Derek Hood, founder of Essex-based JD Classics, never set out to create the world’s greatest old car business or, for that matter, to join the Sunday Times Rich List in 2015 with a fortune exceeding £100 million. He attributes these things to “a stroke of luck 30 years ago”, but the truth is they’re a direct result of a philosophy of excellence he has carefully built up in 30 years of business. The spark that ignited his classic car career was first struck in 1986. At the time, Hood was a young Essex dentist who enjoyed detailing the classic cars he bought as a hobby. But everything changed one day in 1986 when another enthusiast, walking by, spied the super-immaculate Jaguar Mk2 on Hood’s drive and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Pleased, Hood used the proceeds to buy and improve a Mini Cooper S – and the same thing happened. That car also sold straight off the drive. “After that second one,” says Hood, “it was hard to ignore the business potential. I bought a Lotus Cortina locally, built it up it better than new, advertised it – and sold it the same day. I’d always been interested… Read full this story
- If the UK doesn’t act now, the car industry will vanish
- Waymo's long-term commitment to safety drivers in autonomous cars
- Business secretary says electric vehicles at heart of industrial strategy
- Who killed the 20th century’s greatest spy?
- Driven to Win: Racing in America presented by General Motors to Open June 2020 inside Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
- Inside Tesla’s assault on Germany’s auto establishment
- The next China trade battle could be over electric cars
- 'Accepting charity is an ugly business': my return to the refugee camps, 30 years on
- Hitler’s world may not be so far away
- Meghan Markle looks free and breezy during classic appearance in Canada following royal exit
Inside the world's greatest classic car business: JD Classics have 308 words, post on www.autocar.co.uk at November 25, 2017. This is cached page on wBlogs. If you want remove this page, please contact us.