Enthusiast-led displays shine at Germany ’s flagship classic event – but manufacturers hold back
More than 2700 classics from more than 30 countries have wowed enthusiasts at this year’s Techno Classica show in Essen – but it was clubs and dealers, rather than carmakers, putting together the flagship displays.
The heritage collection-led displays from the likes of Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Autoworld at previous Essen outings were conspicuous by their absence at the five-day event. Instead, some of Europe’s biggest manufacturers lent their support to copious model-by-model stands bringing together each marque’s key classics. The club-led displays included a 25-strong exhibit put together by Audi Club International Deutschland, and BMW Classic Clubs International’s stand assembled 23 Munich classics from its member clubs, while it fell to a dealer – Wuppertal-based specialist Early 911s – to team up with private owners, auctioneers and museums to organise a stunning 37-car gathering of Porsche’s turbocharged hits. Show organiser SIHA Promotions also lent its support to a celebration of the Volkswagen Golf ’s half-century and its flagship display commemorated 120 years of Rolls-Royce.
A show spokesperson said: ‘Classic enthusiasts from all over the world have been meeting up at Techno Classica. Lots of gems were offered for sale, making this not just a global classic show but the biggest automobile marketplace of its kind. There’s no question about it, Techno Classica has a reputation for being a meeting place for all fans excited by classic cars, their engineering and design.’
