLS UP AS DEAL FALTERS

Classics that starred at a Devon motor museum are on the market after efforts to save the tourist attraction fell through. Auction house Charterhouse confirmed that it will be selling off 70 cars, motorcycles and pieces of motoring memorabilia from the...

SPORTY STASH MUST GO!

Acollection of 19 rare sports cars is being sold this week. Bonhams Cars Online said that a restorer in Romania – who has since passed away – had amassed the cars, which date back to the 1900s.

CAR SHOWS IN FIGHT TO WIN NEW SUPPORT

Adearth of volunteers is putting car shows at risk. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs said that time-poor families and increasingly challenging risk management had made it harder for organisers to call upon help to keep long-running...

THE FUTURE OF CLASSICS REVEALED

You’re being encouraged to have your say as a nationwide survey to help secure the future of our hobby gets underway this week. New tech to aid your next resto and innovative new events are being hailed as big changes to encourage classic owners.

Mercedes streamliner sells for £42.75m

A streamlined Mercedes-benz racer made auction history when it sold for a jawdropping € 51.155m (£42.75m) last Saturday (1 February). Auction house RM Sothebys sold one of only four 1954 Mercedes-benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagens produced that had...

NEW SCHEME TO 3D PRINT RARE SPARES

Clubs and enthusiasts are being encouraged to take advantage of a new tie-up with a 3D printing specialist to re-create classic car spares in small batches. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs hailed the partnership with Igus Motion...

NEW BID TO WIN BACKING FOR CLASSICS

Enthusiasts are being urged to have their say in a major new survey into Britain’s classic hobby – whose findings will impact classic owners for years to come. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs wants to present the National Historic...

THE BUYS TO WATCH

Classic Car Weekly has picked out 25 auction deals to watch out for as experts predict growing confidence in the UK market – citing calm since the last general election and renewed international interest. Price expert John Mayhead said: ‘It’s likely...

The market movers and show stars destined for classic status

PRE-’65 CARS FACING FINES

Owners of older classics are at risk of artificial intelligence police cameras picking them out for flouting seat belt laws. CCW approached police forces after the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) said that owners of cars never...

CLASSICS OF 2024 THE YEAR REVEALED Why these 12 cars shook the classic world

The year’s biggest classic car news stories Hottest auction buys and event stars The cars we bought, drove and mended

TV STAR’S BID TO CREATE HIT EVENT

Classic trader and Wheelerdealers presenter Mike Brewer is working on plans to attract thousands of enthusiasts to a new motoring show held at Bicester Heritage next summer. The one-day event will bring the motoring expert together with fellow TV stars...

FUZZ CALLS FOR MODERN CLASSIC SKILLS

CARSOS presenter and serial restorer Fuzz Townshend has backed industry calls for more restorers to be trained in skills specific to modern classics. Specialists that CCW spoke to said while there are now plenty of younger people coming into the...

WE MUST KEEP E5 FUEL ON SALE

Enthusiasts have overwhelmingly backed club-led calls to keep classic-friendly fuel on the nation’s forecourts. CCW reached out to dozens of owners across the UK following the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs saying that it would campaign...

MASSIVE SPARES HAUL UNEARTHED

More than four tonnes of classic car spares – some dating back to the 1910s – have been amassed by club experts. The rare components, more than half of which are new old stock, have been rescued by the Jowett Car Club, which says it will ensure that...

3000 CARS STAR AT RECORD NEC SHOW

The Classic Motor Show marked its 40th anniversary last weekend with a best ever turnout of 338 car clubs, more than £42k raised for charity by Sporting Bears classic car rides and a £202k auction world record for a 2200-mile Ford Escort RS Cosworth....

PIONEERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

All-female teams marking 120 years of the Ladies Automobile Club were among the crews heading for the coast driving pre-1905 cars in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run last weekend. The entrants – which encompassed more than 100 marques and...

NEW BUDGET PLEA: KEEP VED OPT-OUT

With the new Labour government looking to fill what it is calling a ‘£22bn black hole’ in public finances, the Federation of British Historic Clubs (FBHVC) is calling on chancellor Rachel Reeves to keep classics out of her first Budget on 30...

CLASSIC CLUBS PREDICT END TO DVLA WOES

Experts representing more than 250,000 classic owners have welcomed the DVLA’S efforts to re-boot how it tackles cases involving older vehicles. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) said that it was optimistic about the agency’s...

NOW’S THE TIME TO BUY A CLASSIC

The UK’S classic market has never been more accessible – that’s the verdict of market experts who are saying that softening prices and a wider choice of cars are providing enthusiasts with new buying opportunities. Giles Gunning of The Classic Valuer...

DVLA: WE WILL CONSULT YOU ON NEW RULES

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has said that it will work with enthusiasts in a shake-up of its rules affecting classic owners. Representatives said that they’d seen ‘an overwhelming desire’ for clarity and will liaise with the...

DVLA WON’T TRACE YOUR OLD CARS

The DVLA has rejected calls to make it easier to track down previously owned classics. A number of enthusiasts and the Historic and Classic Vehicle Alliance have told CCW that it would spur on more restorations and help owners to increase resale value...

POLICE LOSING TRACK OF CLASSICS

Car crime experts have said that the police process of removing vehicles from its database is making it harder to recover stolen classics. The system that constabularies use removes the markers against registration numbers after just six weeks, which...