Classic car drivers and fans naturally age at the same pace as the vehicles. But how are the 300,000 or so examples of rolling cultural heritage (including many rare technical and design gems) to be preserved for posterity? This requires younger people with a passion who enjoy driving, being admired - and occasionally even wrenching.
The organizers of Switzerland's largest classic car fair, Swiss Classic World, Zwischengas and the classic car insurer Belmot Swiss therefore conducted a large-scale survey to find the best car for newcomers to the classic car or youngtimer hobby.
There were 50 cars to choose from that were at least youngtimers and that were affordable (up to a maximum of 30,000 francs), relatively suitable for everyday use and could also be used on longer journeys. The maintenance costs should also remain within reasonable limits; a certain availability on the open market was a further requirement.
In March and April 2024, Zwischengas readers were able to choose up to three cars that they would recommend to a "newcomer" to the classic car world in their own circle of friends with a clear conscience.
And the winner is...
One thing first: there was no clear favorite. Fortunately, tastes differ widely, as this saves the variety of cars in which love and money are invested. And yet there was a winner: out of almost 3000 participants, 6.3% voted for the good old VW Beetle, followed by the MGB (5.8%), Mazda MX-5 (5.5%), Fiat Nuova 500 (5.1%) and the increasingly popular BMW E30 convertibles (4.9%). They were followed by the Alfa Romeo Spider, Volvo Amazon, Citroën 2 CV, Mini and Ford Mustang.
It is probably no coincidence that the VW Beetle came out on top. It is also one of the most registered classic cars and shaped the streetscape in German-speaking Europe for decades. It also clearly outperformed its successor, the VW Golf (13th place, 2.4% of votes). The top ten primarily includes models from the 1960s. Exceptions are the MX-5 and the BMW E30, which were only built from the 1980s onwards.
In addition to the 50 specified entry-level classics, participants were also able to name other vehicles. The Citroën ID/DS, the Fiat 600, the Mercedes-Benz W 123, the MG Midget/Austin-Healey Sprite and the VW Golf II received several mentions.
Many readers also won - thank you very much for taking part!
The winners of the prizes from our campaign partners have recently been drawn and informed by e-mail. The winners of the main prizes are asked to come to the Zwischengas stand (no. 227 in Hall 2) at the Swiss Classic World in Lucerne on June 2, 2024 by 12:00 noon. All other readers are of course also very welcome!
| Rank | Brand/Type | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VW Beetle | 6.3% |
| 2 | MGB (Roadster and GT) | 5.8% |
| 3 | Mazda MX-5 (NA/NB) | 5.5% |
| 4 | Fiat Nuova 500 | 5.1% |
| 5 | BMW 316-325i Convertible (E30) | 4.9% |
| 6 | Alfa Romeo Spider (1300-2000) | 4.4% |
| 7 | Volvo Amazon | 4.2% |
| 8 | Citroën 2 CV | 3.4% |
| 9 | Austin/Morris/Rover Mini | 3.3% |
| 10 | Ford Mustang (1964-1969) | 2.8% |
| 11 | Ford Capri | 2.5% |
| 12 | Triumph TR4-6 | 2.5% |
| 13 | VW Golf Lim/Cabriolet (Mk1) | 2.4% |
| 14 | BMW '02 (1602-2002) | 2.3% |
| 15 | Fiat 124 Spider | 2.3% |
| 16 | Mercedes-Benz 280-560 SL (R107) | 2.2% |
| 17 | Audi (80) Coupé | 2.2% |
| 18 | Alfa Romeo Giulia | 2.2% |
| 19 | Fiat Panda | 2.1% |
| 20 | Porsche 924/944 | 2% |
| 21 | Peugeot 205 | 1.8% |
| 22 | Triumph Spitfire | 1.8% |
| 23 | Renault 4 | 1.8% |
| 24 | Saab 900 | 1.7% |
| 25 | Mercedes-Benz W124 (Lim/T/C) | 1.7% |
| 26 | Mercedes-Benz /8 | 1.5% |
| 27 | Toyota Celica | 1.4% |
| 28 | Audi TT | 1.4% |
| 29 | Opel Manta B | 1.4% |
| 30 | Lancia Fulvia Coupé | 1.3% |
| 31 | Peugeot 504 Coupé/Cabriolet | 1.3% |
| 32 | Peugeot 404 | 1.2% |
| 33 | Mercedes-Benz 280-600 SL (R129) | 1.2% |
| 34 | Porsche Boxster (1st Gen) | 1.1% |
| 35 | Alfa Romeo Berlina 1750/2000 | 1% |
| 36 | VW Bus T3 | 1% |
| 37 | Lotus Elise | 1% |
| 38 | Fiat Barchetta | 0.9% |
| 39 | Mercedes-Benz SLK | 0.9% |
| 40 | Opel Rekord B/C/D | 0.9% |
| 41 | Ford Escort | 0.8% |
| 42 | Borgward Isabella | 0.8% |
| 43 | Renault 4 CV | 0.7% |
| 44 | Ford Model A | 0.6% |
| 45 | Morris Minor | 0.6% |
| 46 | Renault 16 | 0.6% |
| 47 | Subaru Impreza | 0.6% |
| 48 | Fiat Coupé | 0.4% |
| 49 | Renault 12 | 0.2% |
| 50 | Mitsubishi Sapporo | 0.1% |
The partners of the 2024 entry-level classic car election
Belmot Swiss
Belmot welcomes all "newcomers" and offers the right insurance "with all the trimmings" for every classic or modern classic car. The special Belmot value proposition including all-risk cover, waiver of mileage limits, insurance at replacement value, cover for younger vehicles in combination with a classic car make the Belmot Suisse offers attractive for many classic car and youngtimer owners.
Emil Frey Classics
Hardly any other car offers as much freedom and adventure as a classic car. Emil Frey Classics offers a choice of nine classic cars for hire, plus a large chauffeur-driven limousine so that you don't have to drive yourself on special days. And for groups, we can even take up to 25 classic cars on the road at once. Ask us for a non-binding offer.
Dino Raduno Silvaplana
Last year, the International Dino Meeting took place in Silvaplana for the first time. Thanks to the "Dino enthusiasm" of the organizers and the participation in the Swiss Classic World in Lucerne and the Auto e Moto d'epoca in Bologna, the meeting was a complete success with 30 cars from six countries. In summer 2024, the International Dino Meeting will therefore take place again in the Upper Engadine over four days full of enjoyment and driving fun.
Swiss Classic World Rally
The Swiss Classic World Rally is a new Swiss rally for classic vehicles. It takes place as part of the popular classic car fair Swiss Classic World. In 2024, the rally is planned as a "prologue", i.e. a one-day round trip with various special stages and a supporting program. In 2025, the rally is to be expanded into a fully-fledged two-day event.
