According to our iPhones, you’ll rack up more than 13,000 steps walking Europe’s biggest indoor classic car event, Techno Classica Essen, held every March in Germany’s northwestern city of Essen. That’s with no backtracking, no returning to that one particular vintage headlight vendor in Hall 8.2, no going back to make a deal on a $2 million vintage Ferrari. No, you’re in for more than six miles of walking if you simply beeline it, through all 20 display halls, past some 1250 vendors, around the more than 2700 cars for sale—most of them carrying what looks like pretty hefty show markups—and dodging a crowd that flooded the place during the show’s five-day run and which organizers pegged at 188,000.
March in northern Germany is not exactly driving season, but as the rain and fog created typical Teutonic winter gloom outside, inside at this, the 30th anniversary of Techno Classica Essen, it was all about living the dream. Well-waxed “old timers,” as the Germans call classic cars, were parked cheek by jowl into every corner of Essen’s enormous expo center and spilled out into the damp courtyards, almost all wearing price tags denoted in euros or, on the nicer cars, with “Auf Anfrage” written on them, which means “upon request.” Or, in other words, “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”
Aaron Robinson
Aaron Robinson
The turbocharged and supercharged Lancia Delta S4 represents the height of mid-1980s Group B rally craziness before such high horsepower mid-engine specials were banned. Per the rules, Lancia built 200 road-going “Stradales” or street versions such as this one, with power steering, air-conditioning, and some much-needed sound insulation. Aaron Robinson
Aaron Robinson
Techno Classica Essen naturally puts a heavy emphasis on European and especially German cars, but there are also a few Thunderbirds and Corvettes and Cadillacs mixed in. If any one brand seemed particularly ascendant this year, it was Aston Martin. Prime examples of the British breed were everywhere, from the earliest DBs to the bizarre Zagato specials of the 1990s, all thought to be appreciating faster than calculators can be keyed.
More than 220 clubs take space at the show, from the Allard Owners Club to the Heinkel-Club Deutschland to the Tatra Registry to the Wartburg Club to the Kollektive Rheinland, a club for fanatics of the plastic East-German soot-mobiles from Trabant. Essen’s army of show vendors ranged from the many small-fry sellers of car parts, restoration tools, models, books, luggage, and other motoring lifestyle gear, to gleaming corporate auto show stands (mainly from German and German-owned brands) stocked with pristine examples of the corporate heritage collection and flogging factory parts and restoration programs.
A ticket at the door costs about $31, not much for seven hours of entertainment and exercise. Especially if you consider that Pebble Beach charges $375 at the door and it’s less than one-sixth the size.
Factory parts and restoration programs were lavishly promoted on corporate stands, such as this one from Mercedes-Benz, whose display rivaled that of any new-car auto show for size and number of vehicles. Aaron Robinson
The impressive display of Eberlein Ferrari, a big-time new and classic Ferrari dealer in central Germany, featured a couple of techs who seemed to be disassembling and assembling the same already restored carburetors over and over in a demonstration of the company’s skills. Aaron Robinson
The American-made Howmet TX turbine-powered sports prototype is the only turbine car ever to win a race, taking wins in a couple of SCCA National Championship races in 1968. Only two TXs were ever made, and they also competed at Daytona and at the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans, though both retired early. Aaron Robinson
The Mustang was by far the most common American car to be seen at Techno Classica Essen, though a few vintage Cadillacs, a Ford Fairlane racer, and a number of classic Chevys also represented Old Glory on foreign shores. Aaron Robinson
The 1966-1973 Skoda Trekka is not what you think it is. In other words, it’s not a sad-sack Land Rover copy from a former East Bloc country incapable of building a decent washing machine. It is actually the only vehicle ever designed and built in New Zealand for any extended period, filling the country’s need for agricultural vehicles while sidestepping its high import tariffs at the time. A 47-hp 1.2-liter Skoda four-cylinder does the work. Aaron Robinson
Many of the 2500 vendors at Techno Classica Essen are specialists, and it’s not uncommon to see one whole booth of just headlights, next to another booth of just taillights, next to one of just Weber carburetors. This booth specialized in old friction-type and knee-action shock absorbers. Aaron Robinson
A 1955 Oldsmobile parked up in an old Mexican gas station was part of a booth intended to lure Europeans into competing in the annual La Carrera Panamericana vintage road rally in Mexico. Aaron Robinson
