Prices

Sir,
With regard to the current trend in Veteran, Edwardian and Vintage car values, I must confess my astonishment at the editorial viewpoint of your otherwise excellent magazine, and also the views so expressed by your readers.

While not condoning the astronomic prices achieved in the unnatural atmosphere of the auction room, I do however feel that it is a good thing that first-class specimens of the more significant representatives of the heroic and classical periods of motoring history should fetch between one and two thousand pounds. If you could buy a “Ghost” or Hispano for a hundred or two, who would bother to restore and maintain them to their original glory. Until very recently a Bugatti in France was worth more as so much scrap metal than as a car. Ten to fifteen years ago Bentleys changed hands for very low sums at money, and what happened to them—dozens were “hotted up,” modified out of all recognition, thrashed, and then you saw the ad.—”3-litre for sale, or will break. . . .” Thank heaven you never see that now—they are too valuable.

I would like to point out that I cannot afford the cars of my dreams, but at least I can dream in safety, knowing that high values will preserve these cars for the years ahead, and, who knows—”Ernie” might come up!

Biddenden. H.R. Bower.