Jérémy Rollet
“Time and space are a luxury we provide”
His concierge service, Drive Vintage, manages an impressive fleet of exceptional automobiles, most of which are located around Duillier, Switzerland. The goal? To ensure his clients only have to focus on the pure joy of driving.
When was Drive Vintage created?
On January 1, 2016. Initially, I was a mountain guide in Chamonix. In 2010, at the age of 23, I completely changed careers, becoming a chauffeur and later a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ for wealthy clients in Switzerland. One day, one of them advised me to specialise. That’s when I decided to focus on automobiles.
IT IS A passion?
Not even. I just found it cool to buy, sell, and take care of extraordinary cars. I don’t define myself as a car enthusiast, but I do enjoy delving into the archives of a particular model. Before every acquisition, I spend a lot of time gathering information and photos to build a file. If there’s the slightest doubt, I address it. Our clients appreciate this objectivity because it allows me to offer a realistic perspective, especially when buying a car. My realism contrasts with fanaticism.
I say yes to requests and then figure out how to make them happen
What advice would you give to a buyer?
First, the car should appeal to them aesthetically, which is entirely subjective. Second, it should be enjoyable to drive, as the main purpose is to use it. Third, it should be relatively rare—let’s say fewer than 1,000 units produced. Fourth, it should already have been considered exceptional in its time, as a good car remains a good car. And fifth, the chassis history should be clear and complete. However, I advise against buying solely for speculation. Unfortunately, many people invest, hoping to sell at a higher price within two years. Storing cars without driving them is not our philosophy.
What exactly does your job involve?
Initially, we only managed vehicles. We took care of acquisitions, paperwork, insurance, maintenance, and so on. From the start, we had about a hundred cars, some very far from here—in Egypt, for example—because we can manage everything remotely. Then we built our own facilities to become a concierge service. Today, we are a team of five managing over 400 cars, two-thirds of which are under our care. Time and space are luxuries we provide to our clients.
What do your parking facilities look like?
They resemble underground bunkers we built in discreet, unusual locations. All spaces are large, electrified, and have strict controls over temperature and humidity. It’s like a wine cellar.
Do you also handle mechanical work?
We change batteries and wheels. For everything else, we assume that each car is unique and should be handled by specially qualified professionals. We have partnerships with dozens of service providers worldwide. Similarly, when participating in events like a historic race, we handle transportation and logistics and hire mechanics with expertise specific to the vehicle.
What satisfaction does your profession bring you?
I enjoy making people happy, sometimes by achieving the impossible. For example, once, I surprised a client by delivering their car directly to the foot of their plane as soon as they landed on the tarmac. Let me tell you, getting that kind of clearance at a public airport isn’t easy. Recently, we placed a Ford GT40 in a cow field just to take some unique photos. I see myself as a concierge in a grand hotel. I say yes to requests and then figure out how to make them happen.
Do you have a personal collection?
Not me personally, but the company does. We own all the Lancia racing cars in Martini Racing livery—fifteen cars in total, from endurance and rally racing. We’re only missing one: the 037 Evo 2 from 1984. This collection is important because it lends us credibility. We’re not just automotive professionals; we’re also clients.
Do you exhibit them?
We participate in events like Chantilly Arts & Elegance or the Tour de Corse Historique. We’d like to create a semi-public space where people can see our cars and chat about them. Maybe in 2026, for our tenth anniversary!
