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Essen Motor Show, German strength

Each year, the Food motor show closes the season of European events dedicated to classic motor racing. But not only that, because the Motor Show, with its multitude of attractions and diversification of the fields covered, is a good thermometer of the economic activity generated around the automobile in general: modern, modifications, adaptations, customizations, tuning ...

From November 30 to December 8, 2013, its organizers, based on statistics from previous editions, anticipated attendance figures of more than 340.000 visitors that, when paying admission at 16 euros, would represent a box office income of 5.400.000,00 , XNUMX euros. A figure that only the organizers of the world's most prestigious auto shows can dream of.

Those who come to the famous Messe Essen (International fairgrounds), driving their own car must also pay 8,00 euros per day for a parking space. The price of entry and parking is more than reasonable, even cheap, if we take into account that it is a matter of accessing 110.000 m2 of surface dedicated to exhibitions, with more than 500 exhibitors from 30 countries.

ADAC, pioneer of roadside assistance. 1961 BMW
ADAC, pioneer of roadside assistance. 1961 BMW

From this and successive chronicles, I will include a critical assessment of the room in question in relation to the interest and services offered to the visitor, not only in terms of the merchandise on display, but also in terms of the facilities and staff. customer service, as practical aspects that can have a significant influence on whether the stay in the corresponding room is pleasant.

As for the Motor Show we have already almost anticipated it, since offers an unbeatable quality / price ratio. The fair has all the desirable amenities for the visitor, starting with quick accesses, large parking areas, both outdoors and covered; three doors with numerous lockers making access fluid and avoiding uncomfortable queues as much as possible; great variety of choice of restaurants, from the most expensive to fast food bars, sandwiches and drinks at the most affordable prices; cloakroom service and lockers at the three main entrances.

The stands, in particular those of the car brands and preparations that regularly participate in an official way, such as Skoda, Opel, AMG, Brabus; of tires like Continental or Hankook; seats such as Recaro, and clubs such as ADAC, are luxurious, well-equipped and with friendly staff serving not only potential customers, but also the curious in general.

Still not going out of style, the Jaguar E
Still not going out of style, the Jaguar E

Material of all kinds

To present the most essential of the room in a certain order, we will proceed to divide its content by categories.

1- CONCEPT CARS

The Motor Show is distinguished by presenting a selection of concept cars that may never be mass-produced, but that show the status and trends of current design.

In this group, we will highlight some models that particularly caught the public's attention:

a) Bertone Nucio. Study to receive a 4.300 cc and 480 hp engine. Relatively compact at 4,80 meters long, 1,95 meters wide and 1,22 meters high.

Giugiaro Parcour Prototype
Very aggressive the Red Arrow Sbarro
1- Giugiaro Parcour Prototype
2- Very aggressive the Red Arrow Sbarro

b) Giugiaro Parcour. Stylized prototype, theoretically for off-road, equipped with a 10-cylinder Lamborghini engine, 5.200 cc and 550 HP of power, capable of reaching a speed of 320 km / h.

c) Alfa Romeo Gloria. Joint realization between the IED, the European Design Institute, and the Alfa Romeo Style Center. Qualified as a saloon suitable for V6 and V8 engines with twin turbo. The car was presented to the public at the 83rd Geneva Motor Show.

d) Red Arrow Sbarro. Design study for a light car, weighing 700 kg, equipped with a 3CV Citroën DS156 engine.

Opel Kadett C coupe GT / E from 1975
Opel Kadett C coupe GT / E from 1975

2- COMPETITION CARS

A wide palette of racing cars in different disciplines of national and international championships meet in the Gruga Park enclosure.

We will highlight:

a) Audi Sport of the ABT team, which is regularly driven by Ekström.

b) Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, 8-cylinder and 500 hp. A very competitive car at the Nürburgring, for sale for 410.550,00 euros.

c) Opel Kadett C coupe GT / E from 1975. Modified for group IV competition with a 250 hp engine, which allows a maximum speed of 185 km / h. Car officially presented by Bilstein shock absorbers.

Interest continues to rise for the 246 Dino
Interest continues to rise for the 246 Dino

3- HISTORICAL CARS

In general, whenever we talk about historic cars, we will write them down according to the FIVA criteria for vehicles 30 or more years old.

a) A nice 246 1974 GTS Dino, chassis 07808, with only 40.000 km, was for sale having arrived in Europe from its previous residence in Beberly Hills, California.

b) Brabus, a specialist in high-level modifications and higher prices on Mercedes-Benz vehicles, presented two 280SL Pagoda in better condition than when they left the factory. An example of the recent activity of Brabus in the improvement and reliability of classic cars.

Mercedes-Benz Brabus, better than new (more expensive too)
Mercedes-Benz Brabus, better than new (more expensive, too)

Like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche also plays at home, which is why copies of those brands abound. We will mention:

c) In the increasingly fashionable category of unrestored cars, a 356 90 Super 1961 cabriolet, still in original paint, for sale for 63.500 euros.

