Considering buying a classic car bussiness .....
Discussion
Now I've had some bizzare nights down the pub in my life, but never before have I met a dodgy geezer and bought a classic car workshop
:yikes:
The numbers appear to stack up OK but I've dipped my toes into this before and all that glitters etc etc
So, my classic car chums, what do you lot pay for
Servicing
Panel work / welding / painting
General mechanic work
Storage (and what sort of access do you have/require)
Transport
And how would you percieve the market ATM. Plenty of enthusiasts still about ??
:yikes:
The numbers appear to stack up OK but I've dipped my toes into this before and all that glitters etc etc
So, my classic car chums, what do you lot pay for
Servicing
Panel work / welding / painting
General mechanic work
Storage (and what sort of access do you have/require)
Transport
And how would you percieve the market ATM. Plenty of enthusiasts still about ??
I tend to do most things myself, but on a more helpful observation.....
I get the impression running this type of business will be more seasonal than most.
Owners are mostly putting their cars to rest for the winter now, the pre summer rush will probably start around easter when everyone thinks about potential sunny days ahead.
Would you specialize in a particular marque or generic classic cars?
I get the impression running this type of business will be more seasonal than most.
Owners are mostly putting their cars to rest for the winter now, the pre summer rush will probably start around easter when everyone thinks about potential sunny days ahead.
Would you specialize in a particular marque or generic classic cars?
Most people who own classics that I know will do the serviceing themselves, major mechanical stuff may be shipped out. Welding and painting is normaly done by specialists. Parts are what we need.
I do all my work myself, all I have paid for in the last 10 years is fixing the aircon on my jag, even this I helped with by replaceing the bits then getting it checked and regassed. And body work repairs on the morris.
What I would really like is access to a well setup workshop (lift and engine hoists etc) that I could rent out for some of the bigger jobs.
Classic tuning is also becoming big business as far as I can tell so that may be the way to go. A rolling road with an expert who understands carbs would also be useful. As would an MOT bay which is freindly towards classics. Kit car stuff freindly would work well as these are the sort of questions I get asked a lot.
where abouts is this likely to be as it may be useful to know if you do take it on?
I do all my work myself, all I have paid for in the last 10 years is fixing the aircon on my jag, even this I helped with by replaceing the bits then getting it checked and regassed. And body work repairs on the morris.
What I would really like is access to a well setup workshop (lift and engine hoists etc) that I could rent out for some of the bigger jobs.
Classic tuning is also becoming big business as far as I can tell so that may be the way to go. A rolling road with an expert who understands carbs would also be useful. As would an MOT bay which is freindly towards classics. Kit car stuff freindly would work well as these are the sort of questions I get asked a lot.
where abouts is this likely to be as it may be useful to know if you do take it on?
arh said:West Sussex, I was a welder/painter at the last place I worked, would hope not to be doing that full time, there is a spray booth at this place though so that makes it a little less uncomfortable
where abouts is this likely to be as it may be useful to know if you do take it on?
Breaking and parts is a distinct possiblility, there's loads of space
So far as mechanical work go'es, my local independant garage will tackle anything. There charges are reasonable, they operate with complete honesty and fairness. It is run by two brothers who do the lot. They do however need links on where to purchase spares for my Vintage Austin.
They are always booked solid 2-3 weeks advance booking required. Its a pity all garages are not run to the same lines (altho 3 weeks is a long time to wait if car is daily user)
If you run your business like this its hard to see how you could fail. Old classic's going off the road for the winter now are sending off bits by parcel for repair / restoration, like electrical components.
They are always booked solid 2-3 weeks advance booking required. Its a pity all garages are not run to the same lines (altho 3 weeks is a long time to wait if car is daily user)
If you run your business like this its hard to see how you could fail. Old classic's going off the road for the winter now are sending off bits by parcel for repair / restoration, like electrical components.
crankedup said:
classic's going off the road for the winter ....
VSCC style ...
Much of the classic scene is either based on locality, or reputation. How much goodwill do you get with the sale, or do you just get an empty barn?
tvrgaas said:
classic's going off the road for the winter ....
VSCC style ...
Much of the classic scene is either based on locality, or reputation. How much goodwill do you get with the sale, or do you just get an empty barn?
Looks a little like my local road.
Incorrigible said:
where abouts is this likely to be as it may be useful to know if you do take it on?
West Sussex, I was a welder/painter at the last place I worked, would hope not to be doing that full time, there is a spray booth at this place though so that makes it a little less uncomfortable
Breaking and parts is a distinct possiblility, there's loads of space
West sussex is good as I live in north east hampshire.
Breaking cars sounds like a good idea, but wont modern regs get in the way?
