After it briefly looked as if the Bremen Classic Motorshow 2022 would once again open the season as a traditional trade fair, it took place again on February 5, 2022 as a pandemic-compliant internet broadcast.
Karmann mechanics and red list
As in 2021, project manager Frank Ruge and co-presenter Johannes Hübner hosted the show, which was slightly shorter this year at around three hours. In keeping with the tradition of major Saturday evening programs, the Bremen Classic Motorshow began in the spirit of "Wetten dass..." with an "outside bet".
A team of mechanics from Boimstorf near Wolfsburg wanted to restore a 1963 VW Karmann-Ghia, which had been parked for eight years, to driving condition in two hours. Of course, this involved a bit more than just a load of starting pilot in the carburetor. Since "roadworthy" also includes the ability to brake, most of the working time was spent on this.
While the guys were working, Christian Steiger presented three blocks of endangered "everyday cars", at least one of which had survived in excellent condition. The reasons for their disappearance were very different in nature: be it rust (Alfa Romeo Alfasud, Fiat 1500), lack of enthusiasm (VW 411, Audi 100), or simply because they were far too good for Europe and therefore all went to Africa (Peugeot 504).
Unfortunately, the possibilities of the "sound film" medium were hardly used and none of the ten cars were shown in action. So the viewer had no choice but to simply believe Mr. Steiger when he presented the respective driving report in front of the camera.
Mercedes from Bremen
As a son of the north German city, the Mercedes-Benz 190 was of course also celebrated in a video by Steiger and Mercedes factory workers on the occasion of its 40th birthday. Two W201s - a 190 D and a 190 E 2.5-16 - were shown in motion while Steiger described his impressions.
In the second "bet" later in the afternoon, "Mr. X-ray vision" Stephan Gäbe proved that the other Mercedes models that are considered indestructible - the W124 T models - also have their weak points. Within twelve minutes, he had to discover as many defects as possible on a 1996 E 220 T. Intended as a classic for young people, the Benz proved to be only moderately suitable for this purpose.
Johannes Hübner discussed the advantages of two-stroke and four-stroke engines with Andy Schwietzer, the motorcycle curator of the PS Speicher Einbeck, while classic car market smart aleck and Porsche driver Wolfgang Blaube was allowed to present the Porsche killers of the seventies (Ford Capri RS 2600, Opel Commodore GS/E and BMW 2002 Turbo).
Discussions about the future
Of course, apart from the cheerful nostalgia, more serious topics that are currently being discussed in the classic car scene were also addressed: To what extent are tuning and patina compatible with the H license plate? How long will the H license plate even exist? And what does the future of classic cars look like in view of electrification and environmental protection? Markus Tappert and Norbert Schröder from TÜV Süd, together with Hübner, explained the most important points to the audience and urged them to remain calm.
The recording of this year's online event will be available on the Bremen Classic Motorshow website until May 1, 2022.
For 2023, however, the organizers plan to reopen the exhibition halls regularly from February 3 to 5, 2023. We are keeping our fingers crossed. After all, the beauty of a classic car show is that you can put together your own program from the large selection of different cars according to your own preferences.
