The FEDERATION OF BRITISH HISTORIC VEHICLE CLUBS recently carried out a
survey into UK historic vehicle ownership. The key findings are:-
1. Over 650,000 vehicles made before 1977 are still in existence.
2. Some 64% (over 420,000) of those vehicles are both roadworthy and
licensed.
3. The vehicles are in the hands of over 260,000 owners.
4. 39% (of FBHVC member clubs' members) own one vehicle. 24% own two and
13% three. Over 7% own more than six.
5. Over 36% of owners cover under 1,500 miles annually in (any one of)
their old vehicles, while a further 31% cover between 1,500 and 3,000.
Thus, under a third of us cover more than 3,000 miles. Only 4% cover in
excess of 10,000 miles a year.
6. 33% or historic vehicles are used as regular transport (i.e., more
than three times a week).
7. Excluding fuel and insurance, 39% of us spend up to £500 per year per
vehicle; a further 40% spend between £500 and £2,000. Average annual
expenditure is £800.
8. Average annual fuel cost per vehicle is £420.
9. Average insurance cost per vehicle is £120.
10. There are over 4,000 businesses in the U.K. providing products and
services for the historic vehicle owner and others interested in old
vehicles.
11. The total gross turnover of these businesses was estimated at £1.6
billion in 1996, of which some £335 million was in exports.
12. The combined monthly readership of the top four historic vehicle
magazines is 2.6 million, of which one in five are women.
13. Other industry and activity generated by the movement includes
vehicle auctions, tourism, museums and libraries, all of which attract
overseas as well as domestic visitors.
14. Over 25,000 people - 85% of them full-time - earn their living
providing services and goods to serve those whose interests include
historic vehicles
Footnote - 33,000 members of FBHVC member clubs drive a modern vehicle
of the same marque as an historic vehicle they own. I'm willing to bet
that M.G. Car Club members represent a significant proportion of that
statistic.
Source:- MG Car Club via the MGCars Web site at WWW.MGCARS.ORG.UK
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