Traditionally, a few weeks before TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN opens its doors, tension rises among all those involved. Whether manufacturer or dealer, whether restorer or club: in over 30 nations, those responsible are currently working full steam ahead on their appearance in Essen at the end of March. The world’s most important trade fair for vintage, classic & prestige cars, motor sports and motorcycles will be its stage. 2020 will be particularly exciting: a veritable fireworks display of important anniversaries in automotive history is on the horizon.
Alfa Romeo celebrates its 110th anniversary in Hall 3. The Italians are honouring this occasion with an extraordinary gem: they are bringing one of the 40/60 HP automobiles built from 1913 onwards from the works museum in Arese, one of the brand’s first racing cars. At TECHNO- CLASSICA ESSEN, this massive model complements the elegant Montreal Expo Concept Car, which anticipated the Alfa Romeo Montreal that was presented as a production car exactly 50 years ago. Alfa Romeo will also showcase something new: they bring along the sport sedan Giulia Quadrifoglio – a model that will celebrate its world premiere only at the beginning of March.
A car from the same group of companies is also celebrating a milestone birthday, but it appeals to a completely different clientele: the Fiat Panda will be 40 years old in 2020. Called the “great little box”, the small car started its career in 1980 and was able to convince from the beginning with its nonchalant, likeable simplicity. The little Italian celebrates its success, which has now lasted for four decades, at TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN, also in Hall 3, with three extraordinary models: Fiat shows an early electric version with the Panda Elettra. It is complemented by a Panda Aria, an exciting study from 2007 – its clean two-cylinder engine can run on both petrol and a natural gas/hydrogen mixture and delivers amazing 105 hp. Fiat completes the sustainable trio with a brand new model whose drive system relies on electric assistance: the Panda Hybrid.
Audi is also celebrating its 40th anniversary, with the quattro presented in 1980 dominating the appearance of the four rings at TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN in Hall 4 in 2020. The legendary four- wheel drive sportsman not only thoroughly stirred up the sports car scene at the time and ensured breathtaking sporting success for the previously rather moderate brand. Audi has announced several rare quattro versions (one of them even with all-wheel steering), plus two quattro rallies in full sports regalia and – a particularly exciting exhibit – a sports quattro powertrain with a matching body hovering above it. Their story is particularly exciting: the virgin tin dress was discovered by chance in a garage in Ingolstadt only last year.
Round anniversaries also report two brands that are supported by dedicated clubs. The Francophile team of the Amicale Citroën will be celebrating the memory of two models that caused a sensation on our roads exactly half a century ago: the successful and luxurious middle class car Citroën GS and the avant-garde Citroën SM rolled off the assembly lines for the first time in 1970. At Opel, on the other hand – today both brands belong to one group – the Opel Manta sports coupé met with enthusiasm 50 years ago. 30 years ago the Opel Calibra seduced its fans for the first time. The always very active Alt-Opel IG celebrates these anniversaries at the TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN in hall 2 with selected vehicles and friendly clubs.
In 2020, the Czech brand Skoda can even claim a three-digit number: 125 years ago the first vehicle in the history of the company was created. It was not yet an automobile, but a bicycle – and it also competed under Laurin & Klement, the name of the two founders. After the merger with Skoda in 1925, the manufacturer took off in the direction of success. At TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN, Skoda will be showing an early Superb and an Octavia Combi in Hall 4, which was launched in 1960 and thus celebrates its 60th birthday this year. In addition, Skoda is bringing three groundbreaking engines from the past 125 years and has already announced further surprises for the Essen event.
Outstanding anniversaries are also to be found at BMW. The Bavarians can look back on 100 years of the Boxer engine, a development from the early days of the brand, which quickly became an icon and today continues to set the standard for motorcycles with the BMW logo. The second birthday will be celebrated not with a model but with a concept at the BMW Group Classic stand in Hall 6: The manufacturer looks back on 90 years of roadster. The first one BMW presented in its history was the 3/15 PS DA 3 “Type Wartburg” in 1930. With such a car, Robert “Bobby” Kohlrausch, a young driver, drove to a premiere victory at the Kesselberg race that same year for the Munich- based company and its Eisenach-based automobile production.
In 2020, the Autostadt can look back on 20 years of existence. The popular automobile experience world in Wolfsburg opened its doors to visitors for the first time in 2000 and since then has been a real magnet, not only for car fans. To coincide with the celebration, the Autostadt in conjunction with the luxury hotel The Ritz-Carlton located on the grounds offers an exclusive package called Zeitsprung: It combines a visit to the Autostadt with a ride in a Horch 930 V or a Bentley T2 and a night in the 5-star superior hotel.
Porsche is even announcing a world premiere at TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN. The Zuffenhausen- based company will be exhibiting two clever, innovative navigation systems in Hall 4. They hide themselves in radios with a historical appearance. This means that classic 911 models in particular can be equipped with optically matching devices that offer all the comfort and expected functions of 2020 thanks to state-of-the-art technology. In Essen, Porsche is also emphasising its high level of expertise in historic motorsport, which it has lived up to for decades. The Porsche Museum will be sending a surprise model, and this year the manufacturer is also focusing on its experience in the reproduction of specific parts, especially for racing cars.
Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, is placing its upcoming appearance at TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN themed “Dream Cars”. The brand with the star had already had dream cars in its range in the early days of the automobile. This year, the Stuttgart company will be presenting a number of outstanding models that embody this concept with their design, performance and glamour. The first of these is a spectacular Mercedes 70 hp Spider from 1907, complemented by a Mercedes- Benz 540 K, a 320 with streamlined bodywork and the influential CLS study, which set a trend that continues to this day.
At the TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN Ford revives “The colourful 1970s”. With 18 brightly coloured vehicles from all eras, the Cologne-based company, together with many clubs in Hall 3, will be presenting an exciting and broad cross-section of the model range from past decades. The panopticon ranges from the legendary bathtub to the FK 1000, the Fiesta to the sovereign six- cylinder Ford 17M P7b from the collection of cabaret artist Urban Priol, which Lebenshilfe Gießen is raffling off in aid of its classic car donation campaign. The lively team around Reinhard Schade and Tina Gorschlüter will also be showing the main prize of the new round of donations for a good cause in the gallery: First prize is a Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupé, a representative of the magnificent W 111 series built in 1970, and second prize, a Triumph Spitfire 1500 from 1980, will be brought to Essen by Lebenshilfe Gießen – as well as a Volkswagen T2a Westfalia. With a donation of five euros or more, visitors can take part in the raffle and win one of the classics.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be presenting a varied collection of van models in Hall 4. This is not only about visual enjoyment, but also a lot of epicurean pleasures come into play. Whether it’s coffee or beer, ice cream or curry sausage – or the enormously popular waffle sticks: There will be many reasons for visitors to be particularly fond of this area of the show. However, “Renate” is unusual: this is the name of a VW van in the rare Samba version, which was owned by a family for decades. In the meantime, the owners have decided to give up their family treasure after all – the contract was awarded to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. After a careful and detailed restoration of the factory, “Renate” will show herself ready for the first time to visitors at TECHNO- CLASSICA ESSEN. It is exactly these stories from real life that make the most beautiful hobby in the world so worth telling.
RM Sotheby’s in Hall 1A will attract a great deal of attention. Next to Coys, it will be the second renowned auction house to offer exquisite collector’s items in Essen. For its event on 27 March 2020, RM Sotheby’s now allows a first glimpse into its catalogue. The range is impressive and perfectly reflects the lived openness of TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN, where the most diverse preferences find expression in a common passion: The RM Sotheby’s range of products extends from a 1964 Glas S 1004 from the ancient Italian town of Ascoli Piceno, to an inspiring 1993 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II (both without limit), to a spectacular 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K convertible.
For the many visitors who will be travelling to TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN, the 32nd edition of the leading show will be a special experience. For the first time, the world’s No. 1 meeting place for the sector will be able to enjoy the comprehensively renovated fairgrounds of Messe Essen. The elaborately modernised structure offers completely new impressions: The former 18 rooms, some of which were small-scale, are now replaced by nine modern, spacious, single-storey exhibition halls. Thanks to generous glass elements, they open up towards the neighbouring Grugapark. There is also the famous Gruga Hall.
Techno-Classica Essen traditionally attaches particular importance to young talent. Parents with children and teenagers benefit from reduced admission prices, and the youngest fans (up to eight years of age) even get free admission when accompanied by their parents. For families there is also a discounted ticket, which is valid for up to three children. By the way, all twins will benefit from a special offer in 2020: In the Year of the Twins, one ticket is enough for two. And another tip for all those who like to save money: The online advance booking at www.technoclassica-tickets.de offers particularly attractive prices. Further information: www.siha.de
Maximum automotive diversity: The segments of TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN
● Special Exhibition
● Automobile Industry
● Motorcycle Industry
● Auto Mechanics
● Trade Centre
● Prestige Automobiles
● Auctions
● Classic Motor Sport
● Restoration
● Spare Parts, Tools and Maintenance Products ● Clubs and Interest Groups
● Young Classic and Tuning
● Historic Commercial Vehicles
● Boats and Aeroplanes
● Model Cars
● Literature
● Associations and Museums
● Services
● Watches
● Accessories, Clothing and Lifestyle
● Art
● Automobilia
● Events
● Bargain Markets in the Outside Area
● Innovations
● Super Sports Cars
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Report by siha.de
