”People are still spending and wanting their dream car. ‘55 – ‘57 Chevys are still selling, 1929 - 1941 Ford’s people love, Ford Pops, 100e’s, anything related to films too… there are bargains always coming out of the woodwork. You just have to be ready to buy when they come up!
If you are in the market for a new car, selling a cherished vehicle, or if you simply like to browse what’s for sale, then chances are you are following the hugely popular group, Unusual Car Sales UK, on Facebook.
Set up by Nigel Taylor in August 2019, this online marketplace for hot rods, custom cars, American vehicles, classic cars, drag cars, and even bikes and choppers, gives vendors a platform to advertise their vehicles to a likeminded audience and offers buyers a safe place to browse and connect with sellers. With nearly 37,000 members across the UK and internationally, ClassicLine Insurance is delighted to be a site sponsor and help group members find the best insurance policy for their needs.
We caught up with Nigel to find out why Unusual Car Sales UK has become go-to group for buying and selling “unusual” vehicles and to hear what goes on behind the scenes of this busy and fast paced selling group.
When did your passion for modified and custom cars begin?
I got into custom cars at age 14 after being invited to a local fun fair at Thruxton Circuit. As we were arriving at the fair, Nick Butler’s 1000bhp Andromeda Model T was coming towards us – we had turned up to the Thruxton International meet, and I was hooked for life! I attended many shows, Chelsea, Guildford, and Essex cruises, went to my first drag race meeting at the age of 16, and then I was hooked even more!
These days I never miss the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals, Dragstalgia, and NSRA Hot Rod Drags at Santa Pod Raceway, and I also try to do the Main Event or the Euro Finals. I enjoy car shows too, especially the Victory Wheelers shows at Hayling Island, the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals at Old Warden, Surrey Street Rodders ‘Wheels Day’, and any other events possible but I’ve always preferred drag racing since that first meeting aged 16.
My old drag car, The Detroit Spinner Ford Prefect. It attracted 55 sponsors, but now resides in Barcelona – Thank you Pep Xampro
What cars do you currently own?
I currently own a 1958 Ford Prefect 100e powered by a 2.9i v6 Ford Granada engine. I’ve owned it for five years, and between myself and my lad Kenzie Taylor, it’s made over 60 passes down the quarter mile.
I will admit to having a passion for 100e’ – this is my fourth! I just love the shape and being a small car with loads of power, it’s fun to drive and actually fits in my garage with plenty of room to spare. Tax exempt, affordable insurance, rear wheel drive – massive smile factors.
My 100e often raced by my boy Kenzie Taylor – photo courtesy of Callum Pudge
What was the inspiration behind Unusual Car Sales UK?
I started Unusual car sales UK in August of 2019 whilst having my heart set on a modified Ford 100e. I managed to find one advertised and rang the seller continuously until they answered – the same old story that you hear so many times…
They promised to keep it for me and said it was definitely going to be mine. They were out driving in a bad signal area, but once they were home, they would call me for a deposit… you know how it goes. Well, I got the phone call. Sorry but someone was waiting on our doorstep with the cash, so we are very sorry, but it’s now sold!
I was gutted.
I knew they were lying so decided it’s time to start up my own site and work out who the time wasters really are. I had a good background by this point after starting up and managing Carolina Classics, selling 500 yanks and classics in five years, you start to know who you could trust to buy a car and those that made up stories to walk away.
Who is Unusual Car Sales UK for?
Unusual Car Sales UK is for all hot rods, customs, yanks, classics, drag cars, sleds, monster trucks, pickups, trikes, choppers, bikes – basically all unusual cars. We currently have just under 37,000 members, all with the same likeminded interests as each other.
We are different from other groups. Our rules are very strict about price tags or value tags, and we do not stand for negative comments on anyone’s post. All bad dealings are dealt with immediately. We do not allow auctions without a “buy it now” price and we do not allow links to other adverts that do not have a price tag.
Please introduce the admin team running the group on a day-to-day basis.
The admin team behind Unusual Car Sales UK consists of myself and my hardworking wife, Sophie Taylor. Then we have Chris Hepworth, Adam Sayers, Cliff ‘Firewalker’ Mann, and Ross Simpson, who all do an excellent job. It’s all done on a voluntary basis, and they are excellent at what they do. It is greatly appreciated.
I tend to deal with any enquiries or problems, and the rest of the team keeps an eye on membership applications, comments, and what is posted. A great team! I personally spend about 50-60 hours a week doing the site but admittedly I’m lucky that 45 of those hours are whilst I am at work.
As well as ClassicLine Insurance, who are the other group supporters?
Our main supporters are Hayling Garage, Williams Bros. Racing, GC Car Recoveries and Transport, Zero Three Classic & Custom Ltd, ClassicLine Insurance, “Hooligan” Outlaw Anglia Drag Racing Team, and Eurodragster.com.
