{"id":35776,"date":"2026-04-28T18:42:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/?p=35776"},"modified":"2026-04-29T16:34:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:34:47","slug":"how-the-classic-vehicle-industry-is-changing-hcva-heritage-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/how-the-classic-vehicle-industry-is-changing-hcva-heritage-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"How The Classic Vehicle Industry is Changing – HCVA Heritage Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photography by Gun Hill Studios<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Over 150 people attended the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA<\/a>)\u2019s sixth Heritage Matters Insight Day, entitled \u2018Unlocking Barriers to Success\u2019. The day\u2019s discussions explored how the classic vehicle industry is changing, and how businesses in this sector can adapt to the modern world, shifting market trends, and an evolving customer profile.<\/p>\n

The event was held at Brooklands Museum in Surrey, the world’s first purpose-built banked motor racing circuit, which hosted the inaugural British Grand Prix in 1916 and saw numerous early speed and endurance records set. The site also played a key role in British aviation history, hosting the first public flying display in 1909 and becoming a major aircraft manufacturing centre throughout much of the twentieth century. <\/p>\n

Today, Brooklands is a thriving museum with 180,000 annual visitors and around 15,000 active members. Motoring activity returned in 2017, 110 years since Brooklands first opened, and the Heritage Skills Academy (HSA) operates a major training site on the premises.<\/p>\n

A fitting place then to hold a conference on the future of the historic vehicle sector.    <\/p>\n

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HCVA Heritage Matters – Unblocking Barriers to Success: Quick Summary<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

– Vehicle ownership is more relevant in the historic sector in a world of impermanence.<\/p>\n

– Diversification is key for businesses in the historic vehicle sector, understanding customers\u2019 evolving wants and needs.<\/p>\n

– It\u2019s the employers\u2019 responsibility to create opportunities for young people to enter the sector.<\/p>\n

– The classic vehicle hobby is becoming more inclusive and intergenerational.<\/p>\n

– People have less free time and expect a curated ownership experience.<\/p>\n

– Britain\u2019s \u2018Historic\u2019 fleet is growing, thereby attracting more attention from policymakers.<\/p>\n

– Successive governments are fixated on electrification, but they should also consider sustainable fossil fuel alternatives.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/h3>\n

Alex Brundle: Classic car Ownership as a Proof of Concept for Improving a Society<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

British racing driver and broadcaster Alex Brundle delivered a keynote speech, offering a unique perspective on his generation\u2019s (Millennials\u2019) participation in historic motorsport, the opportunities and barriers young people face to entering the industry, and the positive role the historic vehicle sector plays in our society.<\/p>\n

He began by noting that vehicle ownership is more relevant in historic motorsport than in any other form of motor racing. When competing in modern machines, it\u2019s usually the case that the cars are managed by a team, and drivers\u2019 involvement typically starts and ends the minute they get into and step out of the car. In historic racing, owners typically drive and maintain their own cars. They know every detail intimately, from their carburettor jetting to their tyre pressures. <\/p>\n

Brundle spoke of the \u201cMillennial crisis with lack of ownership<\/em>\u201d, suggesting that the historic motorsport world has much to offer young people, enabling them to engage with a broader community through shared passion.<\/p>\n

Millennials typically don\u2019t own their home, their mobile phone, or indeed their cars. This subscription-based culture we live in, in Brundle\u2019s view, contributes to young people’s retreat into the digital world. To many, \u201ctheir Instagram feed is the only piece of real estate they will ever own<\/em>\u201d, Brundle said. <\/p>\n

A sad reality, perhaps, but it was encouraging to hear delegates explain throughout the day how employing young people and offering apprenticeships have worked out so well for both their businesses. The onus is on employers to create these opportunities with the help of organisations such as StarterMotor and the Heritage Skills Academy, both of which spoke at the event. <\/p>\n

Britain boasts some of the world\u2019s finest apprentice programmes in this field, and also some of the most diverse motorsport opportunities, with everything from Goodwood to grass-roots banger racing.<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Diversifying for Success: Adapting for a Changing Market<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

The panel:<\/p>\n