Manor Park Classics has expanded its UK operations by buying up one of the oldest players in the classic car fixed-venue auction market – Barons, based in Southampton.
Manor Park Classics held its first sale in 2021, operating from Runcorn, Cheshire, and it has held regular auctions ever since with frequent 90 percent-plus sales rates. Barons was founded by Tony Cavell in 1998, and operates out of Marchwood on the edge of the New Forest.
Although Barons’ Cavell and Molly Agius will continue to run the business, Manor Park will implement its sales processes immediately, with the next sale due to take place on Saturday February 8, run under the title of Barons Manor Park Classics Ltd.
“We intend to turbocharge the business by bringing MPC’s socials, internet and telephone bidding to our international audience, headed by Paul Cowland,” says Manor Park Classics chairman Stephen Ashworth. “My thanks go to Paul and fellow directors James Gregory, Nik Askins and Andy Park, for making this deal happen so quickly. Auctions will continue to be held on a monthly basis at Barons’ premises at Harbour Close in Marchwood, and the Manor Park Classics service and three-stage sales process will also be available in the South, as well as the North.”
The plan going forwards is to set up four or five auction houses at “various strategic locations” across the UK. For more information, head here.
