It is not without reason that the ASC Classic Gala, organized by Johannes Hübner, is one of the most popular classic car events in Germany. The event took place for the 21st time from September 5 to 7, 2025.
Thankfully, the wet weather on Friday was not a bad omen; in fact, participants and visitors were able to enjoy beautiful late summer temperatures and bright sunshine on Saturday and Sunday. It only got a little damp overnight, which led to a few drying exercises the next morning.
As always, there was much to celebrate at the Classic Gala and many rarities to admire. First of all, there were the five anniversaries, all of which were connected with the letter "A".
125 years of Adler
In the summer of 1900, Adler-Werke presented its own automobiles for the first time. Until the First World War, Adler was one of the world's largest car manufacturers.
After the war, the focus was initially on luxurious large cars, and later on more compact designs. Many pioneering models confirmed Adler's claim to a leading position in German automotive engineering.
When the factories were badly affected during the Second World War, the company had to concentrate on bicycles and motorcycles in the post-war period. Although the Adler Junior with various bodies was presented in 1948, this car did not go into series production. Instead, machine tools were manufactured, which proved to be an unviable strategy and heralded the end of Adlerwerke.
An interesting cross-section of Adler's many different models was on display in Schwetzingen, from high-legged early saloons and convertibles to the "Autobahn" model based on the Type 10.
110 years of Aston Martin
Well, the 110 years weren't quite right when Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford founded Aston Martin in 1913. But the sports car brand certainly has a long history, so the tribute was a good idea.
A good cross-section of the brand's history was on display in the center of the castle park, starting with the pre-war open tourer from 1935 and then leading into the modern era via the DB2, DB4, DB5, V8 and DB7.
One of the wedge-shaped Aston Martin Lagonda from the 1980s was also on display, which still looks futuristic today.
And the V8 Vantage Zagato from 1986 in red was certainly another highlight.
70 years of Alpine
Jean Rédélé founded the Alpine company in 1955. He initially focused on optimized Renault 4CVs, but soon began to build independent sports and racing cars. One of the most famous was the Berlinette, also known as the A110, which achieved countless rally victories.
But Alpine also left its mark in endurance racing, as one of the seven A210s built in 1966 impressively demonstrates in unrestored condition. This lightweight and aerodynamically balanced racing car achieved two class victories at Le Mans, as well as a 6th place overall.
75 years of Abarth
Carlo Abarth founded the Abarth company with Guido Scagliarini in 1949. The trademark was the scorpion and soon the company had an excellent reputation as a Fiat tuner and sports/racing car manufacturer. The Abarth brand still has a special reputation today, and the sale to Fiat in 1969 did nothing to change this.
The Abarth derivatives based on the Fiat 500 and 600 are of course particularly well known,
125 years of ASC
And then there was another anniversary that did not involve a single car manufacturer. The Allgemeine Schnauferl-Club Deutschland e.V. celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025.
To this end, a car was sought for each decade of the club's existence to represent that era. These cars stood in a semicircle right at the entrance, allowing visitors to follow the development of the automobile step by step.
Among others, a Lancia Aurelia, a Citroën DS and an NSU Ro80 were on display, all milestones in the development of the automobile.
One of four Triumph TRX
A unique opportunity presented itself just to the right of the main entrance, where the Triumph TRX from 1949 was located. This prototype, one of four built, was to represent the future of the Triumph sports car brand when it was presented at the Paris Motor Show in 1950 and stole the show from the Jaguar XK120.
However, the convertible with streamlined bodywork proved to be too complex and costly to produce, so the project had to be abandoned at an early stage. This was followed by the TR2, or rather its predecessor, a much cheaper and easy-to-build sports car that founded the entire TR dynasty, which lasted until the 1980s.
However, the fact that one of the two surviving TRXs was able to experience its premiere in Schwetzingen after extensive restoration certainly ennobled the event.
In the end, the Triumph TRX was voted "Best of Show", no coincidence in this story. The judges were very impressed with the design and the condition achieved.
