We sit down with James Szkiler, CEO of Classic and Sportscar Centre UK, to discuss Landys, mistaken Lamborghinis & everything in between

Tell us a little about how you got started...

I was brought up in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire and still have vague memories of my father being Dealer Principal of our local Jaguar/Land Rover dealership. From an early age (late 1980’s) I recall models such as the Jaguar XJS, Classic Range Rover and Land Rover Defender on the driveway. Dad’s company car would be a 12 seater ‘Landy’ and Mum often used it to take the school football team for an away match. This really was where the love for cars came from.

By 1991 Dad had enough of the modern car industry, and set up our business stemming from a passion for classic cars. Back then it was named Grundy Mack Classic Cars, starting out in humble surroundings, an old damp mill in Lockwood. By 1996 the business moved premises with two floors of carpeted showrooms and with quirky ads and poems in the Yorkshire Post on a weekend. In 1998, the premises were sold and my parents moved to North Yorkshire, relocating the business and family.

At 16, Malton, North Yorkshire wasn’t the ideal place to be. Whilst studying my A-Levels I valeted the classics in our barn, really starting at the bottom, however it wasn’t long until I was selling. One Saturday morning a gentleman popped in as I was cleaning an early 1980’s Ferrari 208 GT4 with only 4,000 miles on the clock. He was overwhelmed by how nice the car was, and asked me the price. I checked, double checked and responded with “£16,995 sir”

On the shoot we used an Aston Martin DB6 finished in the famous Silver Birch, a true British Icon of a stature that can never fail to impress.

The second car is a very rare machine, the Italian built, Ford powered super car – the De Tomaso Pantera. Most think it’s a Lamborghini at first glance, these cars are so rare the owners club cannot actually confirm how many were built for the UK market. As you can surmise, there aren’t many, as most went to the USA or stayed in mainland Europe. The De Tomaso is a typical 1970’s Italian super car, gorgeous with sharp features. This particular car was fully re-furbished by us a few years ago, for that reason we are rather proud of it, it’s something special.

At 16, Malton, North Yorkshire wasn’t the ideal place to be. Whilst studying my A-Levels I valeted the classics in our barn, really starting at the bottom, however it wasn’t long until I was selling. One Saturday morning a gentleman popped in as I was cleaning an early 1980’s Ferrari 208 GT4 with only 4,000 miles on the clock. He was overwhelmed by how nice the car was, and asked me the price. I checked, double checked and responded with “£16,995 sir”

He replied “what would be the very best deal?”

“Well, this is a 4,000 miles from new immaculate Ferrari 208 GT4, where would you find another one like it?”

He then jumped in his car to head home and grab his cheque book. In my excitement I rushed to my father and explained I had sold the Ferrari.

“Where is the buyer?” he said with a smile,

“He’s gone home for his cheque book!”

Dad laughed at me,“ahhh that old trick, James you will never see him again, you’ll soon learn!”

45 minutes later my first customer drove back into the yard, walked in, asking for me by name.

Well that was it, my first ever sale at 16 years old, from that point I never looked back.

At 18 I was heading to York to study business management. Plans for a career in Financial Services were shelved, and by 23 I was running the business. Over the past ten years or so we have grown the business with our own Body-shop, Paint-shop, Interior Trim department, Workshop, Storage Facility and 35 staff. We typically sell around 250 classic cars per year, catering right across the market from a Morris Minor to an Aston Martin DB5. We are now one of the largest stocked in the UK with over 150 classics across our sites.

How did you discover PWVC?

Our partnership with Private White V.C. started with me as a customer. My barber told me about Private White V.C., he insisted I check out their clothing. I fell in love! I kept an eye on PWVC thinking I’d find the time one day to visit the Manchester factory. Sadly, it never happened. Roll on a few years and, at Goodwood Revival in 2021 I met CEO James Eden, tried on the Ventile Mac and have added steadily to my collection ever since. It was there that I suggested to James that he use some of our cars for a PWVC photoshoot and last year that’s exactly what we did!

On the shoot we used an Aston Martin DB6 finished in the famous Silver Birch, a true British Icon of a stature that can never fail to impress.

The second car is a very rare machine, the Italian built, Ford powered super car – the De Tomaso Pantera. Most think it’s a Lamborghini at first glance, these cars are so rare the owners club cannot actually confirm how many were built for the UK market. As you can surmise, there aren’t many, as most went to the USA or stayed in mainland Europe. The De Tomaso is a typical 1970’s Italian super car, gorgeous with sharp features. This particular car was fully re-furbished by us a few years ago, for that reason we are rather proud of it, it’s something special.

If you could go to one motor sport event this year, which would it be?

That’s difficult! The Goodwood Revival and The Festival of Speed are the very best of motoring events in the UK. The Revival is like travelling back in time, everyone in period dress, it’s like being in a bubble for the weekend. From the motor racing, to beer tents, open air cinema, music, dancers, themed actors, and many shops/stall/stands, it really has something for everyone. Exhibiting as a business also gives us some fantastic opportunities to meet new clients.

The Festival of Speed is a very different event, much more modern and packed with action. If you like motorsport, and like cars in general, you cannot go wrong with everything from classics, to brand new cars, super cars and Formula One, it has the lot.