Techno Classica Essen isn’t just cars and parts for sale, it’s also filled with booths for service providers such as Racing Green Engineering in Carmarthenshire, Wales, which offers full restorations on top-level classics such as this pre-war Bentley. Aaron Robinson
Klima-Lounge, a German company that makes elaborate air-conditioning systems for garages and has a Lamborghini museum, featured this hot-rod Lamborghini Centenario tractor, unveiled last year to commemorate the centennial of the birth of Ferruccio Lamborghini. It is said that five copies will be built at a price of around $270,000 and no, it doesn’t have a V-12 but rather a more plebeian (but real) Lamborghini tractor engine. Aaron Robinson
Only the 53rd Lamborghini Espada made out of 1217 total, this Espada featured what is likely to be a replica of an early Bertone show-car steering wheel that never made it to production. The car carried a price tag of 280,000 euro (about $343,000), roughly twice the price of a good-condition early Espada these days and indicative of the healthy markup borne by Techno Classica Essen’s approximately 2700 for-sale vehicles. Aaron Robinson
In the weird-and-German department, a 1960 Goggomobile Dart based on a Geraman Goggomobile microcar chassis but actually built in Australia, and a World War II VW Type 166 Schwimmwagen (literally: Swimming Car) shared a booth. With its 392-cc two-cylinder two-stroke engine on the back axle, the 800-pound Dart was built for three years with around 700 made, while the “Schwimmer” was basically an amphibious form of the VW Kubelwagen. Both are highly collectible today. Aaron Robinson
The turbocharged and supercharged Lancia Delta S4 represents the height of mid-1980s Group B rally craziness before such high horsepower mid-engine specials were banned. Per the rules, Lancia built 200 road-going “Stradales” or street versions such as this one, with power steering, air-conditioning, and some much-needed sound insulation. Aaron Robinson
Aaron Robinson
Factory parts and restoration programs were lavishly promoted on corporate stands, such as this one from Mercedes-Benz, whose display rivaled that of any new-car auto show for size and number of vehicles. Aaron Robinson
The impressive display of Eberlein Ferrari, a big-time new and classic Ferrari dealer in central Germany, featured a couple of techs who seemed to be disassembling and assembling the same already restored carburetors over and over in a demonstration of the company’s skills. Aaron Robinson
The American-made Howmet TX turbine-powered sports prototype is the only turbine car ever to win a race, taking wins in a couple of SCCA National Championship races in 1968. Only two TXs were ever made, and they also competed at Daytona and at the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans, though both retired early. Aaron Robinson
The Mustang was by far the most common American car to be seen at Techno Classica Essen, though a few vintage Cadillacs, a Ford Fairlane racer, and a number of classic Chevys also represented Old Glory on foreign shores. Aaron Robinson
The 1966-1973 Skoda Trekka is not what you think it is. In other words, it’s not a sad-sack Land Rover copy from a former East Bloc country incapable of building a decent washing machine. It is actually the only vehicle ever designed and built in New Zealand for any extended period, filling the country’s need for agricultural vehicles while sidestepping its high import tariffs at the time. A 47-hp 1.2-liter Skoda four-cylinder does the work. Aaron Robinson
Many of the 2500 vendors at Techno Classica Essen are specialists, and it’s not uncommon to see one whole booth of just headlights, next to another booth of just taillights, next to one of just Weber carburetors. This booth specialized in old friction-type and knee-action shock absorbers. Aaron Robinson
A 1955 Oldsmobile parked up in an old Mexican gas station was part of a booth intended to lure Europeans into competing in the annual La Carrera Panamericana vintage road rally in Mexico. Aaron Robinson
Techno Classica Essen isn’t just cars and parts for sale, it’s also filled with booths for service providers such as Racing Green Engineering in Carmarthenshire, Wales, which offers full restorations on top-level classics such as this pre-war Bentley. Aaron Robinson
Klima-Lounge, a German company that makes elaborate air-conditioning systems for garages and has a Lamborghini museum, featured this hot-rod Lamborghini Centenario tractor, unveiled last year to commemorate the centennial of the birth of Ferruccio Lamborghini. It is said that five copies will be built at a price of around $270,000 and no, it doesn’t have a V-12 but rather a more plebeian (but real) Lamborghini tractor engine. Aaron Robinson
Only the 53rd Lamborghini Espada made out of 1217 total, this Espada featured what is likely to be a replica of an early Bertone show-car steering wheel that never made it to production. The car carried a price tag of 280,000 euro (about $343,000), roughly twice the price of a good-condition early Espada these days and indicative of the healthy markup borne by Techno Classica Essen’s approximately 2700 for-sale vehicles. Aaron Robinson
