The following comes from the latest issue of Classic Car Weekly and provides more examples of what is happening. Sadly this government and the rest of Europe leaders care little about classic cars or motoring heritage and we are considered an insignificant minority of motorists:-
SCRAPPAGE HITS CLASSICS!
More than 20 roadworthy classics destroyed in first week!
The government's controversial scrappage scheme came into effect last week. Sadly, the scheme has already led to the demise of at least 22 roadworthy classics that we know of - and there are bound to be more, writes Peter Simpson.
It's important to note too that these cars cannot have been total basket cases or even restoration projects.To qualify for the scrappage scheme a car has to have an MoT and to have belonged to its current keeper for at least a year.
To date the oldest - and rarest-confirmed scrappage victim is a 1966 Austin 1100-the Mk1 version of which there are thought to be less than 20 left in roadworthy condition. Next oldest was a '1968 Morris Minor. Both these were traded in against new Hyundais. We understand that Hyundai dealers have also taken in an MGB, MG Midget, Jaguar XJS and XJ6 and Fiat X1/19-all clearly classic and in the case of the Fiat a rare one - along with an Austin (not Rover) Metro, Nissan 300ZX, and no fewer than six Mazda MX-5s and seven MGFs.
Elsewhere the Dealer Principal of a London Citroen franchise told Classic Car Weeky that his company had already scrapped a one owner from new Citroen XM Estate in "near mint" condition. The dealership did not want to do this-the principal is a 'very avid' classic Citroen enthusiast who has restored several cars himself; however the simple truth was that he is running a business and the £2000 combined government and manufacturer grants exceeded the car's market value. The scrappage money was also available instantly whereas finding a buyer would have taken time.
However he also pointed out that scrappage is by no means always the most cost-effective route to buying a new car; often a deal involving other discounts and/or a pre-registered delivery mileage car is better.
In fact many dealers are sympathetic to the cause of saving classics but finding themselves with no option but to scrap. Roadworthy, a highly reputable family-run Suzuki dealership in Bristol had an enquiry on a new Alto from someone wanting to 'scrappage' a genuine 40,000mile 1974 Vauxhall Magnum.
The Magnum was the wife's car and with advancing years she was finding it less suitable for her needs. The dealer attempted to save the car by listing it on eBay - however to match the scrappage offer the car had to sell for more than its market value, so at the time of writing it remains unsold though we understand the dealership is trying to broker a deal that will see the car saved. Sales Executive Andy Tait said that the Magnum is "far too nice and unusual to crush "though in his position he needs to be realistic, adding: "Beyond trying to sell this car there's nothing more we can do. If we don't accept the car as part of the scheme then another dealership will."
This was quote also found recently by "minirog" as posted by a Car Dealer and MINI/Mini fan on another forum:-
"We have an MG Midget and 2 classic Mini's coming in............... breaks my heart to be honest."
Edited by mab01uk, 03 June 2009 - 11:09 PM.
