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If you’ve run out of room to collect classic cars, the next best thing is to build up a collection of old motoring memorabilia – known as automobilia – which can come in all shapes and sizes.

For some people, it’s just a hobby – a way of decking out their garage or workshop perhaps, or a nostalgic world that they can dive into and get lost for a few hours. For others, going on the hunt for automobilia is a means of making money – and believe us when we say there is some serious money to be made in this game if you know what you’re looking for.

A case in point is chairman and founder of H&H Classics vehicle auctions, Simon Hope, who recently sold off his massive collection of Matchbox toy cars for a figure in excess of £300,000. However, he had been building up his collection of more than 3,000 cars and trucks since he was a young boy. Somehow, he managed to ensure the toys remained practically untouched, having not been allowed to run the cars over his grandma’s mahogany dining table.

However, we must warn you that many collectors don’t manage to make a mint off their automobilia collections – but often that doesn’t matter, they’re just happy to have the hobby and be surrounded by these memories and artefacts of the past.

If you are lucky enough to be a collector of classic cars, don’t forget to ensure that you have them all covered with classic car insurance. And double check that your home insurance covers any valuable collections – of Matchbox toys or otherwise.

If you’ve never considered collecting before but like the sound of building up a stack of old motoring memorabilia, this article will give you somewhere to start. Let’s first look at the sorts of automobilia that you can find out there…

1. Accessories

Collectable accessories make a good entry point into the hobby – the variety of material available in this field means you can quickly build up an impressive collection. However, sometimes it pays to decide on a ‘specialism’ – something that ties all your accessory items together – but that only really matters if you want to make some money from your collection in the future.

If you just want to collect anything that tickles your fancy, then you don’t have to think about its resale value. We’d suggest going down the novelty route to add a bit of colour to your garage or workshop. There is some great stuff to be found from those bygone eras when daft ideas were seemingly regularly greenlit.

If you do want to make a pretty penny from buying and selling, however, performance and tuning accessories are often sought after by classic car owners for obvious reasons – they want to maximise the potential of their vintage motor either because they aim to get it on the track or simply to show it off at a meet.

2. Spare parts

Granted, collecting spare parts isn’t the sexiest hobby – but there is some good money to be made from doing so, especially if you end up in possession of a rare part which an owner just so happens to desperately need to restore their classic to its former glory.

However, it’s not only restorers who go looking for spare parts – there are some people who just collect spare parts to display in their garage. For example, a collection of old car bulbs, when all lined up in their original packaging, can look impressive, and they don’t take up much room either.

Chrome or stainless-steel grilles are also popular with collectors simply because they make a nice display and can double-up as a background for a collection of enamel motoring-related badges.

If you do begin collecting spare parts, our advice is to ensure you stick to one thing – be it a particular marque or model or a specific part – not only because it will help you focus your search but it makes for a better story when discussing your collection with other enthusiasts.

3. Advertising

There has been some iconic automobile advertising over the years. While it can often be a little beige today, in the 1950s and 60s it was much more fun, which led to some brilliant campaign posters.

Advertising collectibles are period pieces in the sense that they perfectly sum up that moment in time in the typography, colours, names and so on. When framed, they can look fantastic adorning the walls of your study, especially if the ad reflects a car you’ve got on the drive!

As you might expect, original sales posters are hot property and keenly sought after by enthusiasts, especially if they are in good condition without any creases, folds and rips. That said, a bit of wear and corrosion on an old tin sign can add a bit of character to the piece and show it to be an original. 

4. Literature

If you’re a keen reader, then collecting old motoring literature can be very rewarding. What you choose to read depends on what’s of interest, of course – for some collectors, it’s a particular make or model, while others like to put themselves in the headspace of a particular era.

Books not only attract collectors but researchers and classic car owners who want to learn more about a particular model or mode of transport. Manuals and part lists are also sought after for maintenance and restoration reasons.

It’s not only factual books which carry interest for collectors, either – there are many interesting fiction books to be found in the second-hand market which arguably give the best insight into previous generations’ relationship with the automobile. While for many people now, a car is simply a means of getting from A to B, it’s not always been that way, as we’re sure we don’t need to tell you.

The work of cartoonists such as Russell Brockbank are worth seeking out, too, who wonderfully captured the times in which they worked.

5. Toys

We’ve already touched on the appeal of motoring-related toys – we’re all big kids at heart, aren’t we? Pretty much every car enthusiast can remember the exact car toys they used to play with as children, and there is some serious nostalgic value in trying to find them again if you haven’t held onto them.

