The nostalgic allure of classic cars has long been a cornerstone of British culture. From the unapologetically iconic association between Aston Martin and James Bond to the quintessential prestige of cruising through Mayfair in a Rolls-Royce, classic cars hold a revered place in British popular culture – a testament to their enduring significance and cachet.
To own a classic car is to own a piece of history – a story of automotive innovation, and also something deeply personal. For some, it’s owning the same model their father drove in the 1960s: they remember the scent of oil, the burn of leather on summer skin, the gentle click of the radio dial. For others, it’s a poster-child dream from the 1980s – now realised with the means to indulge it. A classic car can be a gift to one’s younger self, or a badge of pride raced on weekends and displayed like a sculpture during the week.
[See also: The classic race car dilemma: to drive or not to drive?]
The appeal is enduring and universal: rarity, beauty, craftsmanship. Add to that the fact that many classic cars are appreciating assets, and it’s easy to see why the market continues to boom. But passion alone doesn’t keep a classic running. Maintenance, restoration and expert care are essential.
For the HNW enthusiast, navigating what and how to buy can be as complex as any investment. Provenance must be verified, historic restoration scrutinised and valuations expertly assessed. This is where the right adviser becomes indispensable: whether it be an auctioneer, dealer or specialist restorer, knowing who to trust is half the battle.
The 2025 edition of the Spear’s index brings together leading names from every corner of the industry – from those sourcing ‘crown jewel’ vehicles to the artisans reimagining interiors in collaboration with luxury fashion houses. One of our featured advisers recalls buying and selling a car within 12 minutes of first laying eyes on it. Another recently oversaw the auction of a 1930 Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle which fetched close to £250,000 at auction.
Interest in Japanese classics is rising, while post-1980s cars have crossed the tax threshold that now marks them officially ‘vintage’ in the UK. And with the ban on new petrol cars looming, demand – and value – continues to accelerate.
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In a world increasingly digital, silent and self-driving, the classic car remains defiantly human: noisy, analog, flawed but ultimately, full of soul.
Click the links below to jump to a section of this article:
- Methodology
- The best classic car advisers: some names to know
- The best classic car advisers: the complete list
- Contact us
Methodology
Each year, the Spear’s Research Unit reassesses and refreshes its rankings of the leading providers in each sector by gathering data from and about the advisers and firms themselves, assessing submission forms, collating nominations, carrying out peer reviews, reviewing data from third-party sources, gathering references and recommendations, canvassing experts and conducting hundreds of interviews.
Advisers are evaluated using a proprietary scoring system that assigns different weightings to certain attributes. These scores feed directly into each new set of rankings in the Spear’s Indices. Each of these indices are published first online (according to the research calendar) and then in print. Print publication takes the form of the annual Spear’s 500 directory, which includes the top advisers in every index.
[See also: A guide to The Spear’s 500: Everything you need to know]
Each featured adviser is profiled on spears500.com. The site allows users to search the Spear’s database of more than 4,000 entities to find one (or more) to meet their specific requirements by filtering for specific attributes such as an adviser’s location, their specialist expertise and information about their client base.
The best classic car advisers: some names to know
Georgia Peck
- Focus: Bespoke 4×4 rebuilds
- Ranking: Recommended
- Firm: Aubrey
Aubrey burst onto the classic car scene when its second completed commission, a bright-orange 1973 Series III Land Rover rebuilt for life in the Swiss Alps, was exhibited at the 2023 International Concours d’Elegance in St Moritz.
Since then, the business has attracted a global client base, and Georgia Peck, the company’s founder, continues to offer a bespoke commission service, which encompasses anything from sourcing the donor car to undertaking a complete internal redesign and doing full engineering and restoration.
Read Georgia Peck’s full profile on Spears500.com
Damian Jones
- Focus: Classic car auctions
- Ranking: Recommended
- Firm: H&H Classics
Specialist auction house H&H Classics handles everything from 1890s Brighton runners to 1990s F1 cars. With only a select number of auctions taking place across the country each year, it can arrange its catalogues with incredible attention.
Having sold more than 15,000 vehicles to collectors, investors and family offices worldwide, its access is unparalleled, and it maintains a robust ethos of client service and professionalism. ‘We pride ourselves on being approachable, and we’re happy to advise people as much or as little as they want,’ says director Damian Jones, a stalwart of the classic car industry since 1997. ‘We’re used to engaging with people with all levels of expertise.’
Read Damian Jones’ full profile on Spears500.com
Lance McCormack
- Focus: Award-winning restorations
- Ranking: Top Recommended
- Firm: Romance of Rust
‘On my 30th birthday, I set up Romance of Rust, and nearly a quarter of a century later, we’ve never been busier,’ Lance McCormack tells Spear’s.
Indeed, over the years, McCormack and his dedicated team have been responsible for completing incredibly complex and high-profile projects, including the restoration of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Phantom V, and the meticulous restoration of a Phantom limousine which was once the property of Harrods and is decorated in full green and gold livery.
Read Lance McCormack’s full profile on Spears500.com
Gord Duff
- Focus: Classic car auctions
- Ranking: Top Recommend
- Firm: RM Sotheby’s
Since joining RM Sotheby’s in 1998, Gord Duff has accumulated an impressive knowledge of high-value marques, moving up the ranks from shop intern to global head of auctions and now president.
RM Sotheby’s credits his ‘consistent success’ with his client connections across North America, Europe, Russia and Asia, which he established through business and personal travels.
Read Gord Durf’s full profile on Spears500.com
The best classic car advisers: the complete list
Click on the individual names to be directed to more detailed profiles of each adviser on The Spear’s 500 website. The table is ordered by ranking and then alphabetically by surname.
Contact us
- Click here to order a print copy of The Spear’s 500.
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- If you have missed calendar deadlines for our research cycles in 2025, you can still register your interest for updates about upcoming research and rankings.