Other support comes from Roadhog Recovery, Hit Hard Customs, Tim Moore Vehicle Transportation, Rays Classics, Industry & Supply, Back To Life Cars Ltd, Old Bones Fabrications, Yank Tank Auctions, 3D Car Care UK, and Fast Piston Garage.
So how does the selling process work?
Sellers can post direct onto the site, providing the advert has a price tag. Some people prefer to send me the details and offer their contact number only for genuinely interested buyers, which is also fine.
Obviously, it is always better to post a good, truthful description including an approximate location (not postcode), lots of photos, and a contact number if possible.
Potential buyers can browse the for sale posts or they can view the albums which get updated regularly during the week – just in case anybody missed something. Or buyers can contact me directly if they are after something in particular.
What about the weekly themed days?
The themed posts, or other ideas such as price band days, work really well because it keeps us up to date on what is actually still for sale and the current price of that vehicle. From here, the albums get updated daily.
Theme posts to look out for:
Truck/Van Tuesday
What’s for Sale Wednesday
Trade Day Thursday
Motorbike Friday
Examples of cars sold through the Unusual Car Sales UK group; photos supplied by Nigel Taylor
Can members sell parts or projects too?
We also have the Unusual car sales U.K. ( Parts and projects) group, which was set up in September 2021 and has just under 8,500 members. It’s nice to keep the parts and projects away from the main site. Members can stick to looking at vehicles if that’s what there after rather than adverts for wheels, engine bits, etc. The two sites work really well with each other.
How do you deal with spammers?
Thankfully, spammers have never really been a problem because we have a great admin team who read all the answers in the site membership applications. They check if the applicant has any groups in
common or likeminded friends. If they don’t, then they simply don’t get in. The couple that have leaked through have been dealt with immediately and blocked from all our sites.
It must be very rewarding seeing successful sales and feedback.
It makes me feel proud when I see thank you messages saying what people have sold or purchased. I have been to shows and people have stopped me to say what an amazing, no hassle, no scammers site it is. Just genuine hot rodders and drag racers, all with the same interest using the site, plus the fact that we don’t stand for any aggravation.
What cars are hot at the moment?
Price fluctuations are happening, but people are still spending and wanting their dream car. ‘55 – ‘57 Chevys are still selling, 1929 – 1941 Ford’s people love, Ford Pops, 100e’s, anything related to films too. Dodge Chargers, Trans Ams, Mustangs, and Ford Torino’s all sell. But there are bargains always coming out of the woodwork. You just have to be ready to buy when they come up! We have seen some cars come on the site and sold within minutes.
Examples of cars sold through the Unusual Car Sales UK group; photos supplied by Nigel Taylor
What are your top tips for someone who is selling their car?
- Have the best description possible stating the truth about the car.
- Don’t overprice it because you have seen something similar. Set it at a price that is sensible to you.
- Include lots of photos and make sure you do a full advert, including it in the “What’s for Sale Wednesday” posts.
When looking to buy a car, if it’s modified, make sure it’s been tried and tested, and the modifications have been done so safely. If you are in any doubt whatsoever, then make sure you take someone with you who knows their stuff!
What are your top tips for someone who is selling their car?
- Have the best description possible stating the truth about the car.
- Don’t overprice it because you have seen something similar. Set it at a price that is sensible to you.
- Include lots of photos and make sure you do a full advert, including it in the “What’s for Sale Wednesday” posts.
When looking to buy a car, if it’s modified, make sure it’s been tried and tested, and the modifications have been done so safely. If you are in any doubt whatsoever, then make sure you take someone with you who knows their stuff!
What are your future plans for the group?
In the next 12 months I would love to get more site supporters on board. It would be great if members could make up a kitty to sponsor one of the drag racing classes under the Unusual Car Sales UK banner,
but we will see what happens. Our main aim is to continue as we are and help people within the scene to have a safe platform for selling and buying cars.
And finally…
A massive thanks to my wife Sophie Taylor for putting up with the site addiction. And to our main supporters, Hayling Garage, who have not only supported the site from the beginning but also sponsor my little brothers 105e Anglia which has now become the quickest 105e Anglia in the world – check out Acute Angle Racing and Hayling Garage Racing.
My little brothers Acute Angle 105e Anglia, raced in Supercharged Outlaws and now the quickest 105e in the world!
Plymouth Duster owned by Steve Gates of Hayling Garage. Now for sale on the Unusual Car Sales UK site due to a new race car purchased for next season.
So, these are the people behind one of the country’s most popular selling groups for modified and unusual cars. Working hard behind the scenes to provide a safe platform for likeminded enthusiasts to buy and sell cars and connect people within the scene. Nigel, thank you very much for talking to us.
Be part of the Unusual Car Sales UK community or join the Unusual car sales U.K. ( Parts and projects) Facebook group.
