Long before the Americans caught onto the diminutive delights of sporting MGs, Abingdon had been producing cracking two-seaters such as this 1934 PA Roadster. It may not have captured the imaginations of our cousins across the pond in the same way as the post-war TC Midget would, but the PA was certainly loaded over here. Its headline-grabbing appearance at Le Mans in 1935 has a lot to do with that.

An all-female team was put together by famous racer and land-speed record holder Captain George Eyston to take on La Sarthe. Two of the drivers, Margaret Allan and Joan Richmond, boasted a 120mph badge from Brooklands and a JCC 1000-mile race winner’s honour respectively. Known as Eyston’s Dancing Daughters, the three-car, six-woman team all performed faultlessly, finishing in eighth, ninth and tenth in the up-to-1000cc class.

The MG’s sporting success stems from the tried-and-tested nature of its design and the evolutionary ethos behind its development. Its 847cc overhead-camshaft, crossflow engine might have first seen service in the 1928 Morris Minor, but its design was ahead of the curve and easily tuned for higher-rpm sporting applications. For the PA generation a three-bearing crankshaft was adopted that further aided reliability. The aforementioned Le Mans cars got a boost in power via a Marshall supercharger, which proved to be a popular factory upgrade for road cars, too; including this one.

This PA’s graceful lines transport us back to a pivotal period for MG. Founder Cecil Kimber had only created the brand a decade earlier, yet MGs were already making their mark in competition. A one-two in class at the Mille Miglia in 1933 was bolstered by a further class win at Le Mans the following year. Mid-1930s MG was booming, and this car is a compelling reminder of why we still see this as a golden era for the manufacturer.

This car, which I saw and photographed at Concours of Elegance 2020, is a superbly original example, and its history shows just three owners to date, the earliest of whom shipped it to Madrid, Spain. Remaining there for most of its life, it was later restored by Madrid’s prominent vintage and classic car specialist Rafa Pueche. Still in Spain in 2017, it was the subject of an article in Coaches Classico magazine before finding its way to its third (and current) owner, Cici Muldoon.

ENGINE

847cc, four-cylinder, OHC supercharged, 36bhp, twin carbs

CONFIGURATION

Front-engine, four-speed manual (non-synchronised) transmission, rear-wheel drive, separate steel ladder chassis with aluminium-over-ash body, drum brakes

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The passion for owning a classic car extends beyond the shiny showroom floor and into the vibrant world of car shows. These events provide enthusiasts with the perfect platform to display their carefully preserved vehicles. However, moving from one show to the next is a daunting task and requires careful planning and execution. This article provides important tips for safely and smoothly transporting your beloved classic car from show to show.

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Invest In Quality Transportation Equipment 

The first step to a successful classic car trip is to invest in reliable transportation equipment. Consider using an enclosed trailer to protect your vehicle from the elements and road debris. Remember to take extra trailer parts with you on the journey in case of a breakdown. This extra layer of protection helps keep your classic car in pristine condition during transport.

Check And Secure Your Classic Car 

Inspect your classic car thoroughly before leaving. Make sure all fluids are at the correct levels and check tires, brakes, and other important components. Tighten loose sections to secure removable items such as side mirrors and trim. Additionally, use appropriate restraint systems such as wheel nets or straps to prevent movement during transport.

Plan Your Route Carefully 

Route planning is an important aspect of moving classic cars from one show to another. Choose well-maintained highways and roads to minimise potential damage to your vehicle. Consider avoiding routes with extreme weather conditions, as the elements can damage the exterior of your classic car.

Plan Your Trip Wisely 

Choose your travel time wisely to avoid traffic jams and bad weather. Early mornings or weekdays may be preferable to reduce the risk of road congestion. Also, plan a rest area so you can rest with your classic car during long journeys. 

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Make Sure You Have Adequate Insurance 

Classic cars often have high idealism and economic value. To protect yourself from the unexpected, make sure your classic car is properly insured for transport. For peace of mind, make sure your item is insured against any damage that may occur during transit.

Record The Journey 

Record the moments of your classic car’s journey from one show to the next. This not only records your adventures but also serves as valuable evidence in case something goes wrong during transportation. For reference, please take photos of the classic car’s condition before and after riding. 

Pack A Basic Tool Kit 

Even if you’re hoping for a trouble-free trip, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected. Pack a basic tool kit that includes essentials like wrenches, screwdrivers, and jumper cables. This is invaluable when dealing with small problems that may arise along the way.

Network With Other Enthusiasts 

Network with other classic car enthusiasts who regularly attend trade shows and rallies. Sharing your experiences and tips with others who have made similar trips can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations to make your move a success.