In the weird-and-German department, a 1960 Goggomobile Dart based on a Geraman Goggomobile microcar chassis but actually built in Australia, and a World War II VW Type 166 Schwimmwagen (literally: Swimming Car) shared a booth. With its 392-cc two-cylinder two-stroke engine on the back axle, the 800-pound Dart was built for three years with around 700 made, while the “Schwimmer” was basically an amphibious form of the VW Kubelwagen. Both are highly collectible today. Aaron Robinson
Aaron Robinson
Aaron Robinson
The turbocharged and supercharged Lancia Delta S4 represents the height of mid-1980s Group B rally craziness before such high horsepower mid-engine specials were banned. Per the rules, Lancia built 200 road-going “Stradales” or street versions such as this one, with power steering, air-conditioning, and some much-needed sound insulation. Aaron Robinson
Aaron Robinson
Factory parts and restoration programs were lavishly promoted on corporate stands, such as this one from Mercedes-Benz, whose display rivaled that of any new-car auto show for size and number of vehicles. Aaron Robinson
The impressive display of Eberlein Ferrari, a big-time new and classic Ferrari dealer in central Germany, featured a couple of techs who seemed to be disassembling and assembling the same already restored carburetors over and over in a demonstration of the company’s skills. Aaron Robinson
The American-made Howmet TX turbine-powered sports prototype is the only turbine car ever to win a race, taking wins in a couple of SCCA National Championship races in 1968. Only two TXs were ever made, and they also competed at Daytona and at the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans, though both retired early. Aaron Robinson
The Mustang was by far the most common American car to be seen at Techno Classica Essen, though a few vintage Cadillacs, a Ford Fairlane racer, and a number of classic Chevys also represented Old Glory on foreign shores. Aaron Robinson
The 1966-1973 Skoda Trekka is not what you think it is. In other words, it’s not a sad-sack Land Rover copy from a former East Bloc country incapable of building a decent washing machine. It is actually the only vehicle ever designed and built in New Zealand for any extended period, filling the country’s need for agricultural vehicles while sidestepping its high import tariffs at the time. A 47-hp 1.2-liter Skoda four-cylinder does the work. Aaron Robinson
Many of the 2500 vendors at Techno Classica Essen are specialists, and it’s not uncommon to see one whole booth of just headlights, next to another booth of just taillights, next to one of just Weber carburetors. This booth specialized in old friction-type and knee-action shock absorbers. Aaron Robinson
A 1955 Oldsmobile parked up in an old Mexican gas station was part of a booth intended to lure Europeans into competing in the annual La Carrera Panamericana vintage road rally in Mexico. Aaron Robinson
Techno Classica Essen isn’t just cars and parts for sale, it’s also filled with booths for service providers such as Racing Green Engineering in Carmarthenshire, Wales, which offers full restorations on top-level classics such as this pre-war Bentley. Aaron Robinson
Klima-Lounge, a German company that makes elaborate air-conditioning systems for garages and has a Lamborghini museum, featured this hot-rod Lamborghini Centenario tractor, unveiled last year to commemorate the centennial of the birth of Ferruccio Lamborghini. It is said that five copies will be built at a price of around $270,000 and no, it doesn’t have a V-12 but rather a more plebeian (but real) Lamborghini tractor engine. Aaron Robinson
Only the 53rd Lamborghini Espada made out of 1217 total, this Espada featured what is likely to be a replica of an early Bertone show-car steering wheel that never made it to production. The car carried a price tag of 280,000 euro (about $343,000), roughly twice the price of a good-condition early Espada these days and indicative of the healthy markup borne by Techno Classica Essen’s approximately 2700 for-sale vehicles. Aaron Robinson
In the weird-and-German department, a 1960 Goggomobile Dart based on a Geraman Goggomobile microcar chassis but actually built in Australia, and a World War II VW Type 166 Schwimmwagen (literally: Swimming Car) shared a booth. With its 392-cc two-cylinder two-stroke engine on the back axle, the 800-pound Dart was built for three years with around 700 made, while the “Schwimmer” was basically an amphibious form of the VW Kubelwagen. Both are highly collectible today. Aaron Robinson
20180403164512)
20180403164448)
20180403164551)
20180403163831 "The turbocharged and supercharged Lancia Delta S4 represents the height of mid-1980s Group B rally craziness before such high horsepower mid-engine specials were banned. Per the rules, Lancia built 200 road-going “Stradales” or street versions such as this one, with power steering, air-conditioning, and some much-needed sound insulation.")
