Author: Paul Cowland
Don’t discount that automatic classic just yet, says Cowland… it might very well be the future…
Recently, as I’ve perused the halls of classic car auctions, I’ve noticed the miniscule beginnings of a definite trend; automatic classics are starting to make their way onto the market with much greater regularity. And interestingly, when they do, assuming the usual constants of mileage, history, condition and price, they’re becoming ever-more popular.
Generally speaking, up until this point, many automatic classics have been a commodity that’s been a little harder to shift, if you’ll pardon the pun, than their manual counterparts. Other than enthusiasts who perhaps need to go down that route for mobility or comfort reasons, most classic car buyers like to look back to a time where you had to turn on your own lights, tune in your own radio stations and select your own gears. It’s a huge part of the appeal of a classic, to many of us.
But these days, where I’d once wince at the sight of a ‘slushbox’, I’m starting to wander over to the car in question and see whether it’s something I should add to my own collection or to a client’s stocklist…
Because it’s not just gears that are changing of their own accord. Driver’s tastes are, too.
‘What Car‘ magazine revealed in March of 2024 that there has been a massive 283% increase in the popularity of automatic-only tests compared to just ten years ago, and that if things continue at the rate they’re going, we’ll very soon see a situation where more people choose to take their test in automatic-only form, than elect to endow themselves with the ability to drive a manual car in future.
It makes a great deal of sense when you think about it. The disaffected youth of today will look at the new car sales vista, or even the 5-10 year old marketplace, and realise, very quickly, that a fair-sized chunk of the cars available to buy are either hybrid or EV. Neither of which require your left hand to do very much indeed, other than indicate. And if you’ve chosen a BMW or Audi hybrid, even that appears to be optional… if my 50,000 annual motorway miles are anything to go by.
It is clear then, that our next generation of potential classic car owners may not even be able to drive more than half the cars on sale in the marketplace today, and that’s something that we should all think about, going forward. Will they want classics at all? If they do, are they prepared to retrain to drive them? And if not, will they be looking for automatic, older cars instead?
Classic car values are always driven by supply and demand. Prices for manual examples of cars like the Porsche 911 have always eclipsed TipTronic prices on most models, simply because a higher demand meets a smaller supply. Fast forward 10 years, and you might possibly find a similar amount of cars, but with less people looking to self-shift. And guess what happens to the values of those cars then?
It’s an interesting conundrum that I’m intrigued to watch play out. And if you’re thinking of dipping your toe in the classic car market and you’re wondering which way to jump, I can heartily recommend a few classic choices that should be safe bets either way. Cars that are generally preferred as autos, irrespective of market conditions could be a sensible refuge for your cash, and easy to flip at the end, irrespective of your potential purchaser’s licence credentials.
Big Mercs and Rovers are always a ‘self shift’ must. Ditto most Jaguar, Rolls and Bentley saloons, of any era, and anything that has a whiff of ‘waft’ about it. Even ‘sports’ cars like the Jag XK, Mercedes SL and motors like the Maserati 3200 GT will sell in automatic form, simply because the people that buy them just want to cruise. That said, an automatic Mini can make a superb city commuter, and the desire to own a leather-clad, original Renault Clio Baccara, which is as close to the French ideal of a little limo as it’s possible to get, never diminishes. So, even smaller cars can be highly desirable with only two pedals.
And, when it comes to American stuff, of course, the default setting as almost always automatic. The US culture to drive in comfort and convenience has been there since the 1950s, and with so many of their sports and muscle cars coming in self-shifting trim, there will always be plenty to choose from.
My own kids are just getting to driving test age now. Amber, my eldest, has flown through her manual test, first time, with flying colours and now enjoys the rifle-like perfection of her NC MX-5 for the daily commute, and Poppy, our youngest, has already earmarked a stick-shift New Beetle as her automotive squeeze in a year’s time. Good job, really. With a garage full of toys for them to try in the future, I’d have been gutted for them if they legally couldn’t have driven two thirds of my collection! Plus, a Manual Licence doesn’t preclude future Automatic ownership, of course.
As for me, I’ll try to choose the right gearbox for the journey required. If it’s track or fast road work, I’ll take a manual. If it’s traffic or a leisurely cruise I’ll opt for an auto. And for those times when I can’t quite decide, I’ll take my Renault 5 with the badly adjusted gear linkage. Because, while it’s technically a manual, when it comes to gear selection, it very much does its own thing…
Do you think automatic classics will rise in value as manual driving fades from the mainstream? Or will manuals always hold the crown for enthusiasts? Share your thoughts below.
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