It’s Spring! Or is it yet? The 1st of March is meteorologically the start of Spring, following the four seasons definition and related weather conditions. Astronomically, Spring will start later this month on the 20th – the vernal equinox when the sun crosses the celestial equator.
New Plates Please
In the new car world, it’s a new registration launch of the ’25’ plate. But, the vehicle manufacturing industry is in a bit of trouble at the moment. Sales are down on new vehicles. Supply chains have been affected due to geopolitical conflicts. China has increased its sales of vehicles in the UK with the brands BYD and Omoda to name a couple with vehicles on our roads. Honda and Toyota have discussed a merger to compete with China.
Some marques are changing their focus from offering all electric vehicles, to keep producing fossil fuel – unleaded powered vehicles as a purchase option. An electric option only is now questionable due to rising electricity prices, battery range anxiety – specifically in cold weather and charging infrastructure availability with queuing in some places.
Take The Covers Off
For the car enthusiast, March may involve getting the classic out of storage or the garage. Lift the cover off, renew the insurance and purchase road tax if needed and go for a blast on the damp roads. Some enthusiasts will wait a little longer until April to exercise this option. Before taking for a spin though, always wise to execute the usual checks – oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid and power steering fluid levels. The calendar is now open for vehicle shows – always an excuse to renew your older car driving skills. Ideally, you want the car to run for the next six months with no problems. It’s first outing will generally reveal any potential problems forged over the winter months. At least the weather is getting warmer which makes it easier to work on if necessary.
Hammer Time
Speaking of the classic car market. Have you seen the low hammer prices at the classic auctions in the last couple of months? Bargains to be had! Sales are down though, enthusiasts are either hanging onto their money or just haven’t got the funds at present. We are living in an unknown future financial time dimension at the moment. The UK economy is full of uncertainties. Those with mortgages are being cautious with their leisure spend. Do you take a punt and buy something you always fancied? Will the value of classics drop anymore ? Could you be missing a trick ?
Showtime!
The vehicle shows have commenced. The winter classic car show hosted at Stony Stratford in Buckinghamshire that normally takes place on New Year’s day, was moved this year to March due to the terrible weather we experienced seeing in 2025. The organisers and car owner’s luck was in. A sunny, blue sky day, temperatures initially frosty when most car owners began their journey, then warmed up to around 8 degrees by midday. A higher turnout of pre-war classics than normal was evident.
More vehicles emerged from their storage this month than would of in cold January. The town’s marketplace and High Street were to capacity with a century of classic transportation. Ambient sounds of the larger engine vehicles and older motorcycles without modern silencers filled the chasms between the shops. A babble of car talk can be heard as the footfall moved from vehicle to vehicle eager to see what chariot is next. The 2025 car season has begun!
