So we did it again this year – came back to Techno Classica Essen, along with Petra & Ragnar from Suixtil DE, our German distributors, for a small week of fun and discovery among a rambling gallery of halls some decrepit, others less so.
That the show has built to such incredible dimensions and preponderance is probably a reflection of the fact that the organizers led the field at a time when such an exhibition must have appeared risky. Now, of course, the proposition is slightly different. It was a surprise to note that some constructors appeared to have put a loss less efforts in presenting themselves at the show, then again their story is, by now, well-known. It was also somewhat startling to see some of the key merchants giving the show a miss. On the other hand, there always seem to be more clubs and auction houses willing to take up the slack- so it was as busy as ever.
The best news about these indoor shows, aside from meeting a lot of friends, is the opportunity to also (re)discover some completely unknown (or long forgotten) car models, browse endlessly some aisles that present (with different degrees of care) some memorabilia that you might want or need (best if both) and, generally get immersed in a throng of like-minded, generally well-meaning people from all over the world.
As to friends, many thanks to those who took the time to visit (and complimented us on the new Monaco – much appreciated): we gleaned new stories, caught up on some fantastic plans and generally started planning the summer – can it ever be too early.
Some other friends we met (again) were Fred and Dom at SpeedBird Production who were plying their trade in the (newish) Hall 6. Their selection of pictures was just unreal – a mix of society and motor racing pictures that were all done with a care and attention to detail that made them really stand out. Our favorite though, if we had to pick one – was that shot of Jean Behra (a Suixtil hero if ever there was one) with his monster of a Maserati 450S Spyder in the pits at Le Mans in 1957. Jean is smiling in a devilish way (maybe he just heard about the lap record that Fangio established with his car, at over 225 km/h or thinking about all the fun he is about to have). In any case, you have to see that shot in “real life” as it has been prepared by Dom & Fred to really appreciate, again, what magical times those were. In any case, we can only invite you to speak with them the next time you see them at an event – their unique blend of passion and artistry certainly yields great results – at life speed!
And thanks to Günter, another great friend (and our Ambassador for Germany) whom we thank again here, we’ve managed to pull together a gallery that will give you a flavor of what’s still the biggest static exhibition of vintage in Europe – Enjoy:
Your place to be – thank you again for visiting and bringing your great stories along
Our (or Fangio’s) very own new Monaco jacket (c)GünterBiener
We had brought these nice scarves from NK with us as well….
Love what you’ve done here Frans, signs of a life well lived
Under the watchful eye – we’re here to help (c)GünterBiener
Our neighbors came in style with that 6C
Great Winner’s board
We love ourselves a good OSCA….
… or two
250 GT Boano looking good
250 GTO recreation, but not of the Favre caliber
Great French blue for that Panhard (c)GünterBiener
Rare Coda Tonda Giulietta Z
A room (or cockpit rather) with a view (c)GünterBiener
A Type 57 Aerolithe Coupé, but can it be real
Bertone bodied Arnolt Bristol
Did you ever meet the Melkus RS 1000
Did you ever meet the Melkus RS 1000
Ermini 357S MM from 1955 – this is the sound of our heart meltin (c)GünterBiener
Had you ever met the Jensen 541, we neither, inspiring
Pretty powerful monster with legendary names on the side (c)GünterBiener
If you were taking names (c)GünterBiener
What could that long tail be hiding? (c)GünterBiener
Magic, it turns out… (c)GünterBiener
Legendary Maserati 4CLT – we meet again…
One of very few surviving AFM Silver Arrows
Gorgeous TdF, part of the organizers’s exhibition (c)GünterBiener
Other parts of the organizers’ exhibition – cool Ferrari
Other parts of the organizers’ exhibition – glorious 550 Spyder
Other parts of the organizers’ exhibition – Lovely DB2
Playing with the lights on a C-type hood
Quite the line-up, 300S, 3500GT… (c)GünterBienerv
Still crazy after all these years – Fuchs alors (c)GünterBiener
Stratos across the ages (c)GünterBiener
The Mercedes proto gallery was certainly impressive
The Peking Paris in a Bentley – now that’s a challenge
The Sprint Speciale always feel, well, speciale
The Stratos in that dark blue – just right
what do we have here?
This looks like quite the machine (c)GünterBiener
Well-lived, hopefully – and preservation class now (c)GünterBiener
Well-lived, hopefully – and preservation class now (c)GünterBiener
Well-lived, hopefully – and preservation class now (c)GünterBiener
Will you be staying or going (c)GünterBiener
Your entire garage sorted in one fell swoop (c)GünterBiener
Yum Yum, unusual colors on that DB4 make it quite tantalizing
Techno Classica in Germany – welcome to the largest European vintage party
So we did it again this year – came back to Techno Classica Essen, along with Petra & Ragnar from Suixtil DE, our German distributors, for a small week of fun and discovery among a rambling gallery of halls some decrepit, others less so.
That the show has built to such incredible dimensions and preponderance is probably a reflection of the fact that the organizers led the field at a time when such an exhibition must have appeared risky. Now, of course, the proposition is slightly different. It was a surprise to note that some constructors appeared to have put a loss less efforts in presenting themselves at the show, then again their story is, by now, well-known. It was also somewhat startling to see some of the key merchants giving the show a miss. On the other hand, there always seem to be more clubs and auction houses willing to take up the slack- so it was as busy as ever.
The best news about these indoor shows, aside from meeting a lot of friends, is the opportunity to also (re)discover some completely unknown (or long forgotten) car models, browse endlessly some aisles that present (with different degrees of care) some memorabilia that you might want or need (best if both) and, generally get immersed in a throng of like-minded, generally well-meaning people from all over the world.
As to friends, many thanks to those who took the time to visit (and complimented us on the new Monaco – much appreciated): we gleaned new stories, caught up on some fantastic plans and generally started planning the summer – can it ever be too early.
Some other friends we met (again) were Fred and Dom at SpeedBird Production who were plying their trade in the (newish) Hall 6. Their selection of pictures was just unreal – a mix of society and motor racing pictures that were all done with a care and attention to detail that made them really stand out. Our favorite though, if we had to pick one – was that shot of Jean Behra (a Suixtil hero if ever there was one) with his monster of a Maserati 450S Spyder in the pits at Le Mans in 1957. Jean is smiling in a devilish way (maybe he just heard about the lap record that Fangio established with his car, at over 225 km/h or thinking about all the fun he is about to have). In any case, you have to see that shot in “real life” as it has been prepared by Dom & Fred to really appreciate, again, what magical times those were. In any case, we can only invite you to speak with them the next time you see them at an event – their unique blend of passion and artistry certainly yields great results – at life speed!
And thanks to Günter, another great friend (and our Ambassador for Germany) whom we thank again here, we’ve managed to pull together a gallery that will give you a flavor of what’s still the biggest static exhibition of vintage in Europe – Enjoy: