A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.
The strength in the classic-car market is expected to continue in 2026 as a new generation of collectors revs up demand, said the CEO of Hagerty.
Auctions and online sales of collectible cars surged 10% in 2025 to $4.8 billion, according to Hagerty, the classic-car insurance company and collector platform. Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty said based on the sales pipeline and activity in the private classic-car market, demand appears strong for next year.
“We’ve seen a lot of momentum on the private side,” Hagerty told CNBC. “We’re seeing a lot of private transactions take place of very significant cars, of all kinds, of all ages. We’re looking forward to 2026.”
The biggest driver is a new generation of collectors. As baby boomers age out of the market and downsize, members of Generation X, millennials and Gen Zers are taking over and redefining the market. They’re more comfortable buying online, with online classic-car sales surging 12% this year to $2.5 billion, according to Hagerty.
