My classic of the year 2025. And an honorable mention

On June 10, 2025, I said goodbye to the Volvo V50 and the Saab 96 GL V4 Super with mixed feelings. There were several reasons for this. The most important was that I spotted a 1997 Opel Omega 2.0 16V GL. Swedish-spec and imported, well-maintained for almost three decades, and in the same family, with a pristine odometer reading of less than 66.000 kilometers. I was immediately impressed by the car, and after the first few kilometers, I knew it had to be mine. And so it was.

I bought the car with the intention of using it regularly and cherishing it. There was no ambition beforehand to quickly increase the mileage to a much higher level. I did decide to take the Opel to Austria in August. Something wonderful happened there, something truly wonderful. At the hotel at the Maltatal campsite, I met my beloved Ruslana. She works there, she crossed paths with me, and the spark ignited. Meanwhile, thanks to love, I returned to Malta in Carinthia three times. And I took Ruslana to Ushgorod in Ukraine. That was a very moving, loving, and unforgettable trip for both of us. She would be in her homeland for three weeks. I returned to the Netherlands the next day, via Slovakia and Poland. With love and the pain of the temporary separation in my heart. And with the knowledge that Ukraine has no safe areas.

Unexpected and beautiful extra kilometers

The Opel's odometer now reads 83.300 kilometers. In short: I've driven 18.000 kilometers in the Omega, most of which I did abroad. In complete comfort, in complete peace. Stoically. With love. For love. The Opel perfectly proves why it's worthwhile to drive a well-maintained modern classic. Considering its age and despite its rarity on the road, it's not quite classic yet. But because of everything I've experienced with and thanks to this car, it actually meets all the requirements to become my classic car of the year, including in economic terms. There are two reasons for not giving my own car the highest spot on the podium. The first is a matter of modesty. The second reason is French, and it comes from Leeuwarden.

Farewell to a friend

Meanwhile, I also said goodbye to our former second family car. Over the years, I regularly updated you on the Starlet's ups and downs. After well over €300,000 on the clock, it was time for the end, after almost eight years of loving ownership, during which the Toyota always provided great pleasure and proved to be a lifesaver more than once. The Starlet was my statement, a protest against everything modern and elitist. And in the end, the substantial costs it represented no longer outweighed the benefits.

Start with Felicia Cabriolet, 128 rally and BMW 525

Naturally, this year also marked my affection for classic cars, which was strongly fueled by the reports, the events, the encounters in the industry, and the friendships. 2025 brought wonderful moments and special classics to portray, especially in collaboration with photographer Spijker. As part of Skoda's 130th anniversary, I contacted Peter Visser to photograph his 1960 Felicia convertible. Soon after, Eric Blok's childhood sweetheart, one of my childhood icons, followed. The Fiat 128 rally gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of one day driving one of my favorites, right in the area where I partly grew up. Pieter Fokkema of PUUR BMW in Marssum provided us with the 1977 BMW 525, and this classic Bavarian car showed us the car that laid the foundation for the unwavering popularity of every BMW 5 Series.

Follow-up reports

The Lancia Thema 2.0 Turbo from Dijkstra Classic Cars & Youngtimers also contributed handsomely to the classic scene. The old Lancia demonstrated that old-world turbo love and design refinement can be beautifully combined. And rest assured, it can still embarrass anything modern. The original Dutch-registered and spirited MG MGB from 1973 – also owned by Dijkstra – displayed everything that makes the old British roadster tradition so tangible under the radiant sun. Clarence Cnossen's two Toyota Carina II models (series one and two) will be followed. It's already clear that these cars were an excellent alternative to the European competition in their class.

Self-build and Duck Love

For me, the most exotic classic car of 2025 was the Van der Velde Special. It's a custom-built coupe that had been hidden away in a Leeuwarden garage for decades. Sander and Femme from Funky rescued this VW-based car from obscurity. Dennis Smit from Leeuwarden tipped me off, and I'm still grateful for that. This unique creation inspired a fully documented, wonderful story. That's what the Citroën The Rozema family from Grootegast also owned a 2CV6 Charleston. They bought the Deux Chevaux new in 1987. Along with the 1987 2CV6 Club, the Charleston marked a new chapter in my love of 2CVs and the continuation of a long-standing friendship. And a wonderful reportage in abundance. My weakness for this Citroën-evergreen remains as strong as ever. Speaking of childhood sweethearts…

Beautiful autumn stories

The spontaneous story about Henk Mulder's Renault 4F6 from Veendam was a surprise. It began with the acquisition of a DAF painting and culminated in a wonderful day of reporting. That story will follow soon. Before I get to another French car, I'll mention Peter de Roy's Opel Manta 1.6 S. You can read the story soon, in the next issue of AMK. Opel succeeded in bringing color to the coupé segment of yesteryear. The former GM subsidiary constructed an exceptionally fine coupé for the individualist and the small family. An old Manta like this is simply wonderful and balanced to drive.

The red Peugeot thread

And speaking of balance, I can't possibly ignore the most beautiful Peugeot in history. Moreover, this car is celebrating its anniversary. The 404 is 65 years old, and it's also over fifty years since European sedan production ceased. The classic Peugeot world was an important element in the event reporting, which I covered together with Arie-Jan Vreeken. I also participated in several drives within the pleasant setting of the classic world of the brand with the lion. Among other things, I was a participant/editor during the last APH drive, which partly covered my native soil. Peugeot remains a wonderful brand for me, and it provided the final segment of the 2025 report. Naturally, I wanted to include the Peugeot 404 in the Christmas issue of AMK.

Beautiful jubilee in the leading role

The Peugeot 404 had already been featured the day before. Naturally, I wanted to feature this beloved classic in AMK's Christmas issue, and I'd already had the star in mind. The chosen one was Cor Tjepkema's 404. This beautiful classic underwent a meticulous cosmetic and personalized revival. In May 2025, we drove the Gaasterland ride in the Peugeot. And in October, the reportage day followed, which clearly demonstrated why, for me, the 404 is the most balanced Peugeot ever built. Design, driving characteristics, appointments: in every aspect, this classic demonstrates why functionality, comfort, reliability, and a pleasantly understated sense of chic and individualism can go hand in hand. It's no wonder the 404 is still a popular choice in the classic car category. And if you want, you can even use the 404 daily.

Winner and medal of honor

The elegant, chic, and utterly captivating Frenchman (or Frenchwoman, if you prefer) is my classic car of the year 2025. The Peugeot wins and takes the top spot on the podium. But I can't resist awarding the medal of honor to the Opel Omega, the car that, in every way, took me very far and, above all, to something truly beautiful. Tirelessly and brilliantly.

Happy New Year, and a happy 2026 full of peace, reflection, happiness and classic (reading) pleasure.

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