Here at Barnes HQ we have had some extended building work taking place - this has rather interrupted normal service of finding Classic Cars and getting them ready for resale with confidence that they are what they say they are. The good news is that we are now back online with a Morris 1000 up for sale which is soon to be followed  by a nice example of a late MG Midget.

Take a browse around the site - if you have a car for sale or would like to see our cars then please drop us a line.

We hope to meet you soon in the rebuilt house!

Happy motoring

This is a great higher end product that serves as one of the ultimate storage solutions for your classic car (or any other car....)

When you factor the cost of monthly off site storage then the cost of one of these great units, sited at your home so you can take the car out on a lovely day, pays for itself within a year or so. It can be fully automated, back lit, sized to suit and does not need planning permission in most cases.  These units look great and perform very well - we were very impressed as well by the marketing manager who has a real passion for Classic Cars. 

You can find all the details here - well worth a call and a friendly chat on 01371 877720 or take a browse/'gaze' at www..gazeboxuk.com

Let Peter know you heard it hear first and secure a great deal with a free no pressure site survey.

So now, you can get that Classic because you have storage for it :)

​Happy motoring!

We are very excited about the lighter nights and classic car shows getting up and running - the winter is a miserable time for classic cars! We have a few little gems available at the moment - from a 1989 Maestro (remember them? Less than 30 left of our model!) to a very good condition Moggie and a few project cars - we find there is a market for everything...

We plan to take the Maestro to the classic car shows and we plan to enter for concourse - it is that good., It has 44k and 3 owners with a full history from new - drives really well and for our director Chris is a time machine - back in the late 80's it was a family car that went as far as France on holiday and when we spotted it for sale it had to be bought! 

We continue to search for every man classics at reasonable prices so keep any eye for what we find next.

​Happy spring time and happy motoring!

Merry Christmas! It is an exciting time here at Barnes Classic Cars - the new year will see a return to full time operation at our HQ in Great Dunmow, Essex. We will be stocking up over the next few months in preparation for a busy spring and summer season. We are always looking for good examples of classic cars - especially Morris and MG models. If you would like a valuation please get in touch - you may be surprised how much we offer with same day payment and prompt collection. May your days all be merry and bright.... See you in the New Year - happy motoring.

Currently we have two Morris Minors for sale and a Porsche Boxster - very different ends of the spectrum!

However, one of the Morris' is an early model which has had a lot of work done - it is now running a 1275cc engine through the standard 4 speed box. It is a fast little car - it keeps up with everyday traffic whilst looking like an early 948cc model. It is not often you can use one of these cars everyday but we are having lots of fun popping to the shops and back and even raising a few eyebrows when overtaking!

With many more vehicles coming up this year and a new premises on the horizon keep an eye on our progress - you might just be surprised! Happy motoring... even in these bleak winter days. It is only now we are missing the evenings still being 20 degrees,,.. 

One of the best bits about running a Classic Car business is finding those hidden treasures. We have recently purchased a lovely 1961 Morris 1000 who has been with the last owner since 1983. This owner bought the car from the first owner. This little gem was fully rebuilt between 2008 and 2010 and the attention to detail is outstanding. It has never been in the rain since its rebuild and repaint and it is immaculate. The underneath is also like a showroom car and everything was replaced when it was restored. Finished in gleaming black with a red leather interior this little Moggie is a real find and we hope to find it a good home - it is a show stopper! Keep following us for more details and pics later this week. Happy motoring!

Following the birth of two little Barnes' we have had a quiet few months here at hq. However, from January we will be back full time buying and providing our clients with excellent examples of everyday classic and modern sports cars.

The market has seen some bumpy times over the last year but we think it is starting to level out and return to form. Classic cars are still a great investment - what else can you put money in to, enjoy and then maybe see a rise in value? With banks and building societies only giving around one percent on savings a diversified portfolio could well be the way forward. Having something solid to look at and enjoy has never made more sense...

The 'modern classic' market is growing well. The demand for those 80s and 90s classics continues to rise as those of a certain age look to relive those heady days... indeed if we could find a 1985 XR2 it would be hard to part with. We will be looking for future classics as well - we feel that a head turning, low mileage well presented car is always a sound proposition. 

Using our contacts and attending as many events as possible we will continue to bring interesting finds and links to the website so please give us a like or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/barnesclassiccars) to see what we have found!

If you are selling a vehicle then give us a try - you may be surprised as we value repeat custom and fairness in all our deals. 

Stay tuned for progress folks...

Is anyone looking forward to the spring yet?.We have been looking at the numerous shows on this year and we are carefully planning weekends away. The Warren Country and Golf Club in Maldon, Essex has regular breakfast meetings throughout the spring and summer and we have joined their Classic Car Club - well worth the cost for a stunning setting and lovely breakfast meeting with like minded car fans on six Sundays a year.

We have kept in the warm over the winter but we are starting to see a return to business as usual. We have sold our first car of the year last week - a lovely little 1960 Morris Minor. These 948cc cars are well made, look great and handle surprisingly well for a 60 year old car! We like them so much that this years focus on buying stock is Morris and MG brands. We hope to find some interesting vehicles of all shapes and sizes so please keep any eye on our progress.