In Closing 

Transporting a classic car from show to show can be a rewarding experience with proper planning and attention to detail. By investing in quality transportation equipment, conducting thorough inspections, planning your route carefully, and securing the right insurance, you can have a stress-free journey and protect your beloved car at every exhibit along the way.

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Have you ever considered an investment that will bring you more joy and utility than a term deposit or bond? For many, their primary place of residence is their biggest investment; others collect comic books, keeping them untouched and unused for years. But what if you want an investment that will allow you entry into tight knit car clubs and breezy midnight drives? Look no further than the classic car. This article will discuss exactly what you need to consider before investing in your newest hobby. 

What Do You Need To Invest In Classic Cars?

It goes without saying that you won’t want to street park your vintage roadster. There are just too many risks associated with keeping your classic car out in the street or even in your driveway or an open carport. So alongside securing classic car insurance, you’ll also need to either do up your garage or perhaps even rent out a garage space away from home to store your investments.

You want to make sure that your garage space is clean, dark, and dry, with uncluttered floors and no grease or oil spills. This helps reduce risks of moisture damage, paint warping or chipping, or any other types of damage that may lower the value of your classic car.

Most classic car owners invest in waterproof tarps, heavy-duty car jacks, and other modern car repair and maintenance tools to help keep their classic car in good working order and in a presentable condition. However, it’s rarely recommended that you go the DIY route when doing repairs or even cleaning your classic car. So alongside insurance and club membership fees, classic car owners should also expect to set aside a portion of their budget for the unique servicing and maintenance requirements that typically accompanies vintage vehicles.

Why Are Some Classic Cars Considered Collectible?

There is a massive community of classic car investors that consider them collectibles for a number of reasons. Often cars with historical importance, like models that pioneered new technologies or raised the bar for consumer expectations, become collectible over time. This is especially true if they are limited edition models, which have the potential to grow in their resale value substantially over time.

A racing history is also regarded as adding to a classic car’s value, as these cars are highly sought after. This is both due to rarity, and association with a respected automotive designer, racer, or company such as Aston Martin or Lotus. 

The classic car market mirrors the market for art in many ways. It’s an investment that looks great, and can also provide a currency hedge since cars can be transported to countries with favourable exchange rates if you ever decide to sell the asset. 

What Makes Classic Cars Worth The Investment?

When discussing this topic, it’s worth comparing classic cars to other collectible items such as coins, stamps, comic books and rare books. In the world of rare asset collection and investment purposes, these are commonly sought after commodities. 

Wealthy individuals worldwide have chased the limited number of classic cars, leading to the market for classic cars relatively outperforming other collectibles. Car collection has become so popular that there are now websites like The Historic Automobile Group International that are dedicated to tracking the classic car market. 

Even with a slight dip due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the market has steadily increased over the last few years. This overall positive trend has proven that it is worthwhile to consider an investment in a classic car for your portfolio.

Possible Risks to Investing in a Classic Car

Like any investment, classic cars have unique risks you should be aware of before considering purchase. Like most other investments having fees, such as investment property real estate costs or stock broker fees, there are costs associated with classic car ownership. 

For instance, if you sell a classic car, you might be subject to capital gains tax if you make a profit. This can eat into your investment returns, however, this is true for lots of alternative investments such as shares and property.

If you acquire a beat-up or rusted classic car, restoring it to showroom new condition can cost a bucket. You’ll need to incur the cost of parts, paint, bodywork, and labour unless you’re savvy enough to do it yourself. 

Then, ongoing costs are associated with classic car ownership, such as maintenance, storage, insurance, and fuel. And, if you sell, you may want to use a broker, who will have their own commission and consignment fee structure, transaction fees and transportation costs. 

However, there are ways to reduce these risks by doing proper research to determine their depreciation rates, taking on servicing and maintenance yourself and taking good care of your car. 

How Affordable Are Classic Cars?

Another thing to consider when considering whether to invest in a classic car is that, unlike other forms of investment, there aren’t affordable options.

While some are cheaper than others, most classic cars will set you back a tidy sum. As we mentioned above, you’ll likely need a car loan to afford one. This also means that this type of investment is limited to those who can afford to buy a classic car outright or those who can afford repayments on a car loan. 

Buying shares in a company or investing in a fund can run you a little bit less, as there are wider opportunities to invest a smaller sum. 

However, with all this said, if you genuinely love automobiles, investing in a classic car might be a part investment and part hobby. Restoring, driving and displaying your pride and joy might bring you fulfilment beyond the financials and might be worth the investment for this reason. Just owning a classic car can also open the door for social opportunities in the form of car clubs, competitions, and classic car meets. 

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Overall, while the classic car may be riskier than some more mainstream investments, it is much more suited to show off by driving around the streets (or racetracks) than a government bond would be. A classic car is the perfect investment for any car enthusiast and brings you a hobby and investment in one.

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