Strong interest at Cheffins’ Automobilia sale

Forget the cars, look at the automobilia: recent results from Cheffins auctioneers show that interest in automobilia remains as strong as ever, with enamel signs especially sought after.

The 14 June Cheffins sale, which attracted more than 250 buyers from mainland Europe, the USA and New Zealand grossed £100,000, with a Milne Steel Rubber Motor Sales enamel sign making £2832 and a Clarke’s Melox enamel sign £4720. But those prices were eclipsed by the £9204 that bought a £9204 National Benzole Refuel Service hanging light box. More than 550 lots were offered.

Automobilia, and particularly signage and petrolania have always proved popular and unlike a classic car need little looking after. They look good in a domestic garage or in a house.

And while interest has always been strong values have been further firmed-up thanks to the small screen, as Cheffins Machinery Sales director Tom Godsmark points out: “The market for automobilia is red hot right now. Following the success of primetime TV shows such as ‘Salvage Hunters,’ ‘Shed & Buried’ and the like, these pieces of motoring history are now forming one of the fastest appreciating collecting classes out there. In the past five years, values for enamel signs, illuminated forecourt signs, oil and petrol cans, tinplate advertisements and so on have almost doubled in value, as people really seek out those prime pieces for their collections.”

Unsurprisingly it’s those links to the past that help drive sales, as Tom explains: “The real appeal here lies in nostalgia. While some collectors focus on items related to a specific car make or model, others are drawn to pieces that evoke memories of their childhood. There’s also an entirely different group of collectors who are attracted to automobilia purely for its visual charm.

“These individuals aren’t necessarily car enthusiasts—they might be into interior design or simply want something colourful and vintage to brighten up their walls. That’s part of what makes collecting automobilia so enjoyable: it doesn’t require a lot of space. It can easily be displayed in a shed, a man cave, or even around the house. In many ways, it’s a form of art.”