The classic car hobby continued to grow in the UK even when the economy was plunged into the teeth of a recession. Its worth to the economy – both internally and through exports – and the number of people it directly employs have never been greater.
Those were the main findings as the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs revealed its latest research into the size and scale of the movement at the Houses of Parliament last night.
The title of the research document (below) – A £4 billion Hobby – sums up the rude health of the movement which, though growth slowed noticeably over the past five years, has on the whole escaped the ravages of the global recession.
Even then, the Federation warns that all is figures are conservative and the £4.3 billion generated a year may only be the tip of the iceberg.
Key findings of the report were:
- The historic vehicle movement generates £4.3 billion a year – up a billion on the 2006 figure – nearly £1 billion of it in exports.
- A total of 28,000 people earn a living directly from the classic car industry, up 1000 on five years ago.
- 41% of businesses expect to recruit more staff soon.
The survey also revealed a younger, more down to earth hobby than has been previously assumed. Plus, though more than 850,000 vehicles made before 1981 still survive, their environmental impact is minimal, with 82% of them used no more than twice a month and the entire hobby contributing only 0.24% of the UK's annual mileage.
The myth of classic cars as an exclusively wealthy hobby was also debunked, with 31% of historic vehicle owners having a total household income of under £25,000 and, despite the news headlines driven by megabucks classics, a mammoth 68% of classics being valued at under £10,000.
The Federation's research, masterminded by FBHVC vice president, Geoff Smith, was conducted in the summer, focusing on four groups: traders, its 500-plus member clubs, museums and individuals. There were more than 11,000 responses in total.
Some more interesting stats:
