A decline in new car sales, despite modern motors brimming with state-of-the-art technology, contrasts to increased interest in classic car driving experiences as motorists yearn to get back to basics.
And while some new cars can have as many as 50 buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard, it is bookings for classic cars as old as 40 years or more, and with basic controls, that are burgeoning as exasperated drivers have had enough of modern technology which is hampering the driving experience.
Indeed, 2018 looks set to be deeply worrying for sales of new cars, with last September, in particular, being disastrous as it was the worst September for 10 years, with the allure of state-of-the-art motoring not even tempting drivers to part with their cash.
Even more recently, October figures show an almost 3 per cent decline compared to the same month in 2017.
This is in contrast to an increase in classic car driving experiences, plus the actual prices of some classic cars, which now fetch astronomical prices compared to their modern equivalents.
Dan Jones, operations manager at www.trackdays.co.uk, said: “New cars boast state-of-the-art technology and are more akin to being computers on wheels.
“However, many people find all the buttons and touch-screen technology confusing and distracting, plus it takes away from the pure driving experience which can only come through driving a classic car.”
Fast Fords from the 1980s and 1990s, in particular, continue to demand high prices.
Only recently a 1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 fetched a world-record price at auction, being sold for more than £50,000. Compare this to a modern equivalent, the Focus RS, with all the latest gizmos and gadgets, which is available for just over £30,000.
Dan added: “It would appear that motorists are turning their backs to the future. Getting behind the wheel of a classic car can provide a driving experience in its purest form, allowing the car to do the talking rather than relying on modern technology.”
