Auction sales continue to remain strong in the UK, particularly for 1980s and 1990s modern classics like "hot hatches". In a lead article, this week's issue of Classic Car Buyer reports that "the last 15 months have seen the classic car market adapt admirably to new ways of distanced selling to cater for enthusiasts with more time and money on their hands, but as things start to open up again with the release from lockdown in mid May, can we expect the boyancy of the market to slow down?"

Effect of the ban on sales of new petrol & diesel only cars from 2030
CCB says "nobody is suggesting fossil fuels will be taken away from older vehicles, but the proliferation of city-centre emissions zones is a factor" which might constrain the use of classics in those areas.

Auction activity remains boyant
CCB say that while some auction sale rates have softened since unlocking in mid May, "they've generally remained over 80%. Brightwells' May sale recorded a success rate of 89%, a 2% rise on April, with H&H recording 80% and Anglia Car Auctions almost 90% during the same month. Historics' sales rates have grown steadily through the pandemic reaching 90% at its delayed sale at Ascot in mid April." Matthewsons' June sale attracted a massive 541 lots with highlights including modern classics like a Ford Sierra Cosworth, an Escort Sport and an Astra GTE. CCB note that 1980s and 1990s classics seem to be the current top performers, possibly driven by nostalgia for the era from affluent 40-something buyers." Matthewsons see "MGBs and that type of car remaining as the mainstay of activity."