About Barnclassics

Barn Classics is the brainchild of Rod Trippier, who just loves classics, whatever their condition. Stock changes regularly, and ranges from “restoration only” to usable daily classics and “pub posers”, to nearly show models.

Rod specialises in practical vehicles, nothing exotic, believing there’s an interest in usable classics at realistic prices for the hobby enthusiast, who doesn’t always get a good deal, or an honest description from mainstream dealers, mainly because it’s not their market.

You might be someone who can now afford the car you couldn’t as a younger man, or you would like to run the car you ran before marriage, and had to give up for practical reasons or, just like Rod, you’re fed up with Euro shapes and want to drive something that’s not too expensive and says a lot about you as a person! All Rod’s cars are realistically described. If it’s a shed, it’s described as a shed, if it’s a stunner, then it’s a stunner.

In addition to the home page, there are some pages that describe the cars Rod tends to collect, and other pages that describe individual stock items in detail. From the thumbnail images on the home page just click on any car that takes your fancy - each has a photograph and is realistically described.

Rod’s been driving classics for years. His last new car was a Triumph 1500, bought in 1971 for £850 cash (about £17,000 in today’s money) from Horns in Stockport. Since 1973, when he sold the car to help fund a cottage restoration, he’s run nothing but classics; hence the passion.

Driving a classic as a business car - has it any plus points? Well, you get style, looks, a conversation piece, you’ll be remembered as the guy who drives the classic car, you’ll have an appreciating asset, and for tax purposes you’ll have the pleasure of negotiating with your local tax office. As you may know, modern cars are now assessed on emissions (a very grey area, if you’ll forgive the pun). For some strange reason, HM’s Government seems to think that the larger the engine, the greater the emissions. Not so - it’s all about swept volume, and they haven’t quite got their heads round this one yet. They know how to talk, but not about torque.

Anyway, how is the business driver of a classic affected by taxation on benefit? There are two basic principles: You can get round it by owning the car; you negotiate and receive an agreed mileage allowance from your employer, then all you have to pay is tax on the benefit. Keep the mileage allowance to a reasonable figure, and Bob’s your uncle. The other way is to negotiate with your local I. R. Office, because their basic rule for classics is that the car must be more than 15 years old, and must have a market value of £15,000 or more. This assumes your classic has gone up in value.

In many cases a classic will have a lower value than its original market value and it won’t necessarily be published in “the Trade”. There may not even be a published emission value for it. The I.R. say that they would go for an assessment based upon 35% of the list price (what list price?).

Rod’s experience of the Inland Revenue is that they are quite reasonable and prepared to negotiate. Like most commercial enterprises they have budgets to meet and they don’t have infinite resources to spend on hours and hours negotiating with you, so argue your case sensibly and you should walk away with a good deal.

Even if Rod doesn’t have the model of your dreams, you might find something that appeals. So, have a browse through the site and see if there’s anything you fancy. Email Rod with your thoughts, offers, abuse ……., whatever.