As the warmer weather starts to emerge from the very cold snows of the recent past I look forward to seeing more and more people taking their pride and joy out for a spin. And I don’t mean the other half. I am referring to the car that is kept in the garage for special occasions.
Some of these will be classic and others simply older cars with enough historical interest to be collectable and worth preserving or restoring rather than scrapping.
Again, it depends who you ask. The closest thing we have to a cut-off date is currently the 1st of January 1978 – cars built before this particular day don’t incur vehicle excise duty. This is a rolling date but it offers something approaching a government definition of ‘classic’.
It’s still not very specific, though, and plenty of people would argue that there are cars built after 1977 that currently qualify as ‘classic’. The MG B GT, the MkII Escort, and the Golf GTI all fall into that category. Is there a more workable definition?
Maybe Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs might be the answer? They see as ‘classic’ any car that is worth £15,000 or more, and aged 15 years or older. This combination of price and age is the closest we have to a metric of desirability – if a fifteen-year-old car commands a price of £15,000, it’s probably something pretty interesting.
Our particular favourite is the Mazda MX-5 Mk1 although we suspect that it will be some time before they fall into HMRC’s definition. We own two of these having restored them from the original scruffy state. However, I am always on the lookout for more.
This is a sister company that shares the same premises with us. It specialises in older car restoration and are particularly seeking Mazda MX-5 Mk1s especially as they have been able to build up reasonable stock of spares.
So, if you or your friends do own one please let us know. Even if it is not in road worthy condition I would be happy to have a look although it would be best to send me a few photos in the first instance.
We serve a fairly wide area from Farnham including Tilford, Frensham, Churt, Headley, Headley Down, Lindford, Bordon, Kingsely, Alton, Crondall, Church Crookham, Fleet, Aldershot, Farnborough, Camberley.
If the cars are located outside of these areas then please phone us to discuss your requirements.
Looking to restore a classic car? We’d love to help! Get a free quote today and bring your classic car back to life.
When it comes to classic car restoration, experience and passion make all the difference. At Bumps & Scuffs, we don’t just repair cars, we treat every project as if it were our own pride and joy. With years of hands-on expertise, we’ve built a reputation in Farnham and across Surrey and Hampshire for high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Our workshop combines traditional restoration skills with modern techniques, ensuring your vehicle not only looks stunning but performs at its best for years to come. Whether you’re looking to preserve an original classic, bring a much-loved MX-5 back to life, or simply need advice on your next restoration project, our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help.
Clients choose us because we’re approachable, honest, and deeply enthusiastic about classic cars. From sourcing rare parts to carrying out full restorations, you can trust us to keep your vehicle in safe hands.
Telephone: 01252 217087
Email: [email protected]
