Classic Trader Portrait with Georg Jessen from Jessen Classic Cars

In our Classic Trader Portraits, we regularly introduce you to selected classic car dealers and people from the scene. This time with Georg Jessen of Jessen Classic Cars.

Please briefly introduce yourself and your company. What is the speciality of Jessen Classic Cars?

My name is Georg Jessen, founder and managing director of Jessen Classic Cars. I come from the world of premium car sales and have worked for over 25 years as a specialist in Mercedes-Benz off-road vehicles and as an AMG sales expert, amongst other roles. At some point, I realised that my true passion lies with the cars that fascinated me even as a child – classic and modern classics.

With Jessen Classic Cars, I have brought these two things together: my sales experience and my love of classic cars. My focus is on classics with history, character and solid potential for appreciation. In other words, cars that fulfil dreams without being unaffordable.

What do we offer? Honest, transparent advice, a personalised search for suitable vehicles, reputable buying and selling – and for anyone who sees classics as an investment, a buy-to-sell model too. For me, it’s always about the person behind the car. A classic car is not a rational decision. It is a matter of the heart. Whether Mercedes-Benz, BMW or other makes: for me, classic and modern classics are rolling memories. And it is precisely this feeling that I want to pass on – authentically, accessibly and with the aim of finding the right piece of automotive lifestyle for everyone.

Our motto sums it up: “Drive your dream.” And perhaps that dream begins right here.

When did you catch the ‘virus’ of classic vehicles and collector cars? Was there a key experience in your childhood/youth that turned you into a classic car enthusiast?

For as long as I can remember, cars have fascinated me. In my childhood, it was the everyday cars of the 1970s that are etched into my memory. Whether on my way to school, at the side of the road – the Alfa Romeo Giulia or the Citroën DS – or in the family circle, the Ford Escort RS2000 or the neighbours’ Porsche 911. I admired them all and enjoyed being allowed to ride along.

What do you like most about your job – what do you like least?

I love seeing the excitement in my customers’ eyes the moment they stand next to the car they’re interested in. The highlight is the moment they realise they’ve found their car and are, quite literally, love at first sight. It makes me happy to see this feeling across all customer groups, regardless of their age, whether they’re male or female, wealthy or not.

I find it difficult when customers won’t accept genuine patina on a classic or modern classic car. For me, patina is part and parcel of classic cars; it’s what gives a vehicle its unique character.

Which brand(s) do you like? Which are your three favourite classics and why?

The brands that have shaped me? Without a doubt, the ones that dominated the streetscape during my childhood and teenage years – and some of which I was even able to drive myself: Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Alfa Romeo.

My favourite classics? I have three very personal favourites:
1. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class W 116.
It belonged to the father of a football team-mate – and I was completely fascinated by its quality and that perfection, which was unrivalled at the time.
2. My green metallic VW Golf I GTI.
A 1.8-litre with 112 hp. This car took me back from Sonthofen to Schleswig-Holstein at breakneck speed. For me, it was a pure sense of freedom.
3. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
I was allowed to drive it at the Lausitzring shortly after it came onto the market. An absolutely extraordinary experience that you never forget.

What was the most unusual vehicle you’ve had to deal with so far?

Sometimes it’s not the car itself that matters, but the story behind it. I’ve been entrusted with the sale of a Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé by a client. The car has covered fewer than 150,000 km since 1971, comes in a stunning copper metallic paint finish with parchment leather upholstery, and has had four previous owners. That wouldn’t be anything special, were it not for the fact that the last three owners were grandfather, father and son, who owned the vehicle for over 50 years and always ‘cherished and cared for’ it, so that it is now on offer here with a dignified and wonderful patina. What was particularly moving for me was the emotion the owner showed when he handed the car over to me. He gave me the car not primarily to sell it, because he wanted to make money from it, but because he no longer has the time to look after the well-being of this unique automotive work of art as it deserves. We will certainly sell it to someone who appreciates the history of this car.

Value appreciation/preservation: Which horse should you back now? How do you think performance will develop over the next few years?

I don’t think you need to bet on a horse at all – that’s far too narrow a way of thinking. In my view, capital appreciation isn’t the key factor when it comes to classic or vintage cars. What really matters is the enhanced quality of life and enjoyment you gain from driving such a vehicle. “Drive your dream” is worth far more than simply maximising capital appreciation.

Which do you think is the most underrated or overrated classic and why?

Generally speaking, there are a few underrated classics. For me, one of them is the Peugeot 205 GTI. A small, lightweight car with a powerful engine and brilliant suspension that handles almost like a go-kart. Very few good examples have survived because they were simply ‘driven to death’. In my view, the Porsche 911 is overrated – and now many will think I’m mad. I think it’s a really great car, but the hype is driven by speculation. There may be a few rare 911 models, but I consider many of them to be overrated simply because there are so many of them.

