Passion, emotion and enthusiasm – integrity as the basis for trust. Where emotion meets aesthetics and shared enthusiasm sets the pace, an experience begins that brings people together: RETRO CLASSICS ESSEN® will open its doors for the first time from 8 to 12 April 2026. A year before the fair even begins, over 100 exhibitors have already registered, leaving no doubt that Essen remains the trade fair capital for classic vehicles alongside Stuttgart.
Anyone involved with classic vehicles must be prepared for emotion and passion. Both of these reach their peak at motor shows celebrating driving culture and are tangibly expressed in enthusiasm. All the senses are engaged, and like-minded people share the experience. But despite all the exuberance, seriousness is also needed as a basis for trust and mutual reliability. After all, it is usually a matter of sound expertise and investment. This is exactly what Henning and Thilo Könicke have in mind when they bring RETRO CLASSICS® to Essen for the first time from 8 to 12 April 2026.
When AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH took over RETRO MESSEN GmbH in Stuttgart in 2023, the scene watched with scepticism. ‘The new guys’ lack the smell of petrol, grease and old leather, people said. But they bring professional event management, trade fair experience, exhibition and visitor orientation, and a nose for good trade fair stories. And from spring 2026, they will be telling these good stories not only in Stuttgart and Nuremberg, but also in the heart of the Ruhr region, in Germany’s emotional automotive capital, Essen. In doing so, they attach great importance to sincerity (e.g. in communicating visitor numbers) and reliability (e.g. in agreements with their customers).
Strong growth in Stuttgart provides tailwind
The latest results from RETRO CLASSICS® in Stuttgart prove that they enjoy an excellent reputation in the classic car industry. At the end of February, the classic car event in Stuttgart, the actual capital of the automotive industry, attracted 77,000 visitors and brought the trade fair, now in its 24th year, a substantial increase in visitor numbers compared to previous years.
Furthermore, leading figures in the classic car scene are in favour of passing the baton to the Ruhr metropolis.
Lukas Wegener, representative of the renowned Mercedes brand clubs, is looking forward to RETRO CLASSICS ESSEN®: „The Mercedes-Benz brand clubs have been participating in RETRO CLASSICS® in Stuttgart for almost two decades. Now we are delighted that Retro is expanding its involvement to the Ruhr region. For us, this is a great opportunity to continue our partnership and cooperation.“
Commercial retailers look forward to change in the Ruhr region
The vote is also clear in the commercial sector. Thomas Rosier, managing director of Rosier Classic Sterne (the last remaining Mercedes dealer at the previous trade fair in Essen and a participant for 30 years), is looking forward to a serious and customer-oriented concept and will continue to offer outstanding vehicles for sale at the trade fair. Thomas Feierabend, the specialist for classic old-timers and young-timers from BMW in Würzburg, expresses a similar view: “We have been partners with RETRO CLASSICS® for years and are delighted to actively support the range of products and special areas with our expertise and rare vehicles. We have been doing this for years at RETRO CLASSICS® in Stuttgart and Nuremberg, value the good cooperation with the team and are very open to future involvement in Essen.”
A programme packed with anniversaries
A programme packed with anniversaries is already taking shape for spring 2026. BMW will kick things off, contributing four series: 90 years of the 328, 60 years of the 02, 50 years of the 6 Series Coupé (E24) and 40 years of the M3 (E30). Together with its clubs, the white-and-blue brand is planning an armada of 328s and, true to its motto ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’, a real driving experience at the exhibition grounds. Opel is contributing 60 years of the Opel Rekord C and 40 years of the Omega A. In addition to everyday heroes, DTM racing cars will also be on display. Mercedes is celebrating 60 years of the ‘big tailfin’ (300 SE), 50 years of the W 123 and, a special youngtimer, 30 years of the SLK. Porsche is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ‘transaxle principle’ (engine at the front and transmission on the rear axle) with the 924. VW is celebrating 50 years of the GTI sports icon and reminding us that it laid the foundation for a completely new vehicle category with the Golf GTI. Ferrari is living up to the already high expectations of the Italian sports car manufacturer with the 40th anniversary of the F40 super sports car. Ford rounds off the anniversary celebrations with 50 years of the Fiesta and the equally ‘golden’ Taunus (TC II).
Lots of support for the launch in Essen from the scene
Leading players from the media and service sector and the international classic car scene have also already announced their support for the new trade fair offering at RETRO CLASSICS ESSEN®. Auto Bild Klassik, for example, will be involved as a media partner. And what would a classic car show be without auctions? The renowned auction house Classicbid, known from the RETRO CLASSICS® trade fairs in Stuttgart and Nuremberg, will be providing the necessary excitement in the bidding competition and will be participating in Essen for the first time. Nick Aaldering from Gallery Aaldering, one of the world’s leading addresses for select high-quality vehicles, praises the new concept of the trade fair for driving culture: „I think the concept of the new RETRO CLASSICS ESSEN® is excellent. It’s a very good idea to develop the fair in this direction. New impetus and innovation are the key to continued success, and I am convinced that RETRO CLASSICS ESSEN® can reach its full potential in this way.“ Tiddo Bresters, President of the international classic car association FIVA, says: „FIVA is confident that RETRO CLASSICS® will build on its high international standing with a healthy drive for innovation and attract a large audience from Germany and abroad to Essen with a wide range of exhibitors.“
A strong focus on service and predictability
When asked what Henning and Thilo Könicke, as the people responsible for RETRO CLASSICS ESSEN®, are focusing on in particular, the answer is clear: “We listened carefully to what the scene here in the west expects from its future classic car show. The fact that no vehicle manufacturers were directly represented at the last show was seen as a clear flaw, which we will remedy,” explains Thilo Könicke. His management colleague Henning adds: “When a renowned trade magazine such as “Kfz-Betrieb” from the Vogel Communications Group talks about shortcomings in service and casts doubt on the organiser’s success stories, the task is clear – this confirms our product policy as serious trade fair professionals with a clear focus on service quality, reliability and predictability, and we will establish this in Essen too. The community here deserves it. More than 100 exhibitors and partners have already decided to join us on this journey from 2026 onwards.”
The first RETRO CLASSICS ESSEN® will take place from 8 to 12 April 2026 at Messe Essen. Further information and contact details can be found at: www.retro-classics-essen.de