20180403164534)
20180403163602 "Factory parts and restoration programs were lavishly promoted on corporate stands, such as this one from Mercedes-Benz, whose display rivaled that of any new-car auto show for size and number of vehicles.")
20180403163732 "The impressive display of Eberlein Ferrari, a big-time new and classic Ferrari dealer in central Germany, featured a couple of techs who seemed to be disassembling and assembling the same already restored carburetors over and over in a demonstration of the company’s skills.")
20180403163749 "The American-made Howmet TX turbine-powered sports prototype is the only turbine car ever to win a race, taking wins in a couple of SCCA National Championship races in 1968. Only two TXs were ever made, and they also competed at Daytona and at the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans, though both retired early.")
20180403164040 "The Mustang was by far the most common American car to be seen at Techno Classica Essen, though a few vintage Cadillacs, a Ford Fairlane racer, and a number of classic Chevys also represented Old Glory on foreign shores.")
20180403164112 "The 1966-1973 Skoda Trekka is not what you think it is. In other words, it’s not a sad-sack Land Rover copy from a former East Bloc country incapable of building a decent washing machine. It is actually the only vehicle ever designed and built in New Zealand for any extended period, filling the country’s need for agricultural vehicles while sidestepping its high import tariffs at the time. A 47-hp 1.2-liter Skoda four-cylinder does the work.")
20180403164216 "Many of the 2500 vendors at Techno Classica Essen are specialists, and it’s not uncommon to see one whole booth of just headlights, next to another booth of just taillights, next to one of just Weber carburetors. This booth specialized in old friction-type and knee-action shock absorbers.")
20180403164239 "A 1955 Oldsmobile parked up in an old Mexican gas station was part of a booth intended to lure Europeans into competing in the annual La Carrera Panamericana vintage road rally in Mexico.")
20180403164259 "Techno Classica Essen isn’t just cars and parts for sale, it’s also filled with booths for service providers such as Racing Green Engineering in Carmarthenshire, Wales, which offers full restorations on top-level classics such as this pre-war Bentley.")
20180403164332 "Klima-Lounge, a German company that makes elaborate air-conditioning systems for garages and has a Lamborghini museum, featured this hot-rod Lamborghini Centenario tractor, unveiled last year to commemorate the centennial of the birth of Ferruccio Lamborghini. It is said that five copies will be built at a price of around $270,000 and no, it doesn’t have a V-12 but rather a more plebeian (but real) Lamborghini tractor engine.")
20180403164357 "Only the 53rd Lamborghini Espada made out of 1217 total, this Espada featured what is likely to be a replica of an early Bertone show-car steering wheel that never made it to production. The car carried a price tag of 280,000 euro (about $343,000), roughly twice the price of a good-condition early Espada these days and indicative of the healthy markup borne by Techno Classica Essen’s approximately 2700 for-sale vehicles.")
20180403164418 "In the weird-and-German department, a 1960 Goggomobile Dart based on a Geraman Goggomobile microcar chassis but actually built in Australia, and a World War II VW Type 166 Schwimmwagen (literally: Swimming Car) shared a booth. With its 392-cc two-cylinder two-stroke engine on the back axle, the 800-pound Dart was built for three years with around 700 made, while the “Schwimmer” was basically an amphibious form of the VW Kubelwagen. Both are highly collectible today.")
