'Youngtimers' represent a relatively young field of collecting, having only come into focus in recent years. Roughly speaking, the car collecting scene includes vehicles from the 1970s to the 1990s and even younger ones, provided they have 'collectible' status. 'Oldtimers', models more traditionally collected, have historically appropriated the most of the market share. But since classic cars are usually more expensive, the market for youngtimers has become an accessible entryway in the world of car collecting.
How did youngtimers become popular?
As is the case with many popular collectibles, rising prices for one group of objects are driving collectors to turn to another, albeit related, field. Since classic cars do not necessarily become cheaper over time, a younger clientele with more moderate budgets is now beginning to focus more on other models.
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The symbol of an era
Nostalgia, too, is always a decisive factor when it comes to collecting. Even if some of the new collectors might not have been born in the 1970s and 1980s, youngtimers are symbols of an iconic era that people still look up to. According to Michel Floirat, youngtimer consultant at Boisseau-Pomez (Ivoire Troyes), the enthusiasts in this category are between 30 and 55 years old and were often influenced by a particular car in their youth: perhaps their father's, their neighbor's, their cousin, and so on. Floirat believes that it is references like these that shape childhood and make buyers want to purchase a car of their own.
Trend reversal
Initially an object of dreams and a symbol of emancipation during the post-war boom, the car became more of a tool after the oil crisis of the 1970s. Designs took on functional lines, also influenced by the environmental and safety standards that were implemented in the period. For Michel Floirat, a car's style has throughout time become less and less of a priority, but youngtimers offer a piece of the past.
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Nostalgia Ultra
The popularity of youngtimers has also reached into pop culture: the racing cars from R'n'B clips are being replaced by cars from the 1980s and 1990s in new music videos by current popular artists. The Californian singer Frank Ocean is seen paying homage to a BMW 3 Series on the cover of his album, titled Nostalgia Ultra. That car is also driven by Robert Pattinson in a commercial video for the perfume Dior Homme.
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Coveted youngtimers
For new collectors wanting to get into this space, Michel Floirat recommends keeping an eye out on these models:
The Bentley Azur (1995-2003), a huge convertibe from the late 1990s; the Subaru XT (1985-1991), a Japanese UFO whose interior design resembles an aircraft cockpit; the VW Phaeton (2001-2016, 1st phase 2001-2007), the somewhat crazy dream of a familiar and sensible brand; the Range Rover L322 (2002-2012), the worthy successor to the Range Rover Classic in a more comfortable design and with a less greedy engine; and for the chic choice, the Jaguar XJ6 4.2 L Coupé.