Do you see a generational change in the market for classic vehicles? If so, what do you think?

I don’t see a generational shift in the workforce. Rather, I see more suppliers entering the market. Alongside the traditional suppliers – who seem to offer hundreds of vehicles and, in my view, no longer know the individual cars at all – there have been small but excellent suppliers emerging in recent years, such as Garage 11, Kultwagenhalle, STAS Motors, or myself, to name but a few. We have a manageable range and know every single vehicle. Of course, we need to make a profit too, but our priority is also to find the right car for each customer and make them happy. You can’t achieve that if you have an unmanageable range. Customers appreciate that.

What is an absolute ‘taboo’ for you when it comes to classics?

The same rules apply to classic cars as to newer vehicles. No tampering with mileage, vehicle history or concealing the car’s condition. Transparency and honesty are paramount, even if it means losing a deal on occasion. It is better for the customer to realise before buying that it is not the right car for them. This fosters a trusting, almost friendly relationship with my customers, whom I treat as equals.

Where does the topic of ‘classics’ end for you and, above all, why?

Restomods have become increasingly fashionable in recent years. To me, this blend of modern technology and vintage design does not constitute a classic car. While these vehicles are undoubtedly superb in terms of craftsmanship and engineering, they cannot convey what a true classic conveys: emotions that have become ingrained in the very fabric of the mechanics and interior through decades of use. Experiences you can almost touch as soon as you step inside the vehicle. Admiration for the engineering, love and dedication with which vehicles used to be designed and built.

Which modern vehicles do you think have the potential to become real classic cars in 30 years’ time?

In my view, these are not merely vehicles produced in limited numbers as highly exclusive models. They can also be vehicles that served as everyday practical cars, few of which have survived, yet which remain etched in the memories of many. The first generation of the Mercedes SLK, the Audi TT or the BMW Z3 are examples of this for me. Vehicles built using particularly sophisticated technical solutions also fall into this category. The AMG GT from the 190 series, with its front-mid-engine layout, dry-sump lubrication, torque tube and transaxle design, is one such car. Its successors feature technically simpler mass-production technology and therefore fall significantly short.

How do you see the future of the classic car trade and what challenges are there?

The classic car trade is also undergoing a transformation – it is becoming increasingly digital. A successful classic car dealer of the future needs not only passion, but also a clear understanding of the market, digital visibility, transparent processes and a deep understanding of what drives customers. This is precisely where Jessen Classic Cars comes in. We do not view classic and modern classic cars as luxury items, but as affordable cultural assets that are chosen with care and driven with pleasure.

The future belongs to dealers who build trust, convey values and give people back what modern vehicles have often lost: fascination, character and an authentic driving experience.

Which vehicle would you definitely like to drive again and, above all, why?

A Dodge Viper! An absolutely incredible car: a 10-cylinder mid-engine, manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, no driver-assistance systems. Over 8 litres of displacement, incredible torque, the engine was developed with support from Lamborghini – a car like that would never have made it onto the road today, and certainly not at the price it cost back then. And the Viper is said to be difficult to drive as well, so it’s a challenge that can make your palms sweat.

In your opinion, what are the most beautiful routes that you can ‘experience’ in a classic car?

It doesn’t matter at all which route you take. The main thing is that you’re driving a classic car. Sometimes, simply driving to and from work is enough to give you that soothing, relaxing feeling. Of course, a drive along the roads of Tuscany takes that feeling to a whole new level.

What would you most like to give a ‘classic car newcomer’?

Anyone venturing into classic cars for the first time should look for a partner who offers honest advice, provides clear explanations and openly discusses both the strengths and weaknesses of a vehicle. A good classic car doesn’t just feel right – it’s also technically sound and suits your everyday life and budget. It’s also important not to let perfectionism hold you back. Many newcomers believe they must find ‘the flawless collector’s car’ straight away. Yet the best stories often begin with a car that perhaps bears small traces of its past — and is all the more full of character for it.

My personal advice is therefore: find a classic car that puts a smile on your face – and a dealer you can trust. Then begins a journey that goes far beyond the purchase itself. Classic and modern classics bring joy, help us slow down and connect us with a time when driving was still a source of fascination.

Thank you very much for the interview.

CONTACT

Jessen Classic Cars
Zuckerberg 21
55276 Oppenheim
Germany

www.jessen-classic-cars.de

Fotos Jessen Classic Cars

Author: Classic Trader

Die Classic Trader Redaktion besteht aus Oldtimer-Enthusiasten, die Euch mit spannenden Geschichten versorgen. Kaufberatungen, unsere Traum Klassiker, Händlerportraits und Erfahrungsberichte von Messen, Rallyes und Events. #drivenbydesire View all posts by Classic Trader →