Nostalgia & Emotional Connection

• Many classic car buyers are drawn to cars they remember from their youth or admired growing up.

• A particular model may remind them of a parent, an old dream car, or a cultural era they value.

Aesthetic & Mechanical Appreciation

• Classic cars often have unique styling, craftsmanship, and mechanical simplicity that modern cars lack.

• Enthusiasts enjoy the hands-on aspect of maintenance and restoration.

Driving Experience

• The raw, analog feel of older vehicles offers a more engaging driving experience compared to modern, computer-controlled cars.

• Taking a trip down memory lane. Behind the wheel of a classic car, you can be transported back to an era where life was more simple, less complex, and enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds from a different perspective. 

Investment & Asset Value

• Certain classics appreciate over time, making them appealing as alternative investments.

• Especially true for limited production, iconic, or historically significant models.

Social Identity & Community

• Ownership brings access to clubs, events, shows, and rallies—a strong sense of community.

• Some use classic cars to reflect status or personal taste.

Unique Lifestyle Appeal

• Weekend drives, scenic touring, or showcasing at events give owners a sense of leisure and exclusivity.

 

And of course, there are other intrinsic influences as to why someone may be compelled or driven to purchase a certain classic car. Perhaps the car featured in their favourite movie? Maybe they grew up with a certain picture on the wall featuring a similar car.

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Who buys a classic car?
Lets also explore who buys a classic car? The following information is generalised, but is made up of information gathered over many years of experience in the classic car scene. By no means should this be thought of as excluding anyone outside the below profiles, if you really have a passion for a car, you should follow your passion and do what is right for you!

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1. Muscle Cars (e.g., Mustangs, Monaros, Falcon GTs, Valiant Chargers)

   • Demographic: Primarily males, 45–70, mostly working-class to upper-middle-class.

   • Motivation: Nostalgia for the '60s/'70s era, raw power, and Australian pride.

2. British Classics (e.g., MGB, Jaguar E-Type, Triumph, Austin Healey)

   • Demographic: Males, 50–75, some are expats from the UK, enthusiasts of heritage and craftsmanship.

   • Motivation: Affection for British engineering and style.

3. German Classics (e.g., Porsche 911, BMW E30, Audi Quattro)

   • Demographic: Males, 35–60, often professionals or collectors.

   • Motivation: Precision engineering, driving performance, long-term value.

4. Italian Classics (e.g., Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari)

   • Demographic: Wealthier males, 40–65, collectors and aesthetes.

   • Motivation: Artful design, exclusivity, driving passion.

5. Japanese Classics (e.g., Datsun 240Z, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX2 and RX3)

   • Demographic: Younger enthusiasts, 25–45, globally diverse, often tuner culture.

   • Motivation: Performance mod potential, emerging collectibility, JDM nostalgia.

6. Pre-War Classics & Vintage Cars

   • Demographic: Retired individuals, often over 65, high net worth, financially stable.

   • Motivation: Preservation of history, legacy collections, museum-level appreciation.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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7. New Muscle (e.g., HSV Clubsport, FPV GT-P, Dodge Challenger)

   • Demographic: Males, 25–45, diverse, middle-class to upper-middle class.

   • Motivation: Nostalgia for modern era muscle cars, power and performance.

8. JDM / Japanese Performance  (e.g., Skyline GTR, Mazda RX7, Subaru WRX STi)

   • Demographic: Males, 25-40, globally diverse enthusiasts and collectors.

   • Motivation: 1980s to 2000s tuner culture, driving excitement.

9. Performance Prestige (BMW M3, Mercedes AMG C63, Audi RS6)

   • Demographic: Males, 35–55, professionals and executives.

   • Motivation: Enthusiasts of refined performance, modern status symbols.

10. Supercars (Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 GT3)

    • Demographic: Wealthy males, 40-55, collectors and aficionados.

    • Motivation: Desire for exclusivity, high performance, and brand prestige.

What do owners expect to gain or enjoy from owning a classic or collectible car?

• Pride of ownership and showing off their car at events or online.

• Personal fulfilment from driving or restoring the car.

• Social connections with like-minded enthusiasts.

• Potential profit from appreciation in value over time.

• An escape from modern tech-heavy cars, embracing the simplicity and feel of older machines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where are the best places to buy a classic car?

Do you remember the good old days where you'd be driving along, and you might see an old car on a front lawn or parked on the side of the road with a 'For Sale' sign? Perhaps you recall grabbing the newspaper early in the morning, reading the classifieds to spot out a car that sounds great.

 

In this day and age, there are lots of places you might find a classic or unique car for sale - here is a list of some of the more common and popular places, so you can find and search for yourself:

• Online Classifieds (CarSales, Gumtree, Autotrader, Onlycars)

• Car Magazines (Unique Cars, Just Cars)

• Auction Houses (Shannons, Burns & Co, Grays Online, 782 Motors)

• Online Marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, eBay, My105)

• Car Owners Clubs & Enthusiast Groups

• Classic Car Shows and Cars & Coffee Events

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There is no doubt that via any of the above suggestions, you'll find a diverse range of cars to browse and to consider buying. It goes without saying that if you're not sure of what you are buying, it is always good advice to consult an expert for a second opinion. ​​​​