Keep us informed on progress, I may well be round for a respray if the price is right.
tvrgaas said:There's no chance of passing trade, as it is in the middle of no-where
Much of the classic scene is either based on locality, or reputation. How much goodwill do you get with the sale, or do you just get an empty barn?
Goodwill, indeed. How on earth do you measure that. Storage is part of the bussiness and there are a few existing customers (cars already there) and an huge client data base
Worth a bit
or nothing at all if they never come back I had a good look round trhis morning (cold light of day) and it's not as much of a lemon as I was expecting
and then some more Nick_F said:Odd you should say that, but there's a Healy 3000, an Aston coming in next week for MOT work and the last major mechanical overhaul was an XK
Pure speculation, but unless your prospective customer base is made up of E-Type/Healey 3000/Aston DB owners and above then I reckon you'll struggle to make a living.
N.
I know what you mean, people with cheaper cars expect the same amount of work for less money.
The hours/people/cash thing works out OK, it's just generating enough businesss I'm worried about
Not too keen on struggle though
Good luck with it. On the one hand doing old cars for a living can be a bit like being paid to do your hobby. On the other hand if you are dependent on the income it can become more like work. And if you have hired help, there are all the personnel issues to deal with.
A couple in a nearby town has a British car business, parts, service, storage, restoration. They seem to be having a good time, they understand each other, but they are not getting rich. They do excellent work and are reasonably priced, but they tend not to have big projects done at the originally promised time. Now, maybe that's just them.
A downfall of the car hobby business is you are dependent on people's disposable income - I buy parts for my VW day in day out because I use it to go to work. My M3 and MG see less use and if they need something expensive, I'll put that off if money is tight.
Now having said that, if your clientale is reasonably wealthy, maybe they will spend at least some all the time. If the storage people are paying on time that's dependable income.
At any rate - good luck!
A couple in a nearby town has a British car business, parts, service, storage, restoration. They seem to be having a good time, they understand each other, but they are not getting rich. They do excellent work and are reasonably priced, but they tend not to have big projects done at the originally promised time. Now, maybe that's just them.
A downfall of the car hobby business is you are dependent on people's disposable income - I buy parts for my VW day in day out because I use it to go to work. My M3 and MG see less use and if they need something expensive, I'll put that off if money is tight.
Now having said that, if your clientale is reasonably wealthy, maybe they will spend at least some all the time. If the storage people are paying on time that's dependable income.
At any rate - good luck!
There are a lot of people in the classic car game - the trouble is that for many of them it is just that. There are precious few that I would entrust my P&Js too - if you're good and charge a fair price I wouldn't expect getting the work would be your problem.
I have a couple of clients in the classic car business if you want a natter about how they market themselves drop me line.
I have a couple of clients in the classic car business if you want a natter about how they market themselves drop me line.
I dont own a classic car, but an older 'enthusiasts' car, a Mk2 Escort with Pinto, twin carbs, leaf springs and the like - not a million miles away from older TRs, AM's etc..
I doubt it's where the money is, but I have trouble finding garages that are bothered/used to working with cars that are a little bit different. Anything that involves a bit of initiative (like they cant just look in a book for numbers or ring motor factors) seems beyond them. I can do most of the work myself, but sometimes you have to take it to a garage (MOT's, tracking, rolling roads))
Whether this is a gap in the market or just there's no money there I dont know, but I would be willing to pay that little bit extra for a garage that knows and respects older cars... You are miles away though, so I doubt you'll ever get my custom!
I doubt it's where the money is, but I have trouble finding garages that are bothered/used to working with cars that are a little bit different. Anything that involves a bit of initiative (like they cant just look in a book for numbers or ring motor factors) seems beyond them. I can do most of the work myself, but sometimes you have to take it to a garage (MOT's, tracking, rolling roads))
Whether this is a gap in the market or just there's no money there I dont know, but I would be willing to pay that little bit extra for a garage that knows and respects older cars... You are miles away though, so I doubt you'll ever get my custom!
Hi Daz
Good to see you yesterday, sorry I didn't make the cafe. Roast at Matts too tempting
As everyone at VW yesterday knows, I've bought it
Gompo, I'd definitley be doing that sort of stuff mechanical and bodywork on anything that would be someones P&J
I'll be opening properly in the new year
Watch this space.......
Good to see you yesterday, sorry I didn't make the cafe. Roast at Matts too tempting
As everyone at VW yesterday knows, I've bought it
Gompo, I'd definitley be doing that sort of stuff mechanical and bodywork on anything that would be someones P&J
I'll be opening properly in the new year
Watch this space.......
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff