Classic Car Dealer, Collector & Writer: Simon Kidston – Classic Cars, Earned Authenticity, & Doing What You Love

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Simon Kidston, one of the most respected figures in the classic car world, a dealer, collector, and writer whose life has been shaped by an unwavering obsession with the machines that defined an era, to explore what it truly means to turn a passion into a life's work. Raised across cultures and educated in the Swiss Alps, Simon reflects on the upbringing that sharpened his eye, deepened his taste, and drew him inevitably towards the world of rare and extraordinary automobiles.

The conversation moves through the philosophy of collecting, the singular allure of cars like the Mercedes 300 SLR, and why authenticity in this world cannot be manufactured, it can only be earned over time. Simon shares what classic cars reveal about the people who seek them, why obsession and discernment so often go hand in hand, and what it means to keep old machines alive and relevant in a modern era. At the heart of it all sits a quietly compelling conviction: that doing something you truly love is not indulgent, it is essential. A rich and unhurried conversation about passion, provenance, and the art of knowing exactly what you are looking for.

Filmed at The Twenty Two (London), Gingko Suite.

(00:00) Intro ✨🎙️

(05:17) From Passion To Job ❤️💼

(07:05) First Car 🚗🔑

(08:52) Upbringing 🏡👶

(12:30) Gstaad 🏔️❄️

(15:04) Relationship Building 🤝❤️

(21:27) Mercedes 300 SLR 🏎️💨

(28:28) Archetypes Of The Car World 🚗🎭

(33:26) The I.C.E. 🔥⚙️

(35:27) "The Gstaad Collector" 🏔️🏆

(37:29) Andermatt 🇨🇭⛰️

(38:59) Dream 5-Car Garage 🚗✨

(48:19) Bugatti Royale 👑🏎️

(54:22) Rallies 🏁🚗

(54:57) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨

(1:00:50) "Do Something That You Love" ❤️🌟

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