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CLASSIC CARS / Collector Cars
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CLASSIC CARS / Collector Cars

Putting you in the driving seat

 

Healys’ Classic Car team can advise on all aspects of classic car collecting, and act for a wide range of private individuals, collectors, dealers and auction houses.

With considerable experience in collector car transactions and dispute resolution, both in the UK and internationally, the Healys Classic Car team has the necessary expertise to achieve the best results for our clients.

Our dedicated solicitors are keen enthusiasts of this sector and understand the importance of a smooth and efficient transaction. Buying a classic car can be the fulfilment of a long-held dream; but it can be a complex process. The Classic Car team at Healys specialises in these transactions and can help protect your interests by investigating the title and provenance of your chosen acquisition, as well as facilitating the requirements of importation, taxation and registration.

When Things Go Wrong

In most cases if you deal with a reputable company your classic car purchase should be problem free. Unfortunately, your transaction may not run as smoothly as it should, or information may come to light after purchase that casts doubt on the provenance of your car. Fraudulent activity is increasing in this market, and it is becoming more common to encounter two cars with the same chassis number, or a car with an entirely fictional racing history.

There are a number ways the team can help you:

  • Misrepresentation claims – These occur when purchasing from a dealer or auction house and you later find you were misled on the condition or the history of the car.
  • Restoration disputes –These occur when cars are sent to restorers and the work completed is not to the correct standard.
  • Price Disputes – These occur when deals fall through due to the car being overvalued or a buyer pulling out due to lack of funds.
  • Identity disputes – These occur when parts that are salvaged from one car are used in another and then claimed to be the original car.
  • Title disputes – These occur when ownership of a car is claimed by more than one person.

 

Healys’ Classic Car team are experts in dispute resolution. We resolve disputes on behalf of our clients by understanding the best means of achieving our clients’ aims. In the vast majority of cases, this will be to conclude matters as quickly and as cost effectively as possible. However, there may be other commercial considerations affecting strategy.

 

Call Us Today
Call our London office on 020 7822 4000 or our Brighton office on 01273 685 888. You can also contact us online.
Call Us Today
London: 020 7822 4000 Brighton: 01273 685 888 Or you can contact us online: Contact Us
Key Contacts
Clive Robertson
Consultant
Robert Johnson
Partner
Meet the team
CLASSIC CARS / Collector Cars capabilities
CLASSIC CARS / Collector Cars experiences
  • Advising a US owner of an historic 70's Porsche 911 race car, who became aware of another car residing in Europe, bearing the same chassis number, but  differing race livery. Both cars carried divergent histories in early years, but which merged from the eighties. Both cars have been examined by expert marque engineers, whilst painstaking research has been undertaken both in the Americas and Europe, the outcome of which is yet to be concluded.
  • A client based in Hong Kong was the successful bidder at auction in London of a Bugatti carrying a body by James Young. Post auction, the buyer felt "unsure" about the car, when it was discovered that the sale was by the US auction house and not by an unconnected third party. In the event the "seller" could not prove title and was obliged to accept the return of the car, whilst refunding the purchase price as well as settling legal costs and all expenses.
  • Acting for an owner of a Jaguar D Type confronted by a claim from another party claiming that he owned the same, genuine chassis. As with all D Types, the tub has a chassis number, which number is also stamped on suspension and other parts. After a career spent racing the tub of the Jaguar was deemed "tired", when the parts were removed and re-fitted to a new tub, whilst the original tub was discarded. In due course the discarded tub was "refreshed with genuine new parts. The question arose as to which of the cars could be deemed to be genuine. The parties reached a reasonable conclusion.
  • Competition engines, by the very nature of their intended use, are subject to extreme stress and therefor wear. Competent re-builds usually produce the number of working hours expected, but in a small, but significant number of those rebuilds, poor workmanship can bring about major failure. Independent examination by expert engineers has often provided the basis on which we have founded a number of successful recovery actions.
  • Following a year of ownership of an Alfa Romeo Guilia Spider, the purchaser who had bought the car as a present for his daughter discovered that the car and documentation carried reference to two different chassis numbers, which anomalies were not disclosed, nor apparent at inspection. Advice is now being sought on the basis of the remedied that may be available based upon the misrepresentation of the seller.
  • Advising a client who wished to establish the authenticity of his 1949 Alfa Romeo 6c SS This car was bought at auction in the UK, having spent many years in Argentina. Doubts had been raised as to the authenticity of the car, to the extent that it had been labelled a "fake". An exhaustive forensic examination of the car was undertaken. In particular, a sample of metal was cut from the chassis and following analysis, was found to have been to have been cast in the year of manufacture, so establishing provenance beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • Appointed in 2004 to manage the dissolution of AC Car Group Limited, following a century of production ranging from 3 wheeled cars to the iconic AC Cobra.
CLASSIC CARS / Collector Cars insights
  • ICOs – The Unregulated Path To Quick And Easy Funds?

