introduction

Classic Cars You Can Enjoy.

Hi, I'm Harry Taylor, owner of Cherryvalley Cars And Classics. My passion for cars began over 55 years ago.

By age 12 or 13, I was already hooked, and at 14 I started stock car racing. At 16, I began a motor mechanic apprenticeship at Charles Hurst in Belfast.

Age 18 I was fortunate enough to own, ORX 707F, an ex-works rally Mini Cooper S, from the same school as the one Paddy Hopkirk won the Monte Carlo raleigh in. Mini Moments - Cherryvalley Cars And Classics.

In 1982, we launched our own business, Botanic Garage in Belfast, later moving to Newtownards as Ards Auto Exchange, which we sold in 2002.

Over the years, I enjoyed owning classic cars, and as more kept coming my way, more than I could realistically keep, a spark grew into a business idea. That spark became Cherryvalley Cars And Classics, a way to stay involved in the world of great classics without needing a bigger garage (or a new wife 😁).
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a classic car, I’d love to help. I’m available seven days a week from 9am to 6.30pm—just give me a call on 0739 44444 80.

I much prefer a good old fashioned phone call. It’s more personal, and I’m always happy to chat with genuine enthusiasts. 

Whether you’re after advice, a valuation, or looking to match your classic with the right buyer or seller, I’ll do my best to make the process smooth and enjoyable.

If you’re truly interested, pick up the phone, it’s good to talk!

The classic cars I sell range from 20 to 90 years old and should be appreciated for what they are, cars from a different era with their own unique character, charm and driving experience.

They offer a style of motoring that is often more involving, rewarding and memorable than most modern cars. These are cars with real personality, bringing enjoyment, nostalgia and a genuine sense of pride to their owners.

Buying a classic car is different from buying a modern daily driver and should be approached with realistic expectations.

Maintenance and occasional repairs are all part of the ownership experience, helping to preserve and enjoy a piece of motoring history.

With enthusiasm, patience and the right expectations, classic car ownership can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding hobbies there is.
So, you've taken the plunge, welcome to the world of classic car ownership.

You're about to discover the enjoyment of owning something with real character and history. 

There will be weekends spent learning new skills, and getting to know your car inside and out. Before long, you'll find yourself chatting with fellow enthusiasts and sharing stories wherever you go.

Every journey becomes an event. Expect smiles, waves, thumbs up at traffic lights and plenty of conversations with people who remember owning one, or always wished they had.

Classic cars are more than just transport. They're a hobby, a passion, and a great way to meet like minded people. They create memories, turn ordinary drives into adventures, and put a smile on your face every time you open the garage door.

Enjoy the experience, you're now part of a very special community.

Vintage Tin - A place for classic car history, facts, memories, stories and the people behind the cars that make them special.

Classic cars are about much more than the cars themselves. They are about the people who designed them, built them, owned them and the memories created along the way.

Keep looking in from time to time. Vintage Tin will continue to grow, with more stories, memories and history being added along the way.

If you have a memory, a story, a photograph or an idea, I would love to hear from you.
By Phone.

I prefer phone calls, they’re more personal, and I’m always happy to chat with genuine people.

Viewings. 

Viewings are strictly by timed appointment only 7 days between 9am and 6.30pm. Call Harry to arrange a suitable time. Please do not arrive without an appointment, as we may not be on site or the car may not be available.

Please note, we do not have onsite toilet facilities, but there is one available just two minutes away at a local petrol station.

Contact Details. 

📞 +44 07394 444480 – Harry Taylor


🕘 Available Mon–Sun, 9am – 6.30pm

Our full Terms and Conditions are available upon request and will be provided for review prior to any purchase or agreement.
While I make every effort to ensure the accuracy of everything on the website and in other communications, errors, mistakes, and omissions can inevitably occur. 

The content provided, whether on this website, through other communications, or in person, relating to classic cars or any other vehicle is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute mechanical, technical, legal, financial, or regulatory advice. 

Where decisions regarding maintenance, restoration, valuation, or roadworthiness are required, you are strongly advised to seek professional guidance from a suitably qualified expert. 

We accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or consequences arising from reliance upon any information we provide

before you buy

Buying your first classic car should be an exciting experience. It is about owning something with character, history and a story to tell.

But before you take the plunge, it is worth understanding that the car you remember from childhood and the car sitting in front of you today may not feel exactly the same.

That is not a bad thing. It is simply part of the charm of owning an old car.
We remember family holidays, trips with mum and dad, days out with granda and granny, or the excitement of seeing a particular car sitting outside the house.

But memories are kind to old cars.

The car in your mind was quieter, smoother, faster and more comfortable than it probably was.

The journey seemed shorter. The engine sounded better. The seats seemed more comfortable. The rattles and knocks you've somehow forgotten.
The steering feels heavier because there is no power steering. The brakes need more thought. The gearbox feels different.

The suspension feels softer, bumpier or noisier than a modern car.

The engine that sounded wonderful in your memories suddenly feels a little slower than you expected.

Sometimes I can almost see the disappointment.
Small marks or blemishes in the paint suddenly become the thing you focus on, and before long it is all you see.

A tiny rust spot gets inspected again and again, almost as if looking at it long enough will somehow make it disappear............It won't.

Because old cars are not new cars. They were built in a different era, with different standards and different expectations.

They have character, charm and personality, but those same things that make them special can also bring their own little quirks and imperfections.

A £5,000 classic car is not a £50,000 restored show car. It may have age related marks, worn trim, a little patina and signs that it has lived a life.

That is not always something to fix. Sometimes it is part of the story.

The best classic car is not necessarily the most perfect one. It is the one that makes you smile when you walk towards it, the one you enjoy driving, and the one you are happy to take out on a Sunday morning.
The best classics are not always museum pieces. 
They are cars you can use, enjoy and make your own memories.

Because one day, that slightly noisy, slightly quirky old car sitting in your garage will be the car your family remembers.