Investing in classic or prestige cars can be an interesting financial investment, as long as it is made on the right models. With offices in Orleans, Paris and Fontainebleau, Cars-Up, a company specialized in concierge services and guarding of exceptional automobiles, brings its expert eye to bear.
In order to secure one's investment in exceptional automobiles, it is advisable to target models whose value is likely to increase. However, for neophytes, it is common to fall into the trap of the speculative bubble, hence the importance of being accompanied by a professional with a deep knowledge of the market. An expertise that Cars-Up is able to provide. " Thanks to our in-depth knowledge of the automotive market and our expertise in the field of classic and prestige vehicles, we can reassure our clients about the purchase of specific models," says Samuel Lelarge, founder and director of Cars-Up.
The pitfalls of speculation
Betting on the "wrong horse" can result in significant financial losses. After soaring a few years ago, the price of certain cars has fallen sharply today. Correlated to a high demand over a given period and then sold at a high price, these fashion phenomena now exclude a return on investment. This is notably the case for certain youngtimers and other vehicles that are over-mediatized by the brands. Nevertheless, certain criteria allow us to target with precision the models that are likely to increase in value in the years to come.
The four aces
The rule that rarity has value also holds true in the automotive world. Limited production series are a perfect example. These include the Fisker Karma, the Citroën Xantia Activa V6 and the Porsche 924 Turbo Carrera GT.
Avant-garde in their time, cars with atypical intrinsic characteristics rarely see their value drop. This is notably the case for the Citroën SM, the Mercedes SLR or the Alfa Romeo Montreal. Another aspect is the vehicle's performance or racing career. The Alfa Romeo 8C, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, or the Lancia Stratos are among the list of high value vehicles.
A widely recognized criterion is the historical, cult or media character of a car. The more the vehicle has marked its era, been made famous in a movie or belonged to a personality, the more its value tends to increase. One thinks of Johnny Halliday's Ford Mustang or the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 from the first opus of the Fast and Furious saga.
So, safe value or speculative value? When you want to invest in an exceptional car, the idea is not to follow the market trend but to anticipate it or to bet on the right horse. The advice of an expert allows you to avoid certain pitfalls and thus put all the chances on your side.
