Classic car brands: the major prestige houses

What vintage car brand Will they still captivate collectors in 2026? The most prestigious are Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Hispano-Suiza, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini: brands founded between 1886 and 1963, whose flagship models now trade for anywhere from a few hundred thousand to tens of millions of euros. Their common thread: a rich history, a proven track record in motorsport, and deliberately limited production.

This guide traces the history of twelve legendary brands, their iconic models, their observed auction prices, and the rules to know in Switzerland and France for driving in classic car.

What is a great classic car brand?

Not all cars over 30 years old are created equal. The brands that dominate the collector car market generally meet four criteria:

• A sporting record: victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mille Miglia or in Grand Prix, which have built the brand's technical reputation.
• Limited production: a few dozen or a few hundred copies for the most sought-after models.
• Coachbuilding expertise: chassis dressed by Pininfarina, Touring, Figoni and Falaschi, Mulliner or Bertone.
• A documented history: certificates of origin, maintenance history, famous owners, matching engine and chassis numbers.

It is this blend of rarity, beauty and legend that explains why some houses, sometimes gone for decades, remain absolute benchmarks.

The founding houses of luxury automobiles (1886 to 1920)

Mercedes-Benz: the inventor of the automobile

It all began on January 29, 1886, when Carl Benz filed the patent for his "Motorwagen," considered the first modern automobile. The merger with Daimler in 1926 gave birth to Mercedes-Benz. Among its masterpieces, the 1954 300 SL with its gullwing doors remains one of the most sought-after collector cars in the world. In May 2022, a 300 SLR "Uhlenhaut Coupé" was auctioned for €135 million, an absolute record for a car, as announced by the manufacturer itself.

Rolls-Royce: "the best car in the world"«

The meeting between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce in Manchester in 1904 gave birth to the British marque. As early as 1907, the 40/50 HP "Silver Ghost" completed an endurance test of over 20,000 km with unprecedented reliability and earned the nickname "the best car in the world." Pre-war Phantoms, often with bespoke coachwork, are among the most prized pieces in any collection.

Hispano-Suiza: the genius of a Genevan engineer

Founded in Barcelona in 1904, Hispano-Suiza owes its excellence to Marc Birkigt, an engineer born in Geneva in 1878. Its aircraft engine powered fighter planes during the First World War, hence the flying stork that adorns the radiator caps. The H6, presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1919, introduced power-assisted brakes on all four wheels—a revolution. For a Swiss enthusiast, it is undoubtedly the most endearing of the classic car brands.

Bentley: the «Bentley Boys» at Le Mans

Founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley, the brand won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, then four times in a row from 1927 to 1930, driven by a group of wealthy drivers nicknamed the "Bentley Boys". Acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1931, it has since maintained this dual identity, combining luxury and sport.

The golden age of coachbuilders (1920 to 1950)

Bugatti: Art in Molsheim

Ettore Bugatti established his factory in Molsheim, Alsace, in 1909. The Type 35 became one of the most victorious racing cars of its time, while the Type 57 SC Atlantic, of which only four were built, embodied Art Deco on wheels.

Delahaye: French elegance

Founded by Émile Delahaye at the end of the 19th century, the brand reached its peak with the 135: victories at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1937 and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1938. Dressed by Figoni and Falaschi, its teardrop-shaped bodies triumphed in the concours d'élégance of the time, and still today at Pebble Beach or Villa d'Este.

Alfa Romeo: the Milan school

Founded in Milan in 1910, Alfa Romeo dominated the circuits between the two world wars. The 8C 2300 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row, from 1931 to 1934. A fascinating detail: a certain Enzo Ferrari was then managing the Scuderia that fielded the official Alfa Romeo teams.

Post-war icons (1947 to 1970)

Ferrari: the myth of Maranello

In 1947, the 125 S was the first car to bear the Ferrari name. Fifteen years later, the 250 GTO, of which 36 were produced between 1962 and 1964, became the Holy Grail for collectors: one example was sold for $51.7 million in New York in November 2023, a record for a Ferrari at auction.

Porsche: from the 356 to the 911

The first Porsche, the 356 "No. 1", was homologated on June 8, 1948. In 1963, the brand presented the 901 in Frankfurt, renamed the 911: its rear-mounted, flat-six engine is still in production sixty years later. This unique longevity makes the early 911s highly sought-after.

Jaguar: the Geneva revelation

In March 1961, Jaguar unveiled the E-Type at the Geneva Motor Show. Its design caused a sensation, and its performance-to-price ratio shook up the sports cars of the time. Before it, the C-Type and D-Type had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times between 1951 and 1957.

