Marques displayed at Robert Glover’s showrooms in Bicester Heritage are carefully chosen for their significance, originality and, of course, desirability.
‘The icing on the cake is if a car is really original,’ says Glover, a former international auctioneer at Bonhams, who has been attending motoring events for as long as he can remember. ‘There is a real pleasure in selling those cars where we get to paint a picture of their history.’
Glover oversaw sales of Edwardian, post-vintage, grand prix and racing cars at Bonhams, and brings this expertise to his business. Though it primarily deals in pre-war motors, it will happily use its extensive contacts to source newer models. More and more clients are collectors looking to take their vehicles on competition-based events, he says: ‘The market is becoming more about the driving experience. A lot of the pre-war sports cars are great cars for enthusiasts and offer engaging driving experiences.’
A highlight of the year for Glover was the moment when a young gentleman bought a ‘very important Invicta’ and sold on his Ferarri 288. ‘The 288 is a brilliant car, but the moment you’re out of second gear then you’re breaking all the speed limits,’ he says. ‘But the Invicta is equally fun to drive, historically significant and eligible for any event you can think of.’