Of course, from May this year cars older than 40 years will not need an MOT anymore to be used on the road. We will still have our cars tested as we think that not only is safety key but for a small amount of time and money you get a pretty good overview of the cars condition. If you are in the market for a classic make sure you find one that has been tested - or we are happy to view and assess for a car for you for a small fee. The peace of mind is invaluable.

So we find ourselves now able to buy a classic car, not have to MOT or tax it (as long as it is over 40 years old) and with very reasonable insurance. On a MGB or a Morris 1000 classic insurance for someone over 30 is usually around £100 a year. You can enjoy the car and the driving experience and it is very unlikely you will lose any money when you come to sell it. It really is, as the kids say, a 'no brainer'!

So if you are looking for something to do at weekends with the family or friends let us know and we will try and help you find your perfect classic car.

Happy motoring and stay tuned for progress!

As summer draws out we thought it time to reflect on the great times at the many shows and events we have been at this year (so far).

With the 'classic season' starting in the spring, we have met many people who share our passion for classic cars. Some are fellow owners, some are keen observers and some used to own what is now considered a 'classic' back when they were common place.

It is always nice to hear stories of classics being used as intended - when we went on our 'bottom gear' challenge this was brought to life with our modern classics. For those who missed it, it was a three day tour from Essex to Wales with an Alfa Romeo 156, a Rover 95, a Ford Puma and (although we are still not sure if this is a classic...) a Peugeot 206 cabriolet!

No doubt we will be heading out again next year so we are looking at ideas for routes. It has been suggested we head further afield - maybe France? As for vehicles it has been suggested that we need a vehicle that we can each sleep in - and cook in - for less than £1000. What would you choose?

If anyone out there is keen to get involved do let us know - last time we had a number of calls so with some forward planning we could get a large group together and maybe even raise some money for charity!

We have found this year that taking a blanket and picnic is a lovely way to spend a day at a classic car show and there is something for all the family to do - usually for less than £10 which in this day and age is a bargain!

So why not invest in a classic - the values can only go up if they are treated correctly -and then get involved in the shows here in Essex (and further afield). We are sure you will also meet some lovely people and the day will breeze away with stories and memories of yesteryear. 

With many vehicles from the 1990's (which seems like last week to us...) and before now gaining 'classic' status there is something for everyone out there so we look forward to chatting with you soon.

Happy motoring and remember - a heated garage is a very special place for both classic cars and those who like to tinker with them!

The hunt is always on! During our recent family trip to Portugal we were spotting many classics hiding away from the summer sun! In one dealership on the way from Faro airport we came across a Triumph Herald and a Triumph Spitfire. On the same journey we saw many many Renault 4's - question is now is whether there is a big enough demand for these in the UK? We are lucky enough to know someone who lives in Portugal so finding decent classics there and shipping them would not be a problem. This got us thinking - are classic cars the same in every country? In Portugal the Renault and the Beetle are everywhere so can they be counted as a classic? The Mercedes W123 is in everyday use - although usually fairly beat up diesel examples - so does this count? According to Philippa they are not classics but I think they are - how many do you see in this country? Does a classic have to be in mint condition?

We also had the discussion of whether it Is it a good idea to have a well built 'classic' as an everyday driver? If you look at the sums it adds up (I am accused of some man maths here...). Buy a w123 Mercedes for £1500. Have it serviced and checked. Replace anything that needs doing. Probably you will have invested £2500 all told. Get classic insurance for £100 a year. Pay lowest rate road tax of around £200 a year. In a diesel you should get around 30 - 40 mpg.

So to add it up you have invested £2800 and when you fancy a change on a few years trade it in with us or sell it and you should see most of your money back. Compare this to the leasing offers on new cars. Pay £2000 up front, £250 a month and then after three years (and a limited mileage of 6000 a year on a basic deal) you have spent £9000 and then you hand the car back and have nothing to show for your money. Why would you sit in a euro box - maybe even with a three cylinder motor like our hire car had - when you could cruise in a classic Merc? As someone once said YOLO (which apparently means You Only Live Once!)

So onto the hire car -also known as the fastest car in the world! We picked up a nearly new (less than 3k) VW 'Up' from the airport. With the three of us and five cases squeezed in we set of into the Portugal sun using a rather snazzy app on the phone and found our way to our hotel. The 3 cylinder VW strained its way up the hills and putted around finding its happy point at about 75 mph. To be fair it is a pretty decent little car - well built and with excellent air con - but again how much is one of these new? Could you really drive one everyday? Which brings us back to the Mercedes - trusted the world over! So I guess the ideal solution is to have a hire company at the airport which provides a range of 'classics' or 'used vehicle solutions' depending on the budget. If we could have hired a 1985 Mercedes that had been freshly serviced for £40 a day I know what I would have picked.... How about you? Anyone interested in setting up a hire fleet??

​Happy motoring!