Preserving Provenance: The Importance of History Files at The Forge

One of the very first things we do when a new classic arrives at The Forge is begin building its history file — a small but vital part of how we approach the cars we sell.

More often than not, a car will arrive with a box or a carrier bag filled with paperwork — invoices, MOT certificates, service stamps, even old tax discs. While it might look like a jumble to begin with, it’s a goldmine of information just waiting to be sorted.

And that’s exactly what we do.

We take the time — sometimes hours — to painstakingly arrange everything in chronological order, carefully piecing together the car’s life story. This not only helps us gain a full understanding of how the car has been maintained and what upgrades may have been made, but also allows us to present a complete and honest account to potential buyers.

Once the paperwork is in order, it’s neatly housed in a dedicated presentation folder, which is then handed over to the new owner at the point of sale. It’s a small detail, but one that speaks volumes about how we operate.

We also write up the key points of the car’s history for our online listings, so buyers can see exactly what’s been done over the years before they even step through the showroom door. Yes, it’s a time-consuming process — but for us, it’s essential. Transparency, trust, and passion are the cornerstones of what we do.

There’s also something incredibly rewarding about preserving this documentation. We see ourselves not just as sellers, but as custodians of these cars’ histories. And we hope that by passing on these carefully curated files, we encourage the next owner to continue adding to them — keeping the story alive for future generations.

So whether it’s a dealer receipt from the '60s or a handwritten note about a minor repair, we urge all classic car owners: keep everything. You never know what will prove valuable in the future — not just in terms of resale value, but in preserving the personality and provenance of your cherished classic.

At The Forge, we don’t just sell cars — we help carry their legacy forward.