Date: 06 April, 2016
Location: Messe Essen, Norbertstr. 2, D-45131 Essen
Few classic events worldwide can claim to be as truly international as the Techno-Classica Essen.
Last year’s 27th edition of the exhibition attracted 190,000 guests from 41 countries, with more than 1,250 exhibitors from 30 nations.
This year the five-day fair (April 6-10) will have even more vintage, prestige and classic vehicles in store, as well as plenty of motorbikes.
Who knows, you might fancy making a long weekend of it in this west German city?
Other tourist attractions include its stunning architecture, fascinating museums, beer cellars and what’s been called the world’s most beautiful coal mine?
Concours champs and dazzling displays
The Porsche 359, Volkswagen Polo, Citroën DS and Jaguar all celebrated significant birthdays at last year’s event.
Mercedes-Benz also featured strongly, with a Mille Miglia-winning 300 SLR its star turn.
More than 25 carmakers joined the jamboree and this year’s fair promises a similarly top-notch turnout from many of the big names.
It’s a similar story for the fair’s FIVA Concours d’Elegance.
Categories here go back to as far as before 1904 (ancestor), as well as veteran (1905-18) and vintage (1919-1930) sections.
An 1899 Delahaye, Rolls-Royce 1912 Silver Ghost and Renault Model 25 Tourer have won these awards in the past.
Ferrari won the overall best-of-show prize with its head-turning 1957 250GT Pininfarina Cabriolet Serie 1.
Don’t leave without…
• Looking for your next car: Organisers claim that no other show on the planet offers visitors the widest choice of classic cars to buy - with more than 2,500 machines up for grabs last year
• Visiting your favourite club stands: Essen also claims to have the largest selection of club stands to choose from - all 220-plus of them.
• Checking out the restoration displays
• Purchasing some spare parts on sale
How to get tickets
Adult tickets cost 22 euros (£17.14) in advance, 18 euros (£14.02) for teenagers aged 15-17 and 11 euros (£8.57) for children aged 8-14. Family tickets are 55 euros (£42.85). Prices cost more on the door.
Wednesday’s preview runs from 2pm-8pm. On other days, the doors open from 9am-6pm, except Fridays when the show stays open until 7pm.
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