Introduction
Derek Mathewson has become a household name among classic car enthusiasts across the United Kingdom. His journey from a young boy fascinated by automobiles to one of the most recognizable faces in the classic car auction industry represents a remarkable story of passion meeting opportunity. Through dedication, expertise, and an authentic love for vintage vehicles, he has built an empire that extends from the auction room to television screens nationwide.
Derek Mathewson
Classic Car Auctioneer & Television Personality
| 👤Full Name | Derek Mathewson |
| 🎂Date of Birth | October 13, 1951 |
| 📅Age | 73 years old (as of 2025) |
| 🌍Place of Birth | United Kingdom |
| 📍Grew Up In | Bedfordshire, England |
| 🏠Current Location | North Yorkshire, England |
| 🇬🇧Nationality | British |
| 💼Profession | Classic Car Auctioneer, Businessman, Television Personality |
| 🏢Company | Mathewsons Classic Car Auctions (Founded 2011) |
| 📺Television Show | Bangers & Cash (UKTV, 2019-present) |
| 💰Net Worth | Estimated $2 million – $5 million (2025) |
| 💑Marital Status | Previously married to Sue Mathewson (over 40 years) |
| 👨👩👦👦Children | Two sons – Paul Mathewson and Dave Mathewson |
| 🚗Career Start | Founded Mathewsons in 1970 |
| 📍Business Location | Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire |
| 🏆Specialty | Classic and vintage car auctions |
| 🎯Business Expansion | Garages in Scarborough (1988), Malton (1990), Pickering (1992) |
| 📊Annual Auctions | 9 car auctions per year (as of 2025) |
| 🚙Personal Collection | 5 Aston Martins (DB6, DB MkIII, AM Vantage, DBS, DB9 Volante) and Bentley S3 Continental |
| ❤️Charity Work | Raised thousands for Martin House Hospice and local charities |
| ⏰Years in Business | Over 50 years (1970-2025) |
Early Life and Passion for Cars
Born on October 13, 1951, in the United Kingdom, Derek Mathewson grew up in Bedfordshire during an era when craftsmanship and mechanical skill were highly valued. His childhood was marked by an insatiable curiosity about how things worked, particularly automobiles. He spent countless hours watching and helping local mechanics in village garages, absorbing knowledge that would later prove invaluable.
Those formative years in Bedfordshire shaped his understanding of vehicles from the ground up. Unlike many who enter the automotive trade through formal education, Derek Mathewson learned through hands-on experience, developing an intuitive understanding of cars that continues to serve him well today.
How Old is Derek Mathewson?
As of 2025, Derek Mathewson is 73 years old, having celebrated his birthday in October 2024. Despite being in his seventies, he remains actively involved in his business operations and continues to appear regularly on television. His energy and enthusiasm for classic cars have not diminished with age, proving that genuine passion knows no retirement date.
Building a Business Empire
The Foundation Years (1970s-1980s)
Derek Mathewson founded Mathewsons in 1970, beginning with the sale of modern cars and commercial vehicles in Bedfordshire. The business initially focused on contemporary automotive needs, branching into vehicle contract hire and leasing services. During these early years, he operated as an auction customer rather than a provider, gaining valuable insights into how the auction business functioned from the buyer’s perspective.
Relocation to North Yorkshire
A significant turning point came in 1988 when Derek Mathewson moved his family to North Yorkshire due to family connections in the area. This relocation proved transformative for the business. He acquired garages in Scarborough in 1988, followed by locations in Malton in 1990 and Pickering in 1992. With this geographical shift came a strategic pivot—Derek began shifting focus from modern vehicles to classic and vintage cars, recognizing an underserved market with tremendous potential.
Mathewsons Classic Car Auctions
The culmination of decades of experience led to the official establishment of Mathewsons Classic Car Auctions in 2011. Based in Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire, the auction house has become a destination for classic car enthusiasts throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. As of 2025, the business holds nine car auctions annually, each attracting buyers and sellers seeking quality vintage vehicles.
Derek Mathewson Wife and Family Life
Derek Mathewson wife Sue Mathewson, stood by his side for over four decades, supporting him through the building of his automotive empire. Together, they raised two sons, Paul and Dave, both of whom became deeply involved in the family business. The Mathewson household revolved around cars, with the boys growing up immersed in the world of automotive restoration and sales.
Is Derek Mathewson Still Married?
The question “is Derek Mathewson still married?” has garnered attention following recent personal life changes. Reports emerged revealing that he left his wife for a younger colleague, marking a significant shift in his personal circumstances. While this development has been a topic of public interest, Derek continues to maintain his professional responsibilities and family business connections.
Derek Mathewson Vicki Ivens
Derek Mathewson Vicki Ivens became a topic of conversation when details emerged about their relationship. Vicki Ivens works alongside Derek in the business, and their professional connection evolved into a personal one. This development represented a major change in Derek’s life, particularly given his long marriage to Sue.
