Mass exodus

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lotusposition

Original Poster:

22 posts

128 months

Friday 30th December 2022
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Have noticed a strange glut of ex-celebrity Elans, all in museum grade condition, flooding the market on Pistonheads. For auction.
Anyone got any thoughts on this...Perhaps someone know things I don't ?

Unreal

4,980 posts

32 months

Friday 30th December 2022
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Links?

Mogul

2,989 posts

230 months

Friday 30th December 2022
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Looks like there are 7x up for grabs at Silverstone Race Retro in Feb…


https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/race-retro-202...

Panamax

5,077 posts

41 months

Friday 30th December 2022
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The cars are getting on for 60 years old which unfortunately means the majority of owners are likely to be getting on a bit themselves.

People generally buy the sports cars they admired as a kid, not the ones their dad used to like when he was a kid.

In the land of CUVs sports cars are a dying breed - I see fewer and fewer seen on the road. I suspect all those "collector" cars sitting in heated garages and being driven 500 mile a year are going to plummet in value before long. Just how many old, air-cooled 911s does the world need?

BertBert

19,699 posts

218 months

Saturday 31st December 2022
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Looks like someone is selling their collection. The "Piddington collection"

Lotobear

7,146 posts

135 months

Saturday 31st December 2022
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Panamax said:
The cars are getting on for 60 years old which unfortunately means the majority of owners are likely to be getting on a bit themselves.

People generally buy the sports cars they admired as a kid, not the ones their dad used to like when he was a kid.

In the land of CUVs sports cars are a dying breed - I see fewer and fewer seen on the road. I suspect all those "collector" cars sitting in heated garages and being driven 500 mile a year are going to plummet in value before long. Just how many old, air-cooled 911s does the world need?
I follow your logic however a 1960's Elan is iconic and still stands up against many modern sports cars in terms of driving dynamics.

I also wonder whether interest in some Lotus heritage models might hold or even increase if Geely are succesful in reinvigorating the brand?

BertBert

19,699 posts

218 months

Saturday 31st December 2022
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I'm actively on the hunt for an Elan, although can't quite decide normal coupe/drophead or +2. Interested in those Silverstone ones, but I'm not into the collector thing really. Happy to have something in really good condition, but not intrested in a collectors premium relly.

Haven't decided whether to sell my 69 911 or find somewhere to store it. It'll be a shame for it to go, but there's only so much space for cars at Bert Towers.

Thought I might combine an Elan purchase with a bit of a project, but all the projects I've seen have needed significant effort and cost, so I'll get one that someone else has done!

trw999

12 posts

228 months

Wednesday 4th January 2023
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This is a fabulous collection of Elans that the individual selling them has built up over many years. I have been fortunate to visit him and his collection several times and can warrant that all these Elans are in original and museum display condition.

Furthermore, each of these cars has an interesting back story, each of which are verified. I know that the market for these cars is small, but the classic Elan has a large enthusiast following (ask any car mag editor what happens to sales when an Elan is on the cover!), having been voted as a top three drivers/best handling car in several surveys over the years.

We have seen premiums paid for classic cars with famous owners, especially those with a motorsport connection. It will therefore be interesting to see what these cars are bid to.

Tim

Equus

16,980 posts

108 months

Wednesday 4th January 2023
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I fully expect the ex-Jim Clark car to set a new record for Elan prices, even in the current market (which seems to be cooling a bit).

Mogul

2,989 posts

230 months

Wednesday 4th January 2023
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Would love a nice Elan.

Curious to put them all up for sale at the same time, unless it’s a probate sale?

Panamax

5,077 posts

41 months

Wednesday 4th January 2023
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Or someone believes they have a chance to get out at the top of the market. Those price ranges are all very hefty. With Lotus moving into electric SUVs built in the far east the "glory days" may become less and less relevant as people who hankered after an Elan in the 1960s start to die off.

Even on Bangers & Cash you see older car prices going over a cliff once widows and estates are selling collected cars but there are few interested buyers.

BertBert

19,699 posts

218 months

Wednesday 4th January 2023
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They are definitely out of what I would be able to pay, I'll have to keep looking a couple of grades down as it were!

trw999

12 posts

228 months

Wednesday 4th January 2023
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Mogul said:
Would love a nice Elan.

Curious to put them all up for sale at the same time, unless it’s a probate sale?
Nope, not a probate sale. Just life changing, moving on and moving out. My friend spent many years hunting down these cars, then many pounds having them partly/totally restored as necessary. He has had a great deal of enjoyment from them and the journeys they have been on in his hands. He is now passing the baton on to others to enjoy these cars as they see fit.

He is keeping a couple of Elans for himself, mind you!

Tim

Mogul

2,989 posts

230 months

Wednesday 4th January 2023
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An enviable position to be in. Enjoy in good health!

GingerMunky

1,188 posts

264 months

Thursday 12th January 2023
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Looking at the prices people are cashing in on the over valued market, which turned last year, and the rediscovery of the Lotus marque with the new Emira and Eletre.

Maybe these Elan's will be worth £1/2M in a couple of years when the social media influences have convinced everyone Lotus is the new Lambo winkbiggrin

Lotobear

7,146 posts

135 months

Monday 30th January 2023
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Colin's personal Plus 2, in Tawny, has now been added - part of the same collection.

Panamax

5,077 posts

41 months

Monday 30th January 2023
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Lotobear said:
Colin's personal Plus 2, in Tawny, has now been added - part of the same collection.
Wow, that's a hefty guide price for a Plus 2, even if Colin's spare underpants are still in the glovebox. £60k-£70k (plus 15% buyer's premium).

sunbeam alpine

7,079 posts

195 months

Monday 30th January 2023
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It's not limited to Lotus. Quite a few of my friends are slimming down their collections at the moment, and I'm thinking of doing the same.

I think that prices for non-exceptional classic cars won't go any higher, and younger generations don't have the same level of interest in classics.

GingerMunky

1,188 posts

264 months

Tuesday 31st January 2023
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sunbeam alpine said:
I think that prices for non-exceptional classic cars won't go any higher, and younger generations don't have the same level of interest in classics.
Until is becomes fashionable (retro) at some point. If something starts to trend with Gen Z they are all over it, but it is fleeting.