Exports of remastered and electrified classic cars are at record levels, says their manufacturer.
BOOMING demand from overseas has pushed the international business of luxury car restoration, remastering and electrification specialist Lunaz to record levels.
The company’s headquarters at Silverstone has seen orders from overseas rise by 150% year on year. Its secondary market is increasing in value and orders for classic models including Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, Range Rover and Rolls Royce are increasing in both number and price.
The UK market still comprises 35% of Lunaz’s business, said chief executive and founder David Lorenz. The company’s order book for its Silverstone factory is full to the second half of next year and the export success will support the company’s long-term growth plans, including the creation of new jobs.
The demand is coming from customers in the USA, mainland Europe and the Middle East, as well as the UK, who represent a new generation of first-time classic owners. “Lunaz was created to write the next chapters in the incredible stories of the most celebrated cars in British automotive history,” said David.
“The growth of our export business, along with the appreciating value of Lunaz cars offered to the secondary market, demonstrates a global appreciation for the Lunaz proposition: to marry cutting-edge technology and exceptional driving dynamics with the style of an era when beauty was the only requirement.
“This success lays the foundation for many years of growth, ensuring that we can continue developing and nurturing the very best restoration, engineering and design talent.”
Each vehicle is painstakingly recreated by Lunaz’s designers, engineers and restoration specialists over the course of 5.500 hours. Driveability is enhanced through upgraded brakes, suspension and steering while interior comfort is brought up to contemporary standards with air conditioning, discreetly integrated infotainment, navigation systems and full wi-fi connectivity.
Customers are investing significantly, not only in applying the Lunaz process to highly sought-after and rare cars, but also in intricate materials, finishes, engineering innovations and technological enhancements, David said. The result is an increase in the average transaction value of 18%. Existing Lunaz cars offered to customers on the waiting list have been sold at a premium, appreciating by an average of 22%.
Lunaz’s exhaustive restoration, remastering and electrification process has been applied to some of the world’s most collectable and rare vehicles.
Among them is a 1958 Bentley Continental by James Young, one of only 13 remaining. Delivered to a client in France, the car was submitted for restoration with a clear vision: to allow his young family to share his love of classic British cars and to address the usability and reliability challenges of vehicles from this era.
The family has secured slots over the next four years for a collection of Jaguar, Bentley and Range Rover.
Another notable commission was a 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, crafted for a renowned European collector of luxury and sports cars. Designed as the perfect conveyance for an evening in London, the brief included an elegant storage solution for a particular brand of cigars.
Lunaz’s designers collaborated with a Mayfair cigar merchant to create a tailored humidor (above) precisely matched to the client’s preferred maker and gauge. It included wood-patterned ashtrays inlaid with gold and magnetised for secure placement on the rear picnic tables. The car has become a distinctive presence outside one of London’s most exclusive members’ clubs and restaurants.
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