What is meant by Youngtimer?
In recent years, there has been an explosion of the youngtimer phenomenon, which concerns the collecting of relatively recent cars. This expression can be somewhat contrasted with the term oldtimer, i.e. the historic vehicles perceived as such.
There is still some confusion on the temporal classification of this genre of cars, even among collectors. There are those who include cars from the 1970s, those who start with cars from the 1980s, and those who even classify youngtimers as little more than 20-year-old. The Fédération International des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) classifies these vehicles on a purely age-related criterion, i.e. as being between 20-29 years old, preserved in good condition and not used as a daily vehicle. Outside the age criterion, however, we can define youngtimers as vehicles that, thanks to motoring enthusiasts, are experiencing a second youth and are coming back into fashion. Not being historic cars to all intents and purposes, they can in fact be considered as the first rung of the ladder of collecting, but the phenomenon has recently exploded outside the narrow circles of specialists for mainly economic and emotional reasons.
But why are they able to arouse such emotions especially today? The cars coming out of the factories today are increasingly perfect, electronic, multimedia and automated but less and less able to convey true driving pleasure. Youngtimers, on the other hand, retain their analogue charm and often link to indelible childhood memories.
Youngtimer Quotations
From an economic point of view, youngtimers are at the heart of collectors’ items, with quotations often within reach of most pockets, so that prestigious models can be garaged at bargain prices. For some categories of cars, however, some quotations have already taken on very attractive valuations. Today investing in youngtimers can certainly be an excellent investment, as it is a market in great ferment.
Knowing how to identify which models will rise in value next and how to evaluate them qualitatively when buying them, however, is not an easy job if you do not have the right skills. Fancy finding out more?
