31.07.2025
The secret star
It all began in 1987 at the current location in Zollikon, when Peter Kümin and René Ritschard took over an existing Fiat dealership. This is how the name P + R came to be. They went on to sell and maintain many Fiats and – much to the displeasure of the importer – repaired vehicles with factory defects under warranty. This attracted negative attention and lost them the Fiat dealership.
In the mid-1990s, two years after the end of their contract with Fiat, the two took over a Nissan dealership and were given a great deal of freedom. They did not have to open a showroom at the expensive Zollikon location and only had to keep a few presentation vehicles on hand. This worked very well for several years. At the same time, Peter Kümin had already been servicing old Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin vehicles and had made a name for himself doing so. René's focus was more on old Ferraris. Nissan slowly raised its requirements, and tensions began to rise between Peter and René. In 1999, the relationship broke down. Peter Kümin already had his eye on a small garage in Zurich's Seefeld district, because he thought René and his wife would take over P + R. But René wanted to sell his share. So Peter Kümin took over Auto P + R Zollikon AG in January 2000 with the sole objective of maintaining, repairing and restoring Mercedes-Benz classic cars.
When it comes to lubricants, he can look back on many years of successful collaboration with Midland. Many others have tried to persuade him to switch to other brands, but without success. «“I'm happy where I am, so I'm staying put”, he points out clearly. For him, it's a no-brainer. And that doesn't just apply to lubricants. P + R has built up a network of specialised suppliers – or rather partners – for gearboxes, original parts, catalytic converters and cardan shafts. They know each other well. The same goes for the customers. Owners of Mercedes-Benz oldtimers get together at meetings and in clubs. P + R is then recommended by satisfied clients in these circles.
If the Kümins can't find a spare part in their own extensive stock, they are happy to drive long distances across half of Germany to find an original part. Yes, that's right: The Kümins with an s – because Peter's son Kevin has now joined the company. But this path was by no means predetermined. Kevin first qualified as a chef, completed his military recruit school, worked as a chef again and only started working in the business in 2014 when he no longer felt like cooking. In 2017, he began an apprenticeship as an automotive specialist, “so that I have a qualification and don't repair old Mercedes cars as a chef”, as he says.
The apprenticeship, with all the much younger fellow students and too much content for new cars, was not always easy for him. “But I also benefited a lot", he says, nodding. He achieved his goal with the final exam in 2020.
He has long been set to take over the business, but for now, father and son are working together. And Peter, who had several mechanics on staff, is thrilled with his son Kevin: “He has the technical understanding, and that's what matters”, says Peter. And now he also has the experience and knows the key features of Mercedes-Benz designs. “He completely overhauled the third 300 SL engine himself”, emphasises his proud father, who actually reduced his workload to 80% after reaching regular retirement age, but in reality just leaves a little earlier more often. “As long as he doesn't say I'm getting in his way, I'll keep working”, says Peter Kümin with a smile.
