In the heart of the picturesque Swiss Alps, in Chur, there is a true jewel for lovers of classic and exclusive automobiles: cartech.ch autotechnik ag. Anyone who passes through the workshop gates here knows immediately – it is no ordinary business. For over 20 years, the company has been dedicated to the repair, restoration and care of special vehicles and classic cars. In a highly specialized, modern environment, decades of expertise and technological innovation merge here. We take a look at the people and processes behind this workshop that transforms cars into true masterpieces, and sit down with co-founder Wolfgang Ulz to discuss exactly what makes their business so unique...
Thanks for your time Wolfgang, when was cartech.ch autotechnik ag first founded, and how has it grown over the years?
Thank you as well, it’s always a pleasure to talk about where it all began. Back in 1998, my partner at the time, Dario Rusconi, and I founded cartech.ch. We were both mechanics with a shared passion for cars – whether it was the precision of high-performance machines or the charm of true classics. From those early days, our goal was clear: to deliver the highest quality while always respecting the individuality of each vehicle. Sadly, only a few years after we started, Dario passed away, and since then I’ve been leading the company. What began as a small workshop has grown into a trusted name for restoration and automotive engineering, while the passion at the core has never changed. Today, our team is a tight-knit group of six – three talented mechanics, two dedicated colleagues handling administration and marketing, and myself.
We love your ever-changing array of cars in stock, from all-out American muscle to timeless classics and ultra-exclusive exotics. Tell us more about the types of cars you stock at cartech.ch autotechnik ag.
We indeed focus on keeping our selection exclusive. For us, the brand is never the most important factor, it’s the car itself. You’ll find everything from high-performance Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and McLarens to KTM supercars, alongside timeless classics like Ford Hot Rod, Mercedes-Benz Ponton, and even the iconic Volkswagen Beetle. The variety reflects our respect for all brands and our belief that every car has its own value and character. We’re less about logos and more about curating vehicles that inspire, excite and represent automotive excellence in their own way.
Unlike many other dealerships, cartech.ch proudly customises even some of the rarest cars to give it that personal touch – is the market for customisation stronger than ever before?
Absolutely. We’ve always had exciting requests for custom work, but in the recent years the demand has grown noticeably. Some customers even approach us before their car has left the factory, months ahead of delivery, to discuss how we can take it further and make it truly one of a kind. People are looking for something that goes beyond “just owning” a rare car. They want to make it their own, to give it that personal identity. And we love nothing more than helping them bring those ideas to life and turning their vision into reality. We’re convinced that the market for customisation will continue to grow, because, in my opinion, individuality has never been more important than it is today.
Give us some examples of the kind of cars you have customised over the years…
Over the years, we’ve tackled all sorts of projects, each as unique as the car itself. One standout was a VW T1 bus that we completely extended and made it really long. That was a real labour of love. We also reworked a Fiat Abarth 500 in a Singer-inspired style, turning it into a one-off masterpiece. Furthermore, we’ve worked on classics like Porsche 964 and gave them subtle performance upgrades, while a Chevrolet Bel Air was fully restored to shine inside and out. I, for example, have always had a soft spot for AirCooled models and it goes back to my first VW Beetle, which I modified as a young mechanic. Bigger engines, special suspensions, unique tweaks. By the time it was finished, almost every original piece was replaced, and every element reflected my own vision. I just loved turning this car into something entirely personal. I even took that Beetle to the track, from quarter mile drag races to full circuits, and earned more than a few awards in the process. That same spirit drives many of the cars we work on today. Some of my favourite creations include a VW Type 3 Variant, a sleek VW Karmann Ghia and a 1971 VW T2 bus that we rebuilt from the ground up. It got a 2.0-litre type 1 engine with Weber carbs, a vintage stainless-steel exhaust, a custom interior, adjustable suspension with a modified front axle, and even a teak-wood load bed with advanced oil cooling. And here’s the fun part: we offer this T2 together with a fully customised 2017 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim. Following the Volkswagen theme, we've extended a Volkswagen T1 which we built it for a well-known collector in order for him to transport his Porsche Bergspyder to the Mille Miglia in style, how cool is that?
In your expert opinion, what cars do you believe as being the next to become classics of the future and worthy investments?
When it comes to future classics, limited-edition models tend to hold their value and attract the most attention. It’s almost always the rare cars that become sought-after. If we think in terms of eras, cars from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s are really starting to stand out. If we think in terms of very specific examples, I’d say the Porsche 964, Lancia Delta Integrale, Ford Escort Cosworth RS, Opel Kadett GTE, and the BMW E30, particularly the M3. These cars combine performance, character, and rarity. They’ve got it all that collectors are looking for today, and what will make them highly desirable in the years to come. We even think that many of these cars will be carefully restored or even given a tasteful restomod treatment in the future.
From classic Fiat 500s to Ford Hot Rods, your team must be constantly surprised with the variety of cars arriving into stock, what has been some standout machines over the years?
Yes, our team is often amazed and inspired by the variety of cars that come through our doors. Every day brings something new to see and experience. On the high-performance side, we’ve had incredible machines like the McLaren Senna, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ and Huracan, Porsche 918 Spyder, Bugatti Chiron, Ferrari 599 GTO, Ferrari F12 TDF, Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, not to mention more exotic rides like the KTM X-Bow. But the contrast is what makes it really exciting, right? We’ve also welcomed AC Cobras, Mercedes-Benz SL 190s, BMW 635 CSIs, or even Mercedes E 500s. It’s this mix of hyper modern supercars and timeless classics that keeps us on our toes and constantly inspired.
What does the future look like for cartech.ch autotechnik ag?
The future looks very promising for us, and we’re confident about what’s ahead. We’ll continue both selling exceptional cars and running our workshop, supported by a loyal and engaged clientele. Our team is strong, and we believe there will be many exciting developments. Alongside that, our in-house Novitec partnership means we’ll be upgrading and personalising plenty of new sports cars in the coming years. That said, we’re happy to let a few surprises come our way and genuinely looking forward to what’s next.
Photos by Lienhard Bildwerke