It is striking that Unrestored cars are exceeding the price of similar cars already restored.

d) To compare it with the previous one, a 356 T6 coupe from 1962, chassis 210935, restored and in very good condition, with a Porsche certificate of authenticity, was for sale for 54.000,00 euros.

Porsche 356 Paradox, more expensive unrestored than restored
Porsche 356 Paradox, cheaper restored than unrestored
Paradox: Porsche 356, more expensive unrestored than restored

e) For a higher price, but in another category of displacement and power, 265 hp, a Jaguar E 4,2 coupe from 1965, impeccably restored, chassis 30308, was sold for 90.000,00 euros

f) Although not explicitly stated, you had to go well above six figures to opt for a 400 Lamborghini Miura P1967S, one of the 275 copies made. The 3772 chassis now sports a beautiful green miura body, according to the factory catalog.

g) Regarding pre-war cars, an impressive 1926 Mercedes-Benz Nürburgring would be representative, with its truck battle, wooden wheels and spacious cabin.

Classic among pre-war classics. 1926 Mercedes-Benz Nürburgring
Classic among pre-war classics: 1926 Mercedes-Benz Nürburgring

4- EXTRAVAGANCES

Extravagances, modifications and unique cars are also not lacking in Essen, attracting the curiosity of the large car-loving public for parades or parades, such as:

a) A 1963 Chevrolet Impala convertible whose meticulous bodywork it goes so far as to decorate the sheet on both sides, even in places not visible without disassembling it.

b) A Cosmotron, brought to Essen by its owner Paul Bacon, from Leicester, Great Britain, built on the basis of a 3 BMW Z1998 and licensed on the road. When it's sunny, you shouldn't get cold under the transparent dome.

1963 Chevrolet Impala, with a paint capital gain
1968 BMW transformed into Cosmotron
1- 1963 Chevrolet Impala, with a paint capital gain
2- 1968 BMW transformed into Cosmotron

5- CURRENT CARS

Hankook presented two recent models for which sets of tires of that brand have been adapted:

a) A very recent Ferrari F12, chassis 193162, which indicates how close Ferrari is to reaching two hundred thousand cars manufactured.

b) A flashy Mercedes-Benz SLS.

c) The MB Design firm, a specialist in light alloy wheels, presented together with Capristo Exhaust, an exhaust pipe brand, a modified Ferrari 458 Spider, chassis 192031, inside which life can be very pleasant for the driver.

The preparation of the Ferrari 458 seems to the liking of its driver
The preparation of the Ferrari 458 seems to the liking of its driver

6- COMMEMORATIVE EXHIBITION MASERATI

We have saved the most interesting cars of this edition until last, in anticipation of the Maserati centenary festivities, scheduled for 2014.

The Essen Motor Show anticipated one of the highlights of the next edition of classic techno, that will have as its central theme the cars that the Maserati brothers began to manufacture in 1914.

In view of the 12 cars gathered in this prologue stage it is difficult to imagine another exhibition that can surpass it.

The ancestor of the Maserati exhibition, a type 26
The ancestor of the Maserati exhibition, a type 26

a) The oldest car in the exhibition was a Type 26, named after it was built for its participation in the Targa Florio in 1926. The car on display raced in the Tourist Trophy in 1931.

b) In 1936, Frenchman Philippe Étancelin drove the pale blue Type 8VRi at the Pau Grand Prix.

c) Continuing in the category of Grand Prix cars, the Type 4CLT that Juan Manuel Fangio used in the 1949 season in the Mar del Plata, San Remo, Pau, Perpignan and Albí races stood out notably.

d) Possibly, as a culmination, the most admired car was an A6G 54 2000 coupe with aluminum bodywork by Zagato. Being one of the 20 specimens on that frame bodied by Zagato, it is not surprising that Techno Classica is scheduled to receive it again in March 2014, as a star attraction.

Starring role for the Maserati A6G Zagato
Starring role for the Maserati A6G Zagato

Assessment

As we promised at the beginning and although it is difficult not to be influenced by subjective considerations, we will try to value the Essen Motor Show from the point of view of the interest it has for its visitors.

INTEREST FROM THE POINT OF VIEW ...

of the automobile in general: 9/10
of the historic automobile: 8/10
market of parts and accessories: 10/10
of modeling: 10/10
1967 Lamborghini Miura, get the checkbook ready
1967 Lamborghini Miura, get the checkbook ready
Comfort of the facilities: 10/10
Communications, accesses, hotel facilities: 9/10
Public attention: 9/10
Presentation, setting, access to the stands: 9/10

DISADVANTAGES:The only unfavorable aspect to point out is the immense avalanche of attending public that, at times, makes it impossible to flow smoothly through the corridors of the different exhibition areas, particularly in the spare parts market. In some corridors you walk side by side with your neighbor, unable to move forward or backward, as the human river prevents it.

But Who could organize a Motor Show for one person?
 
 
 

Full-size images (1.100 px. Approx.)


 
 
 

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Written by mario laguna

Mario Laguna, author of the book "The Pegaso Adventure", scholar and observer of the history of motor racing, brands and characters. Regular visitor to automobile competitions, whether of current or historical categories, international contests of elegance, lecturer ... Read more

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