Sheer Greed

Sir,

For the first time in years I was late buying Motor Sport, otherwise this would have arrived earlier.

I write to applaud the letter from Brian Carson on “The Downward Vintage Trend”.

Thank God a true enthusiast has had the courage to write so well what a lot of us have thought for ages. The vintage car and its off-shoots have been so exploited by the traders that one needs a bottomless pit of money to even buy a car these days.

When such vehicles are sold by auctioneers who normally deal with antiques of great value, it only serves to falsely push up the price.

To a true enthusiast it is the engineering and design which is most important, not the profit. It i sad to say that the vintage and thoroughbred scene is now commanded by those with only a need for greed. Investment, collector’s items, concours and much-sought-after is all part of the jargon.

Some years ago it was side-splittingly amusing to read the private ads in Motor Sport; all written by true motorists who loved their cars. There was talk of haggling about the price over a pint, and remarks like “for sale to the enthusiast only”. True friendships were born, and such cars were sold reluctantly because of marriage, additions to family or simply ageing bones—certainly not for an outrageous profit.

The same thing has happened in the steam world, old bicycles and, to some degree, motorcycles.

Isn’t it a shame that money is always attracted to those who already have more of it than sense?

Albrighton L. LAWRENCE