    8th June 2018

    It is a common misconception that Initial Coin Offerings (“ICOs”) are an unregulated way for companies, in particular early stage companies, to raise finance for their projects. Avoiding the traditional and often ill-desired routes to financing, such as taking on demanding, control obsessed venture capital partners, they are seen as a quicker and less costly option, a mistaken belief that is propagated by the tech corporate finance press’s portrayal of an ICO as a sure fire way to attract investment for your start up. Continue reading »

  • Countdown to Brexit

    7th June 2018

    It’s now countdown to Brexit, with less than one year to go before it becomes a harsh reality to millions of EU nationals living in the UK and to UK nationals living in EEA member states. Continue reading »

  • David Schollenberger To Be Chairman Of The Cyprus Gaming Show

    17th May 2018

    David Schollenberger, Partner and head of Gaming, Hotels and Leisure at Healys LLP, is to act as Chairman of the 2nd annual Cyprus Gaming Show. In his role as Chairman he will give an opening address at the start of the show and will introduce the various panels and events scheduled for this year’s 2 day agenda. He will also be moderating a panel discussion on the progress and development of the Integrated Casino Resort as well as taking part in a discussion about the possible benefits and disruptions caused by the Integrated Casino Resort to the Cyprus Hotel Industry. Continue reading »

CLASSIC CARS / Collector Cars awards
CLASSIC CARS / Collector Cars news
  • ICOs – The Unregulated Path To Quick And Easy Funds?

    8th June 2018

    It is a common misconception that Initial Coin Offerings (“ICOs”) are an unregulated way for companies, in particular early stage companies, to raise finance for their projects. Avoiding the traditional and often ill-desired routes to financing, such as taking on demanding, control obsessed venture capital partners, they are seen as a quicker and less costly option, a mistaken belief that is propagated by the tech corporate finance press’s portrayal of an ICO as a sure fire way to attract investment for your start up. Continue reading »

  • Countdown to Brexit

    7th June 2018

    It’s now countdown to Brexit, with less than one year to go before it becomes a harsh reality to millions of EU nationals living in the UK and to UK nationals living in EEA member states. Continue reading »

  • David Schollenberger To Be Chairman Of The Cyprus Gaming Show

    17th May 2018

    David Schollenberger, Partner and head of Gaming, Hotels and Leisure at Healys LLP, is to act as Chairman of the 2nd annual Cyprus Gaming Show. In his role as Chairman he will give an opening address at the start of the show and will introduce the various panels and events scheduled for this year’s 2 day agenda. He will also be moderating a panel discussion on the progress and development of the Integrated Casino Resort as well as taking part in a discussion about the possible benefits and disruptions caused by the Integrated Casino Resort to the Cyprus Hotel Industry. Continue reading »

Call Us Today
London: 020 7822 4000 Brighton: 01273 685 888 Or you can contact us online: Contact Us
Dispute Resolution