The elegant sports cars from Facel Vega
Facel-Vega's creative period is comparatively short, as it only lasted from 1954 to 1964. During this time, however, 2099 exclusive vehicles were produced, divided into the large V8 coupés, convertibles and saloons as well as the small series with four-cylinder engines, which were also available with coupé and convertible bodies and some with a four-cylinder engine developed in-house.
Almost every model was presented in Schwetzingen, including the famous FV3, HK 500 and Facellia. Even one of the four-door Excellence limousines with counter-rotating doors could be admired, supplemented by a Ford Comète bodied by Facel.
Opel GT in a multipack for the sixtieth anniversary
103,463 Opel GTs were built between 1968 and 1973 - a huge number for an uncompromising two-seater sports car!
The basis was already laid in 1965, when Opel presented the "Experimental GT" at the IAA. This largely anticipated the shape of the GT in the Coke-bottle style.
Not only was this prototype on display in Schwetzingen, but also two other one-offs, namely the Aero GT, a Targa version of the coupé, and the GT Elektro, which was used to set electric car records.
The one-offs were accompanied by production models of the car, for which the slogan "Only flying is more beautiful" was created in advertising.
70 years of the Ford Thunderbird
Concours for American cars, the USCCC, has been part of the Classic Gala for many years. This year, American fans will once again be able to see rare and mostly huge and chrome-trimmed vehicles from the USA.
The 70th anniversary of the Ford Thunderbird was celebrated, which was sent into the race as a rival to the Corvette and was, at least initially, much more successful than the plastic sports car from General Motors.
But it was once again the lavish and colorful coupés, sedans and convertibles that mainly attracted the public's interest.
A great cross-section of over a century of classic cars
You can actually walk around the castle park in around an hour, but anyone interested in historic automobiles will need considerably longer, there was so much to see.
There was an extremely interesting cross-section of automobile construction from the early days to modern times.
Even a Porsche Carrera GT or a Ferrari F40 were there, icons of the modern era.
But the popular small cars and cabin scooters were not missing either, and of course the bread-and-butter cars of the post-war period, whether VW Beetle, Opel Kadett or Fiat 500, also had their place in the extensive exhibition.
Pre-war super classics that are rarely seen elsewhere
What is certainly unusual in Schwetzingen, however, is the extensive selection of very early vehicles.
One example is the manufacturer Gladiator from Pré-St. Gervais in France. Cars were built there as early as 1896, and two-cylinder vehicles were already available from 1900.
The Gladiator Tonneau from 1903, of which around 800 were built, was exhibited in Schwetzingen. This car has already taken part in the London-to-Brighton-Run 40 times.
Tarte flambée and other delights
Of course, Schwetzingen was not just about cars, it was also about socializing and culinary delights. Anyone who had enough leisure and desire could have a tarte flambée baked at a stand and enjoy it while chatting with colleagues.
Clubs and other exhibitors were happy to explain their services and exciting cars were presented everywhere, which quickly got people talking. For example, the clubs celebrated 70 years of the MGA and 190 SL.
The Classic Gala is simply a small but nice folk festival, far removed from the champagne arrogance of Pebble Beach high society. And 28,000 visitors obviously appreciated this in September 2025!
And the award winners
A total of 120 trophies were distributed among the 240 participants.
As already mentioned, the "Best of Show" went to the Triumph TRX from 1949, followed by the Hispano-Suiza J12 from 1935 and the Bugatti 44 Roadster Villards from 1929.
The "Classic Gala Grand Prix" was won by the Bugatti Stelvio from 1938, followed by the Jensen S-Type from 1934 and the Aston Martin DB4 from 1960.
The "Star of Classic-Gala Schwetzingen" was awarded to the Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP from 1922, followed by a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL from 1958 and the Intermeccanica Murena 429 GT from 1969.
The ASC Classic Gala Cup was awarded to the Gladiator Tonneau from 1903.
For the complete ranking list, please refer to the Classic Gala website.
For an overview of the many vehicles and vehicle categories, we recommend the photo gallery with almost 240 photos.
