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Keeping the Legacy Alive, The Classic Car Industry, Its Economic Impact, and the Urgent Need for Skilled Craftsmanship
- Florian Seidler
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
The world of classic and vintage cars—often referred to by the affectionate German term Oldtimer—is more than a nostalgic indulgence for collectors and enthusiasts. It is a vibrant and economically significant global industry, employing thousands and generating billions in revenue. However, as the sector grows in prominence, it also faces a looming challenge: the critical shortage of skilled mechanics, engineers, and artisans essential to its future.
A Billion-Euro Global Industry
Across Europe and beyond, the classic car industry is booming. According to the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), the economic footprint of the historic vehicle movement in Europe alone exceeds €20 billion annually. Germany leads much of the market, with estimates placing its Oldtimer sector at over €7 billion per year. The United Kingdom follows closely, contributing approximately £5.5 billion (€6.4 billion) annually to the economy.
In the United States, the classic car market is estimated to be worth over $30 billion, driven by restoration, sales, auctions, and events like Pebble Beach and Barrett-Jackson.
Employment: A Backbone of Skilled Labor
The industry sustains a wide ecosystem of businesses and professionals, including:
Restoration specialists and master craftsmen
Auto mechanics and electrical engineers
Upholsterers, panel beaters, and coachbuilders
Parts suppliers and logistics providers
Auction houses, insurers, and heritage consultants
In the UK alone, the classic car industry employs over 34,000 people directly and supports an additional 100,000 indirectly. Continental Europe shows similar trends, with thousands employed in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
The Crisis of Skills Shortage
Despite its value, the classic car industry is under existential threat—not from waning interest, but from a declining pool of skilled labor. The unique expertise required to service and restore vintage vehicles is
disappearing as older generations of craftsmen retire without successors. Traditional techniques such as lead loading, hand-forming aluminum panels, or tuning carbureted engines are becoming rare skills.
This shortage is already having tangible effects:
Increased restoration costs due to limited availability of qualified technicians.
Longer project lead times and waiting lists that stretch years.
Diminished resale value for cars that are improperly restored or remain unrestored due to lack of talent.
If unaddressed, this skills gap could erode investor confidence in classic cars as stable, appreciating assets.
The Value of Training: Securing the Future
To preserve the value, heritage, and economic viability of the classic car sector, urgent investment in training is needed. This includes:
Apprenticeships in classic car mechanics and bodywork
Certification programs for restorers and heritage engineers
Support for technical colleges to include traditional automotive skills
Funding and scholarships from both public and private sectors
Organizations like the UK’s Heritage Skills Academy and Germany’s Oldtimer Markt are already leading the way, but much more is needed at both grassroots and governmental levels.
Why This Matters
Classic cars are rolling works of art and history. They connect us to eras of design, engineering, and culture that shaped the modern world. They are also sound investments—when properly cared for. At Pristine Classics, we believe that preserving these icons is not only a matter of passion but also of responsibility.
To keep the classic car industry vibrant and viable, we must treat it as what it truly is: a skilled trade, an art form, and an economic engine worth protecting.
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