After last year's forced break due to the coronavirus, the 53rd edition of the Essen Motor Show presented itself as a "limited edition" for the first time. As a result, tickets were only available in advance, the event took place under "3-G conditions" and masks were compulsory in the halls (except for consumption, of course). But at least the EMS was able to take place. However, there was a feeling that some people still wanted to attend this automotive event before the next lockdown put a spanner in the works. However, the "Limited Edition" also meant a reduction in the range on offer compared to the last Essen Motor Shows.
There were significantly fewer exhibitors this time, Halls 1A and 4 were not occupied and there were no drift events. However, this was not necessarily a disadvantage: the EMS was certainly more manageable this year - and quieter. The sound carpet of the car hi-fi systems on offer was - compared to the past - comparatively moderate and was not drowned out by any drift-related tire squeal. It was also noticeable that the models that used to be booked everywhere or the body-painting activities and the like offered to the public were hardly to be found. At least the author of these lines didn't really miss this ambience.
Two halls full of classic cars
With this in mind, let's take a brief tour of the EMS, largely neglecting the tuning and lifestyle segments and instead reporting from the perspective of a lover of classic rolling cultural assets. Around 250 vintage and classic cars were on display, mainly in Halls 1 and 2 ("Classic & Prestige Salon"). Various anniversaries were celebrated this year at the "Automobile Palace" of the organizer S.I.H.A: the 60th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type or the 75th birthday of the Vespa. Motorsport classics from Ford and other super sports cars were also on display.
Right next to it - garnished with a portrait of the "Commendatore" and promoting the Techno Classica planned for next spring - was one of only three Pininfarina coupés of the Ferrari 342 America from 1953. In addition to the Technik-Museum Sinsheim and its monster "Brutus", which is not allowed to roar in the halls for pyrotechnical reasons alone, the PS-Speicher Einbeck was also represented for the first time with a cross-section of its range. The rare Stoewer 8 Type S 10 from 1928, the Borgward 1500 RS racing car from 1951 (equipped with the so-called "Avus rear end" to mark the 100th anniversary of the Avus) and the mighty Mack Superliner from the 1970s are just a few examples.
Movie cars and old new cars
The presentation of the Melkus RS 1000 register with two examples of the sports car was also not an everyday occurrence. On the large Chrome Cars stand, in addition to Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello's original Iveco camper van, there was also a phalanx of vehicles in John Player Special outfits, consisting mainly of Lotus models. Cineastes were able to enjoy the 1971 Chevy Nova from "Death Proof", one of the numerous 1969 Dodge Chargers from the "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Eleanor" from the Millennium remake of "Just 60 Seconds". Younger movie stars included the VW Vento from "The Fast and the Furious" as well as the Toyota Supra and the '69 Yenko Camaro from "2 Fast 2 Furious"
Of course, classic cars were also available for purchase, albeit at rather self-confident prices. It is doubtful whether a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 b from a fourth hand with matching numbers and data card found a buyer for 103,800 euros. As always, the Brabus Classic department offered exquisitely restored Mercedes-Benz classics in virtually new car condition: for example, a W124 Cabriolet for just under 70,000 euros and two Pagoda SLs for almost 300,000 euros. After all, that was almost three times the price of a Pagoda (not restored by Brabus) on offer just a few meters away. So you might ask yourself how much the condition of a new classic car is worth.
Classic cars for every budget
Even those looking for rare models were not disappointed. For example, a Porsche Carrera 6/906 and a dark blue Bizzarini GT 5300 were on offer, although, as expected, the selling price had to be asked. The 1967 Bizzarrini also won the Concours d'Élégance in the "Classic & Prestige Salon" and was named "Best of Show".
It is just as rare to see an Arnolt-Bristol for sale: here, a red example from 1955 was on offer. And if you were in a nautical mood, you had the choice between an Amphicar and the ultra-rare Gibbs Aquada from 2004 with a mileage of less than 8,000 kilometers for 150,000 euros. Those who didn't want to spend quite so much could have chosen between a 1966 Fiat 850 for 11,900 euros or a Mustang II for 16,950 euros, which took some getting used to. Several Mercedes-Benz SLKs from the first series were also offered in the €10,000 segment, but - apart from special color or equipment variants - there are still plenty of them on the market.
Widebody tuning of the eighties
Anyone who likes cars with a history or from prominent previous ownership could find what they were looking for at the Sky company from the western tip of Germany: On offer were a Mazda MX-5 owned by Michael Schumacher and the original Opel Manta B from the film "Manta Manta" signed by the main actors - which was also available as a 1:18 scale model a few meters away.
Of course, tuning fans also got their money's worth at the Essen Motor Show, but this will only be briefly described here. Tuning fans were able to enjoy a Porsche 911 GT3 tuned by Sidney Hoffmann or a lavishly wrapped Toyota Supra from JP Performance. However, the star of the JP Kraemer stand was probably the VW Golf II GTI called "Thunderbunny" with VR6 mid-engine and powerful wide-body kit.
Air doesn't break, air doesn't rust
Among the converted cars were also some classics that were fitted with air suspension and refined in details. The vast majority of them were also modified with consideration for the historical basis and not randomly pimped. Whether you approve of this modern approach to classic cars or not, there seems to be at least one group of car fans who are still interested in the older models. And an air suspension in an oldie only brings a long-cherished idea to an end: after all, American customizers were already trying to get their cars as low as possible on the asphalt back in the fifties.
A number of touring and racing cars from the seventies to the nineties were also on display. They ranged from the "Battle of the Dwarves" to the Opel Omega A DTM in Jägermeister trim.
Broad Mercedes spectrum
The "Mercedes Fan World" stand in Hall 3 offered a kind of summary of the diversity of mobility on show at the Essen Motor Show. The exhibits ranged from the classic cars Ponton and Adenauer to a C 43 AMG T, a replica of the "Red Sow" 300 SEL 6.8, a slightly aged 400 E, an electrified SLC from the Belgian-Dutch manufacturer Monceau Automobiles and the current all-electric EQS 450+, which were complemented by a 300 SE Coupé with air suspension and a three-axle G 63 AMG 6x6.
All in all, it was good to visit a major automotive event again after a long absence. Due to the situation, however, it was more reduced and clearer, which was not only due to the new hall ensemble. At the beginning of the Essen Motor Show, the fair management was hoping for 100,000 visitors. According to Messe Essen's announcement at the end of the event, this target was achieved.
