HCVA Heritage Matters – Attracting The Next Generation

Photography by Gun Hill Studios

The average age of a Historic vehicle owner in the UK is now over 65. This is a problem for the future. Held on 14th October 2025, the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA)’s fifth Heritage Matters Insight Day was dedicated to the pertinent topic of attracting the next generation of classic vehicle owners and specialists.

Held at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works near Coventry, this event provided an opportunity to hear the thoughts and findings of top industry figures on bringing more young people to the classic vehicle industry.

In the HCVA’s own words, the not-for-profit organisation is “dedicated to ensuring the survival of classic cars and the industries that support them against numerous challenges – including DVLA registration issues, the future of viable fuels, post-Brexit changes and unsuitable environmental legislation.”

These are all causes close to our hearts and vital to the survival of our industry, so Car & Classic is proud to be amongst the HCVA’s founding members.

Quick Summary:

– While fewer young people own classic vehicles, this does not necessarily imply a significant decline in interest.

– A love of classics is less likely to be driven by nostalgia; it’s no longer just about revisiting the cars of people’s youth.

– Classic vehicle events bridge the generational gap, bringing people of all ages together.

– The definition of ‘Classic’ is becoming broader to encompass ‘youngtimers’/‘modern classics,’ and ‘restomods.’

– The dynamic aspect of classics is essential to ensure the next generation is attracted to the industry.

– We need to facilitate classic ownership through accessible finance and insurance options.

– The engineering side and social scene are significant draws for younger people.

– To ensure the industry’s survival, older generations must also learn from the younger generation.

On the pressing matter of attracting the next generation, the HCVA says:

“As the voice of the classic car industry, we and our members are acutely aware that there is a pressing need for more skilled restorers, repairers and technicians. We are very concerned that we need to get more young people recognising and appreciating that a career in classic car restoration is a viable option for the future. As more older engineers retire, we risk losing their skills and knowledge unless they can be passed on to the next generations.”

It goes without saying that attracting the next generation is vital to ensure the survival of the classic vehicle industry. The situation in which we find ourselves is far more nuanced than merely suggesting younger generations are less interested in classic vehicles. A certain degree of decline is perhaps inevitable, but the reality is far more complex. There are arguably more barriers to classic car ownership today than ever before, chief among which is the fact that young people today typically have significantly less disposable income than their parents and grandparents did at the same age. This means there are thousands of young people who would very much like to own a classic vehicle, but simply cannot justify the expense of even learning to drive, let alone acquiring a classic.

The same goes for working in the classic vehicle industry. To ensure their future, employers need to offer competitive apprenticeships and graduate schemes to attract fresh blood. Often, young people who get involved benefit from a family history in the industry or come from a sufficiently privileged background that supports their desire to work in a field they are passionate about rather than chase a top salary. The older demographic can make the classic vehicle industry seem unwelcoming, old-fashioned, even ‘stuffy’. We need to embrace the new ways in which young people can get involved, and the fact that the definition of a ‘classic’ has continued to evolve beyond those forty-plus-year-old vehicles termed ‘Historic’ by the DVLA.

This is an exciting time for young people to join the industry, with excellent opportunities for developing heritage skills and exploring new online media outlets, most notably YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Indeed, it was refreshing to hear some new insights into why classic vehicle ownership is becoming predominantly the preserve of older people. The panel discussed barriers to ownership while also celebrating the increasing involvement of young people in the industry, interviewing several successful young individuals in diverse roles.

Attracting The Next Generation – A Closer Look:

The event kicked off proceedings with Compère Paul Cowland interviewing Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director Dominic Elms. The JLR Classic Boss remarked that it was the responsibility of OEMs and industry specialists to offer opportunities for younger generations to experience classic vehicles first-hand. “The dynamic aspect of classics is essential”, he said, suggesting that young people need to see and feel these cars being used, not just lined up in a field as they would be at your typical car show.

“OEMs should play a critical role”, Elms went on, adding, “we will be much stronger if we can come together”.

Jaguar Land Rover is unusual in that it operates such an extensive heritage collection and workshop facility, which also caters to customers’ cars. While not the only brand to celebrate its heritage, JLR is clearly more invested in preserving its past than most. We were lucky enough to have a tour of JLR Classic’s incredible collection and wonderful workshop facilities later in the day.

We asked Dominic Elms about his perception of the future of classic car ownership, to which he replied that accessible finance and insurance would need to play a more significant role, while collections should also take care of these cars, allowing people to enjoy them on a subscription or hire basis. This idea was also revisited by HCVA CEO Dale Keller, who pondered the possibility of future classic car driving becoming “a fun one-off” versus the traditional ownership proposition.

The first panel discussion brought together experts in vintage and veteran motorcars, a sector of the classic car market that has arguably been the most negatively affected by evolving trends over the past few years. Tania Brown of the Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC) and Autohistoric’s Michelle Hunter and Gregg May were all optimistic about the future. The VSCC’s commendably full events calendar is allowing young people to participate in trials, hill climbs, and rallies. Such events are crucial to ensure that these older cars continue to be driven, as many are likely to spend less time on the road due to the ever-quickening pace of modern traffic.

London to Brighton era-eligible cars, those manufactured before 1905, are reportedly becoming more accessible. In reference to the appeal of early vehicles, Guy Loveridge from the National Motor Museum noted that “younger people are fascinated by the difference”. In the same vein, HCVA’s Dale Keller emphasised that craftsmanship and heritage are also important to Gen Z. For those who are keen to get hands-on, Tania Brown extolled the virtues of Austin Seven ownership, stating, “pre-war cars have lasted this long, you’re not going to hurt it by playing with it.”

After a coffee break, the following panel discussion featured four young people who work with classic vehicles, sharing their stories and views on revitalising the industry. Online media platforms were discussed at length, with a particular focus on the evolution of YouTube. Production values are now very high, as videography technology has become more accessible. Successful ‘YouTubers’ find their audience rather than cast the net wide and fish for views and likes. People are increasingly consuming YouTube content on their televisions, which is replacing traditional programming, creating numerous opportunities for young content creators.

Car & Classic’s Commitment:

Here at Car & Classic, we recognise the ever-changing nature of the classic vehicle movement, ensuring our auction and classifieds platform is accessible to enthusiasts of all ages and budgets. Our business benefits from a diverse team bridging generations of enthusiasts and experts. We champion all interesting vehicles from 1890 to 2025, and as a founding member of the HCVA, we care deeply about securing the future of historic motoring.

Events like the HCVA’s Heritage Matters Insight Days allow our community to come together, discuss our concerns and celebrate our successes. The latest instalment was thoroughly enjoyable and insightful, made better still by its location at JLR Classic’s impressive facility. We eagerly look forward to attending the HCVA’s next Heritage Matters Insight Day.