If you’re looking to build up a toy collection that’s worth some decent money, you’ve got to be on the lookout for those short-lived toys which either didn’t catch on at the time or were brought out as limited editions. You’re going to need one heck of a slice of luck to find them, though, as they’re usually snapped up by collectors and squirrelled away, ready to be brought back out in 10 years’ time when their value has sky-rocketed. 

If little toy cars don’t quite do it for you, then pedal cars might. Vintage pedal cars have become hugely desirable and valuable. You can easily spend thousands of pounds on a toy replica of something like an Austin Pathfinder.

A pedal car can be a restoration project in itself. Most vintage pedal cars and tractors were built from low grade mild steel and have considerable corrosion as a result. But, if you’re handy with metalwork, you could turn its fortunes around, and have a small fortune on your hands should you wish to take it to auction. Pre-war pedal cars are like gold dust, so if you manage to get your hands on one, you could be onto a winner. 

Sitting somewhere between toy cars and pedal cars are model kits by companies such as Revell, Airfix and Tamiya. Many collectors are on the lookout for original untouched and unassembled kits. It might seem like a waste, but these are the ones which command the most value.

6. Obscure items

If you haven’t got a particular affinity with any item, you might want to go down the obscure route and collect something that is completely out of the left field. People have been known to collect everything from traffic cones to spark plugs, eagerly hunting down obscure examples, becoming something of an expert in their specialism.

Stickers, cigarette/trading cards, car radios… people will collect anything. And why not? If it’s something you can lose a few hours doing and it brings you a buzz when you find an item that will help to complete your collection, then we’re all for it.

Starting your own collection

If you like the sound of becoming a collector of automobilia, we can help steer you in the right direction when buying your first item. There are now many ways of going about building up your collection – here are just a few of the places you might want to start:

• Matt's Automobilia

Matt Beale of Matt’s Automobilia is believed to have the UK's biggest motoring memorabilia collection with some 2,000 motoring artefacts – and everything has a price. Incredibly, he only started his business up nine years ago – it just goes to show how quickly you can build up a collection when you’ve caught the bug!

Almost all of the collection is original, with the most popular items including petrol pump globes, tool cabinets, promotional garage thermometers, tyre pumps and signs. His business has seen increased interest during lockdown, with people trying to find a hobby to fill their time.

• Vintage Automobilia

Based in Exeter, Vintage Automobilia are specialists in a wide range of garage and motoring memorabilia, supplying both private collectors and corporate clients alike.

Vintage Automobilia also restore items, particularly vintage petrol pumps and other garage equipment – so if you have found an item that you think could be worth a fortune if it was restored to its full potential, then you might want to let Vintage Automobilia loose on it to work their magic. Likewise, if you have a piece that you want to sell, Vintage Automobilia might take it off your hands or simply offer you a valuation. 

• The Memorabilia Experience

If you’re an F1 fan, then a visit to The Memorabilia Experience website is a must. Claiming to have some of the most unique items on the market, it has race-used helmets, visors, gloves, and boots from everyone from Ayrton Senna to Lewis Hamilton.

If you’ve managed to get your hands on a piece of F1 automobilia history, The Memorabilia Experience can help you to sell it for its full value by tapping into its extensive network of collectors.

• Auction houses

From smaller auctioneers like Bangers and Cash’s Mathewsons, to the big names of Bonhams and Sotheby’s are always selling automobilia – check their websites for those days which are dedicated to these types of collections. Just make sure you’re carrying a well-stocked wallet on the day!

Of course, online auction websites like eBay are full of gems, providing you know what you’re looking for – just make sure you check the seller’s reviews to ensure you’re not being sold something that’s different to what’s described.

Happy hunting!

Protect your investment with classic car insurance

If you’re lucky enough to be a collector of classic cars, as well as automobilia, you’re going to need specialist classic car insurance to match.

Lancaster Insurance is the classic car insurance broker of choice for classic vehicle owners across the country, historic and retro vehicles, from MGs to Land Rovers and everything in between.

Choosing classic car insurance from Lancaster means you get a range of benefits and discounts including:

• Static show cover
• Historic rally cover
• Salvage retention
• 90 days free EU cover
• Limited mileage discounts

We can also offer a 25% discount for members of certain car clubs around the UK. Ask the team when you get a quote.

You’ll also have access to our 24-hour claims line so if you do have an issue, our experienced team will be on hand to help.

Get a quote for classic car insurance today.