Market Intelligence
Under 30 – Over 55
A survey conducted among 500 individuals at five major international classic car events aimed to understand the differences between younger and older generations' preferences for car models and marques. While the Mercedes 300SL, Lamborghini Miura, and Aston Martin DB5 were universally appealing, there were notable differences in tastes between younger and older collectors, with the Porsche Carrera RS, Lamborghini Countach, and BMW 2002 Turbo being popular among the younger generation and the Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar E-Type, and Mercedes-Benz W133 Pagoda among the older generation.
What follows is the outcome of the first international survey involving a significant cross-section of 500 individuals interviewed within the framework of five major international events devoted to classic car collecting: Retromobile in Paris, Retro Classic in Struttgart, The London Classic Car Show, the La Classic Car Show and the Auto e moto d’epoca in Padova. Devised at the behest of the Classic Car Trust, the aim of the study is to establish to what extent the older and new generations of collectors differ in their interests and focus regarding models and marques, and what this could mean for the future of collecting. The interviewees were divided into two sub-samples, each comprising 250 individuals: the first were young people up to the age of 30; and the second, people belonging to the over-55 category. The generational leap was deliberately introduced in order to undestand more clearly the evolution of ideas and tastes.
It is clear that between the younger and the older generations there is a real difference in the perceived appeal of model and marques. This difference hower does not apply to a select number of rare models that transcend all taste barriers attributable to age: Mercedes 300SL, Lamborghini Miura and Aston Martin DB5 are central to the dreams and desires of all generations.
