Robert Bluestone has been living and breathing cars, especially Classic Cars, for more years than he cares to remember! Acquiring his first classic at 18, his knowledge of anything on four wheels is extensive. Whether it be stripping and rebuilding an engine, choosing a family car or looking to invest in the sector, Robert has the answer. Investing for others and soon to launch his own Classic Car Fund, Robert will bring his enthusiasm, advice and thoughts to you in his new column.

£25,000 to spend. Which Family Car and Which Investment Classic.

I’m sitting in my office, last January and I get a call from my brother in-law, David. He wants me to find a new car for my sister.  Now I get calls like this a lot, I’m a car guy, ever since I was a little boy; I loved cars, I inherited the obsession from my Dad, he too was mad about cars. I’m very unusual for a Jewish man, as not only do I obsess about what I drive (and what I would love to drive – there are many, many on this list believe you me!) but the engineering interests me too.

So it’s a regular occurrence for me to get calls from family and friends asking ‘what should I buy?’ And  ‘will you come with me to look at the car’ or even ‘will you go and look at the car!’. Not surprising that I’m making my passion, my business.

The family car. It means different things to different people, depending on how many seats, child seats and members you are looking to accommodate. Some things will always make for a better choice though – low millage, good economy and most importantly not red (for my brother-in-law, he’s a Tottenham fan!) My budget at £25,000, off to work I went, checking all my sources, all the usual websites and magazines.  I found the nice family car that he was looking for; low mileage, great condition (and not red). I sent him the details and photos he said ‘great, let’s go and have a look’. Now bearing in mind that this particular family unit comprises a dog (Oscar, small to medium sized and reasonably cute) and two teenagers; one already driving, at last, Mazal Tov and the other close behind, practicality is important but not 3 children in car seats important – for another day.

About 10 mins later I get a call from a friend in Germany. ‘I have an excellent 1985 Mercedes SL500 that I have just restored and I need to sell’. £20,000 is the price.  I quickly get back to work, looking to see what family car a could find for £5000 and phoned my brother in-law. ‘David’ I said, ‘forget the  BMW X5 I have found your car’. I told him about the Mercedes and the 2009 VW Golf His voice changed you could hear the palpable excitement, him imagining, the two of them; himself and my sister, recreating Hart to Hart; driving with the roof down wind in their hair.

He drives the VW Golf taking the kids from football to tutors and drives the Mercedes as much as he can. The biggest thing he is happy about is the BMW has lost money, but that his gorgeous Mercedes is now worth £25,000, great return in one year. I’m not surprised by the increase in value, buy the right car and the value just goes up and up. Fantastic when finding good returns on investments is becoming harder and harder. But one thing that does surprise me, my brother in-law is driving a red car!

 Contact Robert via email at Robert@bluestone-im.com