Derek Mathewson Daughter
While much attention focuses on Derek Mathewson’s sons who work in the family business, questions about Derek Mathewson daughter also arise among fans. However, public information primarily highlights his two sons, Paul and Dave, as his children who are actively involved in Mathewsons Classic Car Auctions. The family business has remained a multi-generational endeavor, with the next generation carrying forward the legacy their father established.
Television Stardom: Bangers & Cash
The Show’s Launch and Success
In 2019, Derek Mathewson’s expertise and personality found a new platform when the UKTV reality documentary series “Bangers & Cash” launched. The show follows the day-to-day operations of finding and selling vehicles at auction, providing viewers with an authentic behind-the-scenes look at the classic car trade. Featuring Derek, his sons Paul and Dave, and their loyal staff, the program resonated with audiences immediately.
“Bangers & Cash” achieved average viewing figures of more than 500,000 per episode, demonstrating the public’s appetite for genuine automotive content. The show’s success stems from its authenticity—viewers appreciate seeing real transactions, honest assessments, and the genuine relationships between family members and staff.
Expanding the Brand
The popularity of “Bangers & Cash” led to spin-off series, including “Restoring Classics” and special live auction events. These expansions allowed Derek Mathewson to showcase different aspects of the automotive world, from the painstaking process of restoration to the excitement of live bidding. His deep automotive knowledge and engaging on-screen presence made him a natural television personality, despite having no formal media training.
Personal Car Collection
Derek Mathewson’s personal collection reflects his refined taste and deep appreciation for British automotive excellence. He owns five Aston Martins, including a DB6, DB MkIII, AM Vantage, DBS, and DB9 Volante. Additionally, he uses a Bentley S3 Continental as his daily driver, demonstrating that his passion extends beyond mere collecting to actual enjoyment of these magnificent machines.
His philosophy regarding car acquisition differs from typical collectors. Rather than actively searching for specific vehicles, he prefers acquiring cars that come through his auction house doors. This approach has resulted in a collection built on opportunity and genuine appreciation rather than checklist completion. He considers Aston Martin styling “second to none,” a sentiment reflected in his collection choices.
Derek Mathewson Net Worth
Financial Success
Derek Mathewson net worth is estimated between $2 million and $5 million as of January 2025. This wealth accumulation results from multiple income streams, including his auction house operations, television appearances, and various automotive ventures. The question of “how much is Derek Mathewson worth” reflects public curiosity about the financial rewards of turning automotive passion into a thriving business.
Building Wealth Through Passion
His financial success story demonstrates how expertise combined with entrepreneurial spirit can create substantial wealth. Starting with a small operation in Bedfordshire, he built a business that now operates on a national scale, attracting buyers and sellers from across the country and internationally.
Community Impact and Charitable Work
Beyond business success, Mathewsons Classic Cars has raised thousands of pounds for local charities, including Martin House Hospice. This commitment to community welfare demonstrates that Derek Mathewson views his business as part of a larger social fabric. The charitable auctions and donations reflect values instilled during his upbringing in Bedfordshire and maintained throughout his career.
Derek Mathewson Wikipedia and Public Recognition
While Derek Mathewson Wikipedia searches may not yield an official page, his recognition has grown substantially through “Bangers & Cash” and his auction house reputation. He has built a dedicated fan base that follows his television appearances and attends his auctions. The lack of a formal Wikipedia entry does not diminish his influence within the classic car community, where his expertise and authenticity speak louder than any online encyclopedia entry.
Current Operations and Legacy
Still Active in His Seventies
As of 2025, Derek Mathewson remains actively involved in daily operations despite being in his seventies. His continued presence ensures that the business maintains the standards and values he established over five decades. The family business, operating for over 50 years, stands as a testament to sustainable entrepreneurship built on genuine expertise and ethical practices.
The Next Generation
With sons Paul and Dave deeply involved in operations, the future of Mathewsons Classic Car Auctions appears secure. Derek has successfully transferred not just business knowledge but also the passion and integrity that made the enterprise successful. This multi-generational involvement ensures continuity while allowing for evolution as the classic car market changes.
Conclusion
Derek Mathewson’s journey from a curious boy in Bedfordshire village garages to a television personality and successful auction house owner exemplifies how passion combined with hard work creates lasting success. His story resonates because it feels authentic—he never pretended to be something he wasn’t, and that genuineness attracted both television audiences and serious collectors.
Whether people search for information about Derek Mathewson age, Derek Mathewson net worth, or details about his personal life, including his wife and family, they discover someone who turned automotive passion into a remarkable career. His influence extends beyond mere financial success to include inspiring a new generation of classic car enthusiasts and demonstrating that it’s never too late to pursue what you love.
At 73, he continues working with the same enthusiasm he showed as a young man, proving that when you truly love what you do, it never feels like work. The Mathewson legacy in the classic car world seems assured, built on a foundation of expertise, authenticity, and unwavering dedication to preserving automotive history for future generations.
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