mario laguna
The XXVIII edition of Techno Classica was held from April 6 to 10, 2016 with a program full of incentives in which they stood out:
- A monographic exhibition on the Thousand Miles of 1955;
- The inauguration of a new exhibition area, called Arena Classica;
- A Mercedes-Benz exhibition dedicated to its convertibles, which coincided with the celebration of the XNUMXth anniversary of the brand museum in Stuttgart;
- The centenary of BMW;
- The 40th anniversary of the Volkswagen GTI;
- Selection of cars from the Autostadt museum, from the VW group;
- The 40th anniversary of the front-engined Porsche Transaxle;
We would highlight numerous other activities that we could not even speak succinctly, such as SEAT in competition, the first Lamborghini Miura SV, a selection from the Skoda museum, Scania commercial vehicles, Opel sports cars, Alfa Romeo Giulia or the presentation of the new FIAT 124 Spider.
Let us remember that we have only referred to some outstanding titles in the official program without taking into account the numerous clubs represented with more than 200 cars on display, which program their own activities with their members and guests and what constitutes the backbone and strong point of Techno Classica what are 1.250 merchants independents who come from 30 different countries with their precious merchandise not only composed of classic and prestigious cars, but also of all the spare parts that can be imagined in all the sectors necessary for the proper functioning of cars, motor literature, works of art, miniatures, clothing and accessories.
The exhibition halls, with the new built-in surfaces of the Messe Essen complex, they are counted in a number of 21, something truly gigantic that few of the hundreds of thousands of spectators (the organizer's estimates of 190.000 visitors were exceeded when just over 200.000 people passed through the box office, being a new record ) will travel in their entirety, even if they dedicate more than one day to their visit. The price of the entrance that costs 25,00 euros and the parking 9,00 euros, will never be better justified.
In total, the organization reported the number of 2.500 cars exposed, the vast majority of them are for sale, as we do not forget that Techno Classica is a fair, not a cultural exhibition. Techno Classica's engine is sales, turnover. The rest are attractions to increase the number of visitors who pass by the box office for the simple recess of taking a look, but what mobilizes the exhibitors is the commercial interest. Techno Classica is the world's largest street market in its specialty, although the stalls are so well decorated that they resemble permanently established stores.
The exceptional of Techno Classica Essen 2016
With a similar overabundance of merchandise within the reach of all budgets, from the cars displayed abroad for sales from private to private for a few thousand euros, to the most exclusive cars whose prices reach several million euros, we will necessarily have to limit ourselves to highlight the exceptional, otherwise we would need a whole book in several volumes to detail each edition of Classic Techno.
Let us remember that with the additions of the new area called Arena, the surface for exhibitions has reached the 127.000 square meters, not counting the outdoor areas. Until a few years ago there was only one outdoor area, in an interior courtyard. Currently there are four areas abroad, which indicates that more and more individuals are arriving with their cars for direct sale without going through intermediaries.
In presentation, nothing equals Mercedes Benz, which traditionally installs its Stuttgart museum vehicles in hall number 2. Museum vehicles are surrounded by a conglomeration of brand clubs from all over the country that sometimes do not have to envy the parent company.
This year, Mercedes-Benz It had displaced a selection of convertibles, notably a 500 1935K, a 300 1956S, and a 280 1970SE cabriolet.
El Lamborghini In the eyes of the readers it is not just any copy. It is the first P400 Miura SV on display at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, described as metallic green with leather interior and restored by the historic Lamborghini polo shirt. The VW group with its many satellite brands, including Porsche, occupies hall number 7.
In the central pavilion number 6, among the cars participating in the Thousand Miles of 1955, Juan-Manuel Fangio's Mercedes-Benz 300SLR held a place of honor, but there were also other interesting companions, such as the Stirling Moss Maserati 300S bodied by Fantuzzi in Modena.
BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche
BMW he had chosen a wide variety of his production cars to mark such an important date. There were not only museum cars, but also a wide representation of clubs and specially chosen vehicles from individuals. BMW fully occupied hall No. 12. Because of its rarity, we will mention a 326 saloon of those that were manufactured between 1936 and 1941 in a relatively high number of 10.142 units. With a modest 50 hp engine it traveled in comfort with its four passengers and luggage at 115 km / h.
Celebration 40th anniversary of the VW GTI it had, unsurprisingly, thousands of followers who huddled over the models brought to Essen from the factory's own funds. Being a sufficiently well-known car, we will focus on a project that did not reach the production chain. Perhaps it was a too extreme roadster, the Vision of 2014.
The great and well-known acronym GTI, which changed the philosophy of the manufacture of sports cars for the general public and represented a real revolution, presided over the place.
As for the Porsche, the architecture of the front engine and gearbox on the rear axle was an idea for a better mass distribution, since el 911 It was widely criticized for its delicate stability due to the cantilevered position of the engine behind the rear axle.
Cars with that architecture called Transaxle they failed, however, to defeat the 911 in its predominant position in the taste of sporty drivers. An exhibition 968 could be admired in all its details.
Independents
As for the independent dealers and exhibitors, a truck of the kind used by General Motors in its traveling advertising campaigns that toured the United States in the 9s and 12s stood out, pun intended. The truck, called the GM Futurliner, with the driver's position located in a centrally positioned turret, is number XNUMX of the XNUMX manufactured and is currently for sale.
At the opposite pole in terms of height, an Abarth of records designed by Pininfarina in 1960, it attracted the attention of visitors to hall number 6. At just 1000cc the car set 8 international records and a world record in its class, totaling 10.000km in 72 hours.
scanian, With a long tradition in the construction of trucks and commercial vehicles, he remembered it with a beautiful Vabis from 1927.
As we have always pointed out, whoever thinks of buying a Mercedes-Benz or a Porsche should not do so without visiting Techno Classica food (y Retro Classics Stuttgart). The quantity and quality are unmatched and the prices can be compared from place to place. Forget the bargain hunters. They no longer exist.
The lines of Mercedes-Benz are so long that they are lost from sight and the cult of the Three-pointed Star is appreciated in the windows with all kinds of vintage toys and reduced-scale reproductions of all prices, some are very valuable and wanted by the followers of the brand.
We observed that more Porsche 356 Pre-A than ever and the restorations of the first examples of the Porsche 911 reach perfection.
* Header photo provided by Techno Classica
