Custom Car Magazine Custom Car May 2013 Back Issue

So, we’ve recently had the Chancellor big it up and
announce his budget for this year. I don’t know about
you, but the much-hyped budget rarely seems to have
any real effect on me. This year it appears I’m going to pay
slightly less income tax in the future, a pint of beer will
cost me 1p less, but a bottle of wine will cost me more.
The good news for us motorists was that the proposed fuel hike
in September is to be cancelled, but there was a further point of
interest to us old car drivers. Virtually hidden amongst George
Osborne’s spiel about economic growth and national debt, was
the surprising revelation that free historic road tax would be
extended to vehicles built before 1 January 1974. Has this 12-month
extension on qualifying any other relevance? Does it signify a move
towards a rolling exemption, as originally announced all those
years ago? I doubt it, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
Further interesting news of late is the publication of two reports
by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. Seemingly Lord
Montagu of Beaulieu wanted to know the economic impact of the
Beaulieu International Autojumble, and Lord March reckoned the
Goodwood Revival does its bit for the local economy as well. The FBHVC
worked in conjunction with the University of Brighton to undertake
both of these studies and the published results are quite staggering.
Facts and figures abound in the reports but, to cut to the chase,
the Beaulieu Autojumble turns over £11 million, contributes
half a million quid in VAT to the treasury and has an economic
benefit of £3 million to the New Forest area. Impressive, huh?
But that’s nothing compared to the Goodwood Revival, which has
a £32 million turnover, shells out £4 million in VAT and makes a
contribution to the local economy of £12 million every year.
Now, what are the chances of getting similar studies done for the
likes of the NSRA Swap Meet or the NASC Nationals? Yeah, I thought
not.