The golden age in full swing at the Top Marques show in Monaco

If the best jams are made in old jars, are the best cars made in old models? A must-see event for car enthusiasts, the Top Marques show opened Wednesday evening at the Grimaldi Forum for the twentieth time in its history. Once again, the Monaco event brings together numerous supercars and hypercars, each as impressive as the next, such as the Laffite LM1 "Monaco edition," the Aston Martin "Vanquish Volante," and the Bugatti Bolide.

Yet it's hard to miss another event that once again takes place alongside these dream cars: the Classic Car Hall, a celebration of automotive history. Launched in 2022, it brings together an exceptional selection of rare and historic vehicles from private collectors, museums, and specialist dealers. And it's a resounding success, given the number of visitors stopping to admire these pieces of history.

It must be said that the Monaco show saw things in a big way this year with many collector's items such as a Ferrari 246 Dino GT, a 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR, and a 1977 Alpine A110, among the very latest produced. Vintage car enthusiasts can also discover Top Classics, dedicated to Mercedes and Ferrari; Fast N Classic with its American cars, as well as Kiaba Anton, DPM Motors, Garage Dayraut, Atunes Automobiles, RM Autosport and Fiat 500 Classics.

"These vehicles are in vogue because they have a soul and a story to tell. These two elements provide an additional emotion to the buyer. There are more and more collectors of prestigious vintage cars. They shouldn't be compared to supercars, however; buyers aren't looking for the same sensations," explains Thierry Boutsen, a former Belgian racing driver and manager of the brokerage firm Boutsen Classic Cars, dedicated to the sale of exceptional vehicles.

An exhibitor in the Classic Car Hall, he was active in the creation of this section three years ago and has witnessed firsthand the growing demand for these classic cars.

A new generation of collectors

While the size of the hall dedicated to these virtually unique models hasn't changed since last year, the number of cars on display has increased, reaching nearly 100 models compared to just over 70 in 2024. And the visitor profile predicts a future shift in the coming years. "Buyers aren't rushing. During the four days of the show, they take the time to think things through and find the model's place in their collection. We're seeing a generational shift among classic car collectors. Older collectors are now looking to part with certain models, while younger people are becoming increasingly passionate about these cars. The average age of buyers is between 30 and 40," adds the Belgian specialist.

There's no question of pitting classic cars against supercars, however; each type offers its buyer a different experience. Some will prefer technology, comfort, and performance, while other visitors will gravitate toward history, memories, and the collection of models from another era.

For those looking to start a new collection, around 95% of the classic cars on display are for sale during Top Marques 2025.