With over 1,100 exhibitors, more than 200 club presentations and 30 official stands from the Europe’s leading dealers, the 34th edition of the Essen Techno Classica once again made Essen the bellweather of the classic car scene and the capital of the classic car universe for five days. The most renowned classic car dealers and enthusiasts who put their hearts and minds into preserving automotive cultural assets met here for the opening of the season., presenting the full spectrum of the classic car world.
Visitors could admire over 2,700 collector cars on display, and choose from 2,000 for sale on site. The huge range on offer in the eight exhibition halls and the two outdoor areas included the right classic for every taste and budget – from relatively affordable modern classics such as a BMW E30, a Triumph Spitfire or a Mercedes SLK for a few thousand euros, to the Riley Kestrel from 1937 for €65k, an unrestored 1948 Austin Sheerline of the Belgian royal family and Ferraris in the double-digit million euro range. A special exhibition was dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Rolls Royce around the SIHA pavilion, where Techno-Classica was also opened in the presence of Germany’s Finance Minister, Christian Lindner.
Essen Techno Classica once again lived up to its claim of being the “world fair for vintage cars, classic and prestige automobiles, motor sports, motorcycles, spare parts, restoration and world club meeting”. For exhibitors from more than 30 countries, it was the international platform for good business, not only in cars but in accessories, art, automobilia, models and literature. A large number of “Sold” signs on vehicles in all price categories demonstrated the stability of Techno Classica as a stimulus for the worldwide desire to buy, and invest.
The best classic cars are still selling well
Nick Aaldering, Managing Director of Dutch dealer “Gallery Aaldering”, had already sold treasures from his range of 30 classic cars on the Saturday of the show. “Buyers are cautious and are looking for value stability – but realistic bids are finding determined buyers,” said Aaldering.
Frank Wilke, Managing Director of Classic-Analytics for the evaluation of classic vehicles in Germany, confirms: “There is no other trade fair of this importance in Germany, especially in terms of variety and quality. The classic car market has retained its stability, has remained predictable and has largely consolidated at a high level.”
Internationally renowned dealers such as Dietmar Götz from Klima-Lounge reported good sales results: “Techno-Classica is a forum for collectors and connoisseurs – we sold all our Lamborghini tractors within the first two days and made many important contacts with Lamborghini customers.”
Best of Show at 2024 Essen Techno Classica is an ex-Agnelli 1962 Maserati 5000
A 14-member international jury selected the show-winning exhibit as a perfectly restored Maserati 5000 with Pininfarina special bodywork, delivered to FIAT boss Gianni Agnelli in 1962 without Maserati emblems, by specialist Axel Schütte.
International classic car clubs are traditionally among the main attractions of the Classic World Fair and more than 200 classic car and brand clubs presented themselves and their services on lovingly designed stands, often with dioramic scenes from automotive history recreated in a stage-like manner.
The Münch-Freunde NRW IG was the first motorcycle club to win the coveted Club Grand Prix 2024 trophy. The 77 club judges rated the Münch Mammut’s re-enacted Sahara crossing ahead of the Fusselforum car graveyard and the FIAT 600 Freunde organ donation.
The Classic World Fair is more than just an infotainment show for the clubs. The German classic car association DEUVET is also very satisfied with the fair: “We are pleased with the growing interest in the political work for historic mobility. It’s great that so many classic cars from all decades are being sold, because the vehicles of yesterday are on the roads of tomorrow.”
The stable attendance despite the capricious weather, and strong commercial outcomes at the 34th Essen Techno Classica showed how the preservation of classic vehicles remains an important cultural asset and a sustainable occupation with the history of technology. The average age of visitors was well under 50; young couples and families, friends and colleagues strolling through the halls with great interest.
The fact that the car manufacturers, with the exception of BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes and VW, are currently showing their history with restraint was compensated for by collectors, fans, dealers, clubs and exhibitors with more than 2000 rare vehicles from all over the world; all eight halls offered a world automobile museum.
“Techno Classica unites a worldwide classic car community through a significant commitment from the exhibitors of the crème de la crème of the automotive world,” said SIHA representative, Michel Franssen: “Techno Classica is a trobute to the past and a tribute to the future. It connects yesterday – today and tomorrow!”