The Classic Gala took place for the 19th time in Schwetzingen Palace Park. Organized as a concours, the event is much more than just a beauty contest for luxurious car bodies. This is also confirmed by organizer Johannes Hübner: "We want to produce this 'do you remember' effect, the visitors should remember the cars of their youth or past decades". Of course, this is much easier to do with former bread-and-butter cars than with luxury sports cars worth millions.
Schwetzingen has both, and in recent years has always managed the balancing act between VW Beetle or Fiat 500 and Horch 8 or Maybach Zeppelin. The 19th edition from September 1 to 3, 2023 was no exception. And the 22,000 visitors appreciated it.
Enough space to stroll around
The Classic Gala is extraordinarily blessed in terms of its setting; hardly any other beauty contest has such extensive grounds at its disposal. The park is huge and allows a wide variety of cars to be placed in a theme-oriented and spectator-friendly manner.
The downside is, of course, the kilometers that visitors have to cover. If you do the circuit several times and don't skip the cross-connections, you'll soon have walked five or even ten kilometers by the evening. But of course this is also a pleasure, because every few meters you discover something worth exploring.
Anniversaries in the center
A whole series of anniversaries were celebrated at the 19th Classic Gala: 75 years of Porsche, 60 years of Lamborghini, 125 years of Renault and 70 years of Corvette were only the most obvious, but in fact the clubs and specialists also offered many special exhibitions with carefully curated cars.
Right at the entrance were the Lamborghini sports cars. The early days were well represented with a 350 GT and a 400 GT, after which one or two enthusiasts might have wished for a Miura and an Espada in addition to the Countach and Urraco on display.
Lamborghini fans were comforted on Saturday lunchtime by the arrival of a horde of more modern Lambos, including Diablo, Aventador, but also more modern Urus and Gallardo. They made for a sonorous and colorful spectacle.
Right next to the Lamborghini sports cars in the entrance area was a quintet of Alfa Romeo 6C models from the 1930s and 1940s.
Most of them had touring bodywork and exuded true Italian grandeur.
At the other end of the park, attention was drawn to 75 years of Porsche. A whole series of 356 models, the Berlin-Rome car and several 911s as well as a 914 represented the Stuttgart-based sports car brand.
A few meters further to the left, visitors came across a truly comprehensive special show celebrating 125 years of Renault.
Not only sophisticated models were on display, but also popular cars such as the R4 or the R5 and almost forgotten exotics such as the Renault Avantime or the Fuego. This certainly brought back memories for many visitors.
Many trouvailles
On the opposite side of the park, the Opel Clubs presented the luxury class models of their brand.
There were two Admirals from the pre-war era and three Kapitän generations from the years after the Second World War.
Trouvailles could be seen almost everywhere, such as an Alfa Romeo Alfasud that was once used by the fire department or a largely original Bugatti Type 44.
An Austro Daimler Bergmeister, a Packard with Graber bodywork or a Mercedes-Benz 300b Cabriolet D from 1954 with four doors and restored after several decades testified to great elegance.
The Maserati 250 F Carenata from 1955 or the Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C with a Windowers body from 1935 have also not been seen very often.
And you won't often come across the only Morgan Plus 4 Plus that has been redeemed in Germany, nor the beautiful yellow Kaiser Darrin or an unrestored Rosengart Supertraction.
The almost silent Panhard and the Horch 8 Type 350 as a "strolling car" from 1929 should not be forgotten, as well as Erich Honecker's private Land Rover, but also the four Gutbrod, which were lined up one behind the other.
And the list could go on and on, but the photos in the picture gallery show better what there was to see.
The Corvette at the center of the 11th USCCC
The US Car Concours was dedicated to the 70th birthday of the Chevrolet Corvette. On display was probably the earliest C1 to be driven in Germany, which also featured a special bubble top from Bell Helicopters. There were also later Corvette variants on display, although the theme could perhaps have been approached a little more consistently. A time series with all Corvette generations would certainly not have done the theme any harm.
We were rewarded with many other classic American beauties, including an extremely elegant Lincoln Premiere Hardtop Coupé from 1957.
The classic car ecosystem
Anyone strolling through the paths of Schwetzingen Palace Park could work their way through the entire ecosystem of German classic cars.
There were (many) stands of brand clubs, which could also look over the edge.
We particularly noticed the Opel Kadett GT/E among the old Ford friends, which was shown as a contemporary alternative to the front-engined Escort. A nice touch.
Also impressive were the extensive displays of pontoon Mercedes and Mercedes-Benz 170 models, some of which were quite rare.
At the Zagato Club there was not only a Giulia TZ to discover, but also a Lancia Appia Sport.
The Deuvet was also present and the MAC Museum Singen highlighted its qualities.
Long dwell time
It is not surprising that the average time visitors spend at the Classic Gala is over five hours, as many enthusiasts are likely to spend at least a whole day there. It helps that there is also a wide range of food and drink on offer, whether you fancy an ice cream or a tarte flambée.
The large car show was also complemented by art exhibitors, which are carefully selected and of course also have something to do with the automobile.
Concours winners
Of course, there were also winners in the beauty contest, quite a few in fact!
| Class / Designation | Rank | Vehicle | Year of construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best of Show CLASSIC-GALA 2023 | 1st place | Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 MM Coupé (1938) | 1938 |
| Best of Show CLASSIC-GALA 2023 | 2nd place | Lancia Appia Sport Zagato (1962) | 1962 |
| Best of Show CLASSIC-GALA 2023 | 3rd place | Talbot T14 Coupé (1956) | 1956 |
| Classic-Gala Grand Prix 2023 | 1st place | Mercedes 500 K Cabrio Windowers (1935) | 1935 |
| Classic Gala Grand Prix 2023 | 2nd place | Ferrari 275 GTB (1966) | 1966 |
| Classic Gala Grand Prix 2023 | 3rd place | Renault AK Racer Agathe (1907) | 1907 |
| Star of Classic-Gala Schwetzingen | 1st place | Lagonda 2.6 DHC (1953) | 1953 |
| Star of Classic-Gala Schwetzingen | 2nd place | Alfa Romeo 6C 2500SS Touring (1939) | 1939 |
| Star of Classic-Gala Schwetzingen | 3rd place | Horch 8/350 Hornig-Tourer (1929) | 1929 |
| Baden-Württemberg State Prize | 1st place | Maybach W6 DSG Cabriolet D Spohn (1932) | 1932 |
| ASC-CLASSIC-GALA CUP 2023 | 1st place | Avions Voisin C11 (1927) | 1927 |
| FIVA class A: up to model year 1904 | 1st place | De Dion Bouton - Tricycle (1901) | 1901 |
| FIVA Class A: up to model year 1904 | 2nd place | Covert Tourer (1903) | 1903 |
| FIVA Class A: up to model year 1904 | 3rd place | Locomobile Steamcar (1901) | 1901 |
| FIVA Class B: built between 1905 and 1918 | 1st place | Renault AK Racer Agathe (1907) | 1907 |
| FIVA class B: built 1905-1918 | 2nd place | Pierce Arrow 38 C4 Tourer (1916) | 1916 |
| FIVA Class B: Year of construction 1905-1918 | 3rd place | Opel 10/18 Tourer (1908) | 1908 |
| FIVA Class C: built 1919-1930 | 1st place | Avions Voisin C11 Limousine (1927) | 1927 |
| FIVA Class C: Year of construction 1919-1930 | 2nd place | Packard Super 8 Roadster (1929) | 1929 |
| FIVA Class C: Year of construction 1919-1930 | 3rd place | Panhard X56 Berline LeMaitre (1930) | 1930 |
| FIVA Class D 1 : Built 1931-1937 | 1st place | Mercedes 500K Windowers Roadster (1935) | 1935 |
| FIVA class D 1 : Year of construction 1931-1937 | 2nd place | Bugatti 57 Gangloff Limousine (1935) | 1935 |
| FIVA class D 1 : Year of construction 1931-1937 | 3rd place | DKW F 5 Cabriolet (1936) | 1936 |
| FIVA class D 2 : Year of construction 1938 - 1945 | 1st place | Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 MM-Coupé (1938) | 1938 |
| FIVA class D 2 : Year of construction 1938 - 1945 | 2nd place | Opel Admiral Cabriolet (1939) | 1939 |
| FIVA class D 2 : Year of construction 1938 - 1945 | 3rd place | Mercedes 170 V OT II (1937) | 1937 |
| FIVA class E 1 : Year of construction 1946-1954 | 1st place | Mercedes 300 b Cabrio D (1954) | 1954 |
| FIVA class E 1 : Year of construction 1946-1954 | 2nd place | Alfa 6C 2500 Cabriolet Pininfarina (1949) | 1949 |
| FIVA class E 1 : Year of construction 1946-1954 | 3rd place | Merceds 300 SL Coupé (1955) | 1955 |
| FIVA Class E 2 : Year of construction 1955 - 1960 | 1st place | Talbot T 14 Coupé (1956) | 1956 |
| FIVA class E 2 : Year of construction 1955 - 1960 | 2nd place | Mercedes 220 S Cabriolet (1957) | 1957 |
| FIVA class E 2 : Year of construction 1955 - 1960 | 3rd place | DKW F 93 (1957) | 1957 |
| FIVA class F 1: year of construction 1961-1964 | 1st place | Lancia Appia Sport Zagato (1962) | 1962 |
| FIVA Class F 1: Year of construction 1961-1964 | 2nd place | Morgan Plus 4 Plus Coupé (1963) | 1963 |
| FIVA Class F 1: Year of construction 1961-1964 | 3rd place | Volvo P1800 S (1964) | 1964 |
| FIVA class F 2: built 1965 - 1970 | 1st place | Ferrari 275 GTB (1966) | 1966 |
| FIVA class F 2: built 1965 - 1970 | 2nd place | Dino 246 (1970) | 1970 |
| FIVA class F 2: Year of construction 1965 - 1970 | 3rd place | Lamborghini 400 GT (1966) | 1966 |
| FIVA class G: built 1971-1980 | 1st place | Lamborghini 400 GT (1975) | 1975 |
| FIVA Class G: Year of construction 1971-1980 | 2nd place | Rolls Royce Corniche 3 (1978) | 1978 |
| FIVA Class G: built 1971-1980 | 3rd place | Mercedes 230C (1978) | 1978 |
| FIVA class H: 80 onwards | 1st place | Mercedes 240 D (1984) | 1984 |
| FIVA class H: 80 onwards | 2nd place | Rolls Royce Silver Wraith (1994) | 1994 |
| FIVA class H: 80 onwards | 3rd place | Lamborghini Countach LP400 S 2 (1981) | 1981 |
| Class U - Best Original | 1st place | Amalfi 1800 CS (1974) | 1974 |
| Class U - Best Original | 2nd place | De Soto Fireflite Station Wagon (1957) | 1957 |
| Class U - Best Original | 3rd place | VW Karmann Ghia 14 (1968) | 1968 |
| Class I: Renault badge of honor | 1st place | Renault 4 CV (1954) | 1954 |
| Class I: Renault badge of honor | 2nd place | Alpine A 310/4 (1973) | 1973 |
| Class I: Renault badge of honor | 3rd place | Renault Fuego (1991) | 1991 |
| Class I: Renault badge of honor | 4th place | Renault Espace (1985) | 1985 |
| Class I: Renault badge of honor | 5th place | Renault Twingo (1993) | 1993 |
| Class O: best self-restoration - built in 1980 | 1st place | Piaggio Ape (1973) | 1973 |
| Class O: best own restoration - year 1980 | 2nd place | DKW F93 (1957) | 1957 |
| Class O: best self-restoration - year 1980 | 3rd place | VW Karmann Ghia Type 34 (1963) | 1963 |
| Grand Prix of the Classic Gala Audience 2023 | 1st place | Delage D6 Course (1937) | 1937 |
| Grand Prix of the Classic Gala Audience 2023 | 2nd place | Unic Double Phaeton (1930) | 1930 |
| Grand Prix of the Classic Gala Audience 2023 | 3rd place | Daimler Maybach Victoria (1895) | 1895 |
| Classic-Gala Coachbuilt pre-war | 1st place | Mercedes 290 Roadster Amilcar (1933) | 1933 |
| Classic Gala Coachbuilt Sport | 1st place | Lotus 11 (1957) | 1957 |
| Classic Gala Coachbuilt Touring | 1st place | Horch 8 Type 350 Hornig Parade Car (1929) | 1929 |
| Classic Gala Prix Ingenieux 2023 | 1st place | Opel RAK 1 (1923) | 1923 |
| Trofeo Lamborghini 60 | 1st place | Lamborghini 400 GT (1966) | 1966 |
| Trofeo Lamborghini 60 | 2nd place | Lamborghini 400 GT (1966) | 1966 |
| Trofeo Lamborghini 60 | 3rd place | Lamborghini Countach (1979) | 1979 |
| Classic Gala Anniversary Prize 2023 | 1st place | Bugatti 57 Stelvio (1936) | 1936 |
| Classic Gala Anniversary Award 2023 | 2nd place | Armstrong Siddeley Landaulet (1927) | 1927 |
| Classic Gala Anniversary Prize 2023 | 3rd place | Alfa 6C 2500 SS Touring (1939) | 1939 |
| Classic Gala Prix Design 2023 | 1st place | Ferrari 365 GTB4 BB (1975) | 1975 |
| Classic-Gala Prix Design 2023 | 2nd place | Renault AvanTime (2002) | 2002 |
| Classic-Gala Prix Design 2023 | 3rd place | Alfa 6C 2500 SS Barchetta (1947) | 1947 |
| Classic Gala Supersport pre 1970 | 1st place | Maserati 250 F Carenata (1955) | 1955 |
| Classic Gala Supersport post 1971 | 1st place | Bentley 3/8 Litre Recreation (1990) | 1990 |
| Classic Gala Jury Prize 2023 | 1st place | BMW M3 E 30 (1969) | 1969 |
| Classic Gala Prize of the Jury 2023 | 2nd place | Opel Blitz Bus (1956) | 1956 |
| Classic Gala Prize of the Jury 2023 | 3rd place | Hanomag 10 hp commissary bread (1927) | 1927 |
| Classic Gala Prix d'Elegance 2023 | 1st place | Rosengart LR 539 Supertraction (1940) | 1940 |
| Classic Gala Prix d'Elegance 2023 | 2nd place | Lincoln Premiere Coupé (1957) | 1957 |
| Classic Gala Prix d'Elegance 2023 | 3rd place | Rolls Royce Silver Cloud Empress (1937) | 1937 |
| Classic Gala Prix Couture 2023 | 1st place | NSU Fiat 508C Gläser Cabriolet (1938) | 1938 |
| Classic Gala Prix Couture 2023 | 2nd place | Horch 8 Type 350 Hornig parade car (1929) | 1929 |
| Classic Gala Prix Couture 2023 | 3rd place | Mercedes 170 V OT II (1937) | 1937 |
| Classic Gala Prix deLuxe until 1920 | 1st place | Pierce Arrow 38 C4 Tourer (1916) | 1916 |
| Classic-Gala Prix deLuxe until 1939 | 1st place | Maybach 12/DSG Lim.-Coupé Spohn (1932) | 1932 |
| Classic-Gala Prix deLuxe until 1966 | 1st place | Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III Continental (1965) | 1965 |
| Classic-Gala Best of 50ties | 1st place | Mercedes 300 SL Roadster (1957) | 1957 |
| Classic-Gala Best of 60ties | 1st place | DKW 1000 SP (1963) | 1963 |
| Classic-Gala Best of 70ties | 1st place | DeTomaso Pantera (1972) | 1972 |
| Classic-Gala Best Sportscar 2023 | 1st place | Healey Silverstone (1950) | 1950 |
| Classic-Gala Best Sportscar 2023 | 2nd place | BMW M3 E30 (1988) | 1988 |
| Classic-Gala Best Sportscar 2023 | 3rd place | BMW 328 Roadster (1939) | 1939 |
| Classic-Gala Vainqueur Francais | 1st place | Renault Vivastella Sedan (1934) | 1934 |
| Classic Gala Trofeo Italia | 1st place | Lancia Delta Integrale (1989) | 1989 |
| Classic-Gala Best British Car | 1st place | Sunbeam 30 HP (1927) | 1927 |
| Classic Gala Convertible of the Year | 1st place | Rolls Royce 20/25 HP Barker Allweather (1923) | 1923 |
| Classic Gala Convertible of the Year | 2nd place | Mercedes 190 SL (1961) | 1961 |
| Classic Gala Cabriolet of the Year | 3rd place | Cadillac Eldorado Bicentennial (1979) | 1979 |
| Classic Gala Grand Prix Voiturette 2023 | 1st place | Gutbrod Superior (1952) | 1952 |
| Classic Gala Grand Prix Voiturette 2023 | 2nd place | Gutbrod 4-seater limousine (1952) | 1952 |
| Classic Gala Grand Prix Voiturette 2023 | 3rd place | Brütsch Dwarf (1955) | 1955 |
| Classic-Gala Wirtschaftswunderauto | 1st place | Porsche Speedster (1956) | 1956 |
| Classic Gala Economic Miracle Car | 2nd place | Gutbrod Wendler Sport (1951) | 1951 |
| Classic Gala Economic Miracle Car | 3rd place | NSU Fiat 508C Gläser Cabriolet (1938) | 1938 |
| Classic Gala Garage Gold | 1st place | Jaguar E-Type Drogo (1962) | 1962 |
| Classic-Gala Garage Gold | 2nd place | Abarth 1000 OT (1967) | 1967 |
| Classic Gala Garage Gold | 3rd place | Saab 92 Barnfind (1953) | 1953 |
| Classic Gala Prix Conaisseur | 1st place | MG WA DHC (1939) | 1939 |
| Classic Gala Prix Conaisseur | 2nd place | Renault Alpine A110 (1975) | 1975 |
| Classic Gala Prix Conaisseur | 3rd place | Fiat 508 C Convertibile Balbot (1939) | 1939 |
| Classic-Gala Collectors Choice | 1st place | Mercedes 280 SE Coupé W111 (1970) | 1970 |
| Classic-Gala Collectors Choice | 2nd place | Plymouth Fury Coupé (1960) | 1960 |
| Classic-Gala Collectors Choice | 3rd place | Rambler Renault (1965) | 1965 |
| Classic Gala Prix Superieur | 1st place | Mercedes 300 S Cabriolet (1953) | 1953 |
| Classic Gala Prix Superieur | 2nd place | Opel Kapitän (1958) | 1958 |
| Classic Gala Prix Superieur | 3rd place | Chrysler Imperial (1959) | 1959 |
| Classic-Gala true heritage | 1st place | Austro Daimler ADR 635 Buhne-Cabrio (1932) | 1932 |
| Classic-Gala true heritage | 2nd place | Plymouth Woodie (1950) | 1950 |
| Classic-Gala true heritage | 3rd place | Mercedes 500 Nürburg Limousine (1934) | 1934 |
| Classic-Gala Prix Jeunesse | 1st place | Talbot T26 Course (1948) | 1948 |
| Classic Gala Prix Jeunesse | 2nd place | Morgan + 4 + Coupé (1963) | 1963 |
| Classic Gala Prix Jeunesse | 3rd place | Renault R5 Turbo 1 (1980) | 1980 |
| USCCC - Best of Show | 1st place | Chevrolet Corvette Bell-roof (1954) | 1954 |
| USCCC - Best of Show | 2nd place | De Soto Fireflite Station Wagon (1957) | 1957 |
| USCCC - Best of Show | 3rd place | Kaiser Darrin (1951) | 1951 |
| USCCC - Corvette 70 jubilee trophy | 1st place | Chevrolet Corvette Bell-roof (1954) | 1954 |
| USCCC - Corvette 70 jubilee trophy | 2nd place | Chvrolet T-Top (1982) | 1982 |
| USCCC - Corvette 70 jubilee trophy | 3rd place | Chevrolet Stingray (1973) | 1973 |
| USCCC - Best of 20ies | 1st place | Ford T CAN (1925) | 1925 |
| USCCC - Best of 20ies | 2nd place | Packard Super 8 Roadster (1929) | 1929 |
| USCCC - Best of 20ies | 3rd place | Essex Super 6 Challenger (1929) | 1929 |
| USCCC - Best pre war - 1945 | 1st place | Packard 8 Roadster (1932) | 1932 |
| USCCC - Best pre war - 1945 | 2nd place | Hudson Terraplane Special 6 Convertible (1934) | 1934 |
| USCCC - Best pre war - 1945 | 3rd place | Ford A Victoria Sedan (1930) | 1930 |
| USCCC - Best post war - 1960 | 1st place | Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Sedan (1969) | 1969 |
| USCCC - Best post war - 1960 | 2nd place | Ford Thunderbird (1957) | 1957 |
| USCCC - Best post war - 1960 | 3rd place | Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 350 Conv. (1967) | 1967 |
| USCCC - Best of 70ies | 1st place | Cadillac Eldorado Bicentennial (1976) | 1976 |
| USCCC - Best of 70ies | 2nd place | Ford Thunderbird Landau Coupé (1973) | 1973 |
You can also admire the winners and the other cars in the photo gallery .
