Influx of young people is ‘keeping the classic car industry alive’

The classic car industry reports it is attracting growing numbers of young people, who are bringing renewed dynamism to the sector.

Gen X and Gen Y enthusiasts are finding a welcome home for their digital-native skills, keeping alive interest in older cars.

Many who are drawn to the industry to deploy their digital knowledge then become interested in more traditional skills, say industry leaders.

“Developing young enthusiasts across the spectrum is key,” said Historical and Classic Vehicles Association CEO, Garry Wilson.

“Selling, maintaining, storing, insuring, financing and more around these vehicles is substantially enabled by the enthusiastic worker. It needs knowledgeable young folks to carry the baton forward.”

You’re hired

Online marketplace Car & Classic currently has a team of 60 people, the average age is 36, and one in three is under 30.

This is “contrary to the popular misconception that the classic car industry fails to attract young people,” says CEO Tom Wood.

The fast move online for classic car transactions is creating further opportunities, explains Wood. “Marketing, finance, sales, legal, strategic planning and customer support opportunities have risen out of our expansion.

“Matching classic vehicles to their ideal owners online is attracting young talent alongside experienced industry colleagues.”

Proof of how quickly the online classic world is growing comes from a Car & Classic recruitment drive, which will double its team to 120 within a year. Wood expects the proportion of young people within the company to grow accordingly.  

A £7.2 billion industry

Merlin McCormack of London dealer Duke of London says young people “bring their own expertise, comfort in working with virtual teams and modern entrepreneurship” to the classic car sector.

Such retailers “offer the ideal environment in which a traditional industry and young minds can benefit from the interaction”.

The industry isn’t just attracting more young people, either – it’s growing itself, with spending on historic vehicles up from £5.5 billion to £7.2 billion over the past five years.

It also supports 113,000 jobs and constitutes a fifth of the entire UK heritage sector. Now the classic car industry is committed to both preserving jobs and encouraging new generations into pursuing careers.

Classic cars still “light up a child’s face in wonder when they glide by,” said HVCA founding partner, Emma Crickmay. “I’ve been that child, and now I’m that enthusiast.”

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