5 minute read
Interview: 19. Dzielnica
Life + Style
Triumph TR3
Classic investment
Limited series, a unique and timeless design and a good investment – that’s what classic and vintage car enthusiasts are after. Who wouldn’t want to get into an Oldtimer and test their mettle when firing up a manual-choke engine? WBJ talked to Przemysław Grygiencze, COO of Ardor Auctions INTERVIEW BY BEATA SOCHA
WBJ: Who buys vintage, classic cars?
Przemysław Grygiencze: Classic and vintage cars are a passion for people who love the automotive industry, but they also offer an alternative form of investment. Our clients are private collectors who search for unique items to expand their collection. Our affluent clients appreciate the beauty and the chicness of the vintage style, which was so inimitable that they consider it timeless. Vintage car owners often attend events, both across Poland and elsewhere in Europe, where classic cars are displayed to show their car to a wider audience. They take part in competitions, rallies and other events, collect trophies, awards and diplomas that confirm their car is an extraordinary vehicle.
Another group of people are clients who are only just beginning their adventure with Oldtimers (a term used to describe classic cars registered at least 40 years ago) and Youngtimers (relatively young classic cars which have not yet acquired Oldtimer status). They remember the first cars their parents had and want to fulfil their childhood dreams. What these two client groups have in common is the awareness of the investment value of these cars. Accessibility of these vehicles is limited and their prices keep going up. Naturally, we need to bear in mind that cars get older and require care and upkeep – more than just technical maintenance.
Is it a good investment?
Each country, including Poland, has their own specific trends. Different cars are popular in Germany, in France and in Poland. We can see the differences because we work on a day-to-day basis with our offices across Europe. Each make can be a very good investment, but the actual return depends on the market. We, Ardor Auctions and Ardor Cars, have several years of experience in trading these cars and we provide our clients with expertise on where and when to buy or sell a particular make. Our upcoming auction will feature 30 different classic models, which can definitely be considered in terms of a capital investment.
Which makes and models are the most in demand in Poland?
In Poland there are many makes and models that have achieved cult status. Because of our proximity to Germany, makes such as Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and Opel have always been popular. We know these cars, we see or used to see them on Polish roads. But not just them. Let’s remember that our own automotive industry has been quite interesting; from FIAT through to cult Warszawas. We’ve been close to Italian and French automotive trends too: FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Renault and Peugeot. We also love English roadsters, such as MG, Jaguar and Triumph. We always try to follow where the market is and have popular vehicles from all over Europe in our offer. We always add well-known and popular US cars, so you’ll always find a cult Mustang, Corvette or another American cruiser. In September, you’ll be able to find some of these cars at a show before the auction in the former FSO factory, where the Polish automotive industry was born. That’s also where the auction will take place.
Do clients drive them or do they keep them in their garages? Are they street legal (e.g. in terms of
safety and environmental requirements)?
All our cars are in good technical condition and ready to be registered. Some clients prefer to get the “yellow” registration plates, meaning they are driving a vintage car, and are thus not required to have continuous insurance and regular check-ups. Some people register cars just to use them every day. We offer our potential clients an indoor track, where they can take a car for a test drive. We also have a garage with a lift and professional help for technical inspections. We want to make sure that clients who take part in the auction know the vehicle they intend to buy. We also offer service packages for continued maintenance of the car they buy, including garage storage, additional detailing, photo shoots by request and help with registration.
Where do you find these cars for auctions?
The process of finding these cars is complex and time consuming. We’ve been on the market for four years and we’ve organized 11 auctions, we are an increasingly recognizable brand. In a large majority of cases it is the owners themselves who find us, which makes us very happy and proves that there is real value to having an auction house like ours. We also receive a lot of recommendations and referrals. Additionally, we have a procurement department where we try to reach owners, collectors and vintage car restorers. It takes many months to accept and prepare a car before presenting it at a pre-auction show and at the auction itself.
Is there a way to tell which models that are currently produced will become vintage in 30-40 years?
As a rule, we know that cars manufactured in limited series and quantities are the most sought after and have the best potential to gain a cult status later. These are often sports cars that you don’t often see on city streets – projects which car manufacturers put a lot of thought into. Interestingly, Korean makes currently have a few inspiring models which are aspiring to be some of those interesting projects. These are the cars that will draw attention of future collectors and maybe even today’s investors.
Citroen DS
