FBHVC has measured the value of historic vehicle related activity in UK twice before – in 1997, and 2006. In May 2011, FBHVC – working with the Historic Vehicle Research Institute (HVRI) – embarked on the process of surveying individuals, the trade, clubs and specialist museums with a view to bringing the 2006 data about the extent of the historic vehicle movement up to date.
The information-gathering process closed at the end of August and analysis of the data was completed in November. The results were presented to members of the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicle Group (APPHVG), the press and representatives of the specialist trade at a reception in the House of Lords on 6 December 2011 which was hosted by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, who is President of both FBHVC & APPHVG. Amongst those attending was Mike Penning MP, Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport with responsibility for Road Safety.
Dr. Paul Frost (chairman HVRI) and Geoff Smith (FBHVC Vice President and research project leader).
Standing, from left to right: Quentin Willson; Rt Hon Greg Knight MP 
(chairman APPHVG); Tony Davies (FBHVC director); Chris Cunnington (FBHVC chairman); Geoff Smith; Lord Steel of Aikwood (FBHVC Vice President and member APPHVG); Dr. Chris Hart (HVRI co-founder and researcher). Front, from left: Andrew Burt (FBHVC director); Lord Montagu (President of both FBHVC & APPHVG); Mike Penning (Road Safety Minister).
The research programme looked into five main areas: economic value; employment; number and use of historic vehicles; social activity and concerns for the future. The title of the report, “The £4 Billion Hobby”, shows the overall headline result. Other findings include:
- £4.3 billion overall value
- Nearly £1 billion in exports
- Over 28,000 people employed
- 57% of businesses are over 20 years old
- 850,000 historic vehicles
- 82% of historic vehicles are used no more than twice a month
- Historic vehicle are responsible for less than 0.24% of overall traffic
- 68% of historic vehicles are valued at less than £10,000
- 4.5 million person-attendances a year at events organised by FBHVC clubs
- 52% of traders expect their businesses to grow in next 5 years
The research project was led by FBHVC Vice President Geoff Smith and was carried out by Dr Paul Frost, Dr Chris Hart and Dr Jaime Kaminski of the Historic Vehicle Research Institute with background administrative and editorial assistance from past FBHVC secretary Jim Whyman.
A PDF version of the survey report can be found by following the link below. Hard copies of the report have been sent to all FBHVC’s subscriber clubs and museums, to those traders who took part in the survey and to all MPs. Additional hard copies of the report are available at £5 each (including postage) from secretary@fbhvc.co.uk
Please address any enquiries to FBHVC Vice President Jim Whyman admin@fbhvc.co.uk
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