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Preview: Techno-Classica Show, Essen, 26-30 March

Published 22 March 2014

If you visit the 26th Techno Classica at Essen and expect row after row of BMC 1100s, Ford Cortinas and Hillman Avengers, please don’t hold your breath – you’ll be disappointed and should probably have a look around the next local UK show. However, there will be quite a number of extraordinary displays to compensate for your loss.

Jaguar will celebrate the legendary D-type on the largest display they ever had in Essen. Mini will, of course, remind us of the sensational win of the rally Monte Carlo 50 years ago. The centre stage in Hall Six will be hosting a special display of Maserati and Zagato sports cars. There will be a selection of Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia and Maserati fitted with the extraordinary and often eccentric bodywork by Zagato.

Mercedes-Benz will gather the biggest display of sports and race cars to be seen outside of their works collection: the vast area of Hall One will host the display ‘Magical Moments – 120 Years of Motorsport’ with 36 cars.

The Zeithaus collection from Wolfsburg will show seven pairs of rear-engine, air-cooled and front wheel drive water cooled cars to show the break in Volkswagen’s development. On 29 March there will be a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the production start of the Golf Mk1. Aston Martin will have its own display for the second time and dip into the rich history of motor sport.

The Techno Classica would not be complete without the clubs. Themed displays will make the show the place to meet for classic car fans from all over Europe. So the same as every year? We don’t think so – even to have a close look at all the new to Essen displays, a single day is hardly long enough. If you’ve got the time, plan to visit on two days.

You want to go there? From the UK you can obviously drive your car to Essen but, for the quick visit, there are other options: find a plane from you nearest airport to Cologne, Düsseldorf or Weeze – plenty of budget flights should be available. If living in the vicinity of London taking the Eurostar to Brussels and then changing onto an TGV to Cologne will get you most of the way quickly and comfortable – from Cologne, a local train to Essen will cover the rest of the journey.

See www.siha.de for details.