Aston Martin: British elegance

Founded in London in 1913, Aston Martin entered into legend in 1964 with the DB5 from "Goldfinger". Its winged emblem also has a rich history, which we recount in our article on the origin of the Aston Martin logo.

Lamborghini: the supercar was born in Geneva

Ferruccio Lamborghini founded his brand in 1963 to compete with Ferrari. In 1966, the Miura, presented at the Geneva Motor Show, invented the modern supercar with its mid-mounted transverse V12 engine. In 1971, also in Geneva, the Countach pushed the boundaries of design even further.

Table: 12 classic car brands and their flagship models

Orders of magnitude observed during recent public sales, for guidance purposes only: the actual value depends on the condition, history and authenticity of each copy.

News: October 2026, the Zoute auctions confirm the strength of the market

On October 9th and 11th, 2026, in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, the Broad Arrow and Bonhams sales at the Zoute Grand Prix totaled approximately €44.8 million. A 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S fetched over €1.7 million, a 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL reached nearly €1.3 million, and a Ferrari Dino 206 GT exceeded €560,000. This demonstrates that major historic auction houses remain safe havens for investment, and that modern supercars like a LaFerrari, which sold for over €5 million, are already joining this elite group.

Buying a classic car: the true cost

The auction price is only part of the investment. A numerical example for a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL acquired for €1.2 million and held for five years (average estimates):

That's about 20 % of the purchase price in five years, not counting any possible restoration: from 10,000 to 50,000 euros for a routine refurbishment, but often several hundred thousand euros for a concours-level restoration on a pre-war model.

Before making any purchase, three things to remember:

• require the complete history and manufacturer's certificates (Mercedes-Benz Classic, Ferrari Classiche, Porsche Classic); ;
• have the vehicle inspected by a specialist independent of the brand; ;
• check that the chassis, engine and gearbox numbers match.

Driving a classic car in Switzerland and France

In Switzerland, a car first registered more than 30 years ago can obtain the status of veteran vehicle (Code 180 in the vehicle registration document). Main conditions: original condition, very good maintenance, private use only, and limited annual mileage, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 km depending on the canton. The application is made during the vehicle inspection at the motor vehicle department, for example, at the canton of Vaud, according to the OFROU instructions.

In France, a car over 30 years old can receive a "classic car" registration certificate, with a mandatory roadworthiness test every five years. In both countries, specialized insurance covering the agreed value of the vehicle is strongly recommended.

From yesterday's legends to today's exceptional cars in Geneva

Owning a classic car requires time, an air-conditioned garage, and a substantial budget. To experience the heritage of these brands on a daily basis, F-Motors Sàrl, an agency specializing in the rental and subscription of luxury cars and supercars, based in Chavannes-de-Bogis, canton of Vaud, near Geneva, offers their modern successors, with insurance and maintenance included:

• there Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder, spiritual descendant of the Miura with its naturally aspirated mid-engine, from CHF 1,750 per day or from CHF 6,800 per month with down payment; ;
• there Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, faithful to the flat six-cylinder engine of 1963, from 650 CHF per day or from 1,800 CHF per month with down payment; ;
• the Mercedes-AMG G-Class 63, born in 1979 and already a classic, from CHF 950 per day or from CHF 3,600 per month with down payment; ;
• The Bentley Continental GT V8 S, direct heir to the "Bentley Boys", from CHF 750 per day or from CHF 2,800 per month with down payment.

One of the few agencies in Switzerland to offer both the luxury car rental Geneva to the day and a luxury car subscription Switzerland All inclusive (One package from 6 to 24 months depending on the model, or PLUS package with four vehicle changes per year). Free delivery and return to Geneva-Cointrin airport, anywhere else in Switzerland upon request: ideal for a weekend in Gstaad, a concours d'élégance or a visit to the Geneva Motor Show.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive brand of classic car?

Mercedes-Benz holds the absolute record with the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, sold for 135 million euros in 2022. Ferrari follows with the 250 GTO, auctioned for 51.7 million dollars in 2023.

At what age does a car become old?

In Switzerland as in France, the administrative threshold is 30 years, which entitles the holder to veteran status or to a collector's registration card, under certain conditions.

Which historic brands were born in Geneva or were discovered there?

Hispano-Suiza owes its excellence to the Genevan Marc Birkigt, and the Geneva Motor Show revealed the Jaguar E-Type in 1961 and then the Lamborghini Miura in 1966.

Can you drive a car inheriting these brands without buying it?

Yes: F-Motors, near Geneva, offers Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes-AMG and Bentley for day rental or all-inclusive monthly subscription.

Experience the legend behind the wheel

Want to get behind the wheel of a car inherited from these great brands? Contact F-Motors at +41 22 558 92 37, by email at contact@f-motors.ch, or book directly on https://www.f-motors.ch.