Who are these "Collectors"?

It is becoming a popular gambit, when a used car is advertised for sale, perhaps at an elevated price, for the vendor concerned to offer it as a “Collector’s item”. I find myself wondering who these collectors are supposed to be, where they keep their oddly miscellaneous automotive assemblies, and for what purpose?

For instance, if I had bought all the vehicles thus advertised in this journal only, last month, my intended collection would now comprise a 1953 Jaguar XK 120, a Mini (advertised as a Mint), a Bristol 404, a 1946 Wolseley 14/60 and a 1933 Austin 7 Saloon. These would have cost me £935, give or take some o.n.o., for four of them, one being advertised unpriced. They would be of no interest to veteran or vintage enthusiasts and are presumably in a different category from “investments”. They may each and all be excellent transport, fun to own and drive. But collectors usually hoard their discoveries, not intending to acquire them for regular use. So what really is the purpose of these collector’s items and where are such collections to be found?—W. B.