Ernst van Kempen

My name is Ernst van Kempen, international seller at E&R Classics. In the past I did the Marketing and Communication training where I did an internship at a company called Auto Elektro in my last year. After my internship I started working here and I was involved in minor technical work and marketing work.

After this period I worked for 8 years at Autocentrum Waalwijk as a seller for young used cars. There I found out that selling is my passion. That is why, after my job at Autocentrum Waalwijk, I started working as a salesman for 2 years at a Mercedes-Benz specialist in Moergestel. After that I worked for another 4 years for Autoservice van Eersel in Waspik. I have been working at E&R Classics for many years now as a seller for the beautiful classic cars that we have to offer.

My first car was a 1997 black Fiat Tipo, which I bought when I was 19 years old. I loved having my own little car because it gives you the feeling of freedom. I used it as an everyday car, but also drove it to France to go on holiday. Going to friends who lived a little further away was no problem as I could now go where I wanted. I took care of the minor maintenance myself and also put navigation and fog lights in it. I loved working with it.

My dream car is a 1990 BMW 850 in silver gray with a black interior.

Suppose you had to give someone a lift. Who would that be and why?
I would like to give a lift to Adrian van Hooydonk. Van Hooydonk has long been responsible for the design of the BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini. I think it's nice to see that a Dutchman is in charge of these car brands at such a high level. Besides the fact that he determines the current design, I know that he also owns several classic cars. So enough to talk about.

What is your best car related memory?
That will undoubtedly be my very first ride in my own car to the south of France. Driving at night, bad weather, lost in Paris due to a detour, the toll roads, the rolling French countryside when the sun raised... Experience almost everything in one ride. The feeling of freedom to go where you want, what you get with a (classic) car can’t be compared.

What makes a working day at E&R Classics so much fun for you?
Working every day with an enthusiast's product: classic cars. The diversity of the people who come to us is enormous, but they all have one thing in common, they are all classic car enthusiasts. It is great fun to guide everyone to the purchase of a classic car. Due to the wide range of classics that we have here, there is something for everyone. Together with my colleagues, who are also all car enthusiasts, transferring a piece of car emotion, history & nostalgia to our customers is what makes it so nice here.