A visit to the 26th InterClassics at the Maastricht Exhibition Center MECC - just a 30-minute drive from Aachen - is always a successful start to the new classic car year. And a worthwhile one at that, because in addition to the usual stands with spare parts, books, models, club stands and other automobilia, you will always find something special and rare on 35,000 square meters.
It may not be the largest event in the classic car scene in terms of space, but it combines international flair with special quality.
Prices on request
Let's start in the high-price segment: Beyond the 200,000 euro mark, or where there is only discreet talk of "POR" or "POA" (=price on request/prijs op aanfraag), there is an exquisite and diverse range of vehicles, particularly of English or Italian provenance - there is no dominance of vehicles from Stuttgart manufacturers here.
So if you are looking for an AC, Aston Martin or Bentley, you should travel to Maastricht, as some things are often on offer here before other relevant events. Of course, there were also plenty of Porsches and Mercedes on offer again this year, such as a rare Mercedes-Benz 300 S Coupé from 1953 for 398,000 euros or a gullwing SL restored by Kienle 12 years ago for almost 1.4 million euros.
With an Italian accent
This year's edition, however, had a special Italian accent. Given the range on offer, you could almost have thought you were south of the Alps. This was certainly due to the theme of this year's InterClassics, which dedicated a special exhibition to the Lancia brand (more on this in a moment).
And so many a dealer also presented a Lancia, perhaps in the immediate vicinity of an Alfa or Fiat. The Lancias on offer spanned all model ranges and price categories. For example, a black Appia Berlina from the 3rd series (1962) or a Fulvia GT from 1967 were offered for 14,900 euros each, a Flavia Coupé from 1966 for 22,500 euros and a Flaminia Coupé from the same year for 97,500 euros.
Various Alfa Giulias were on offer for up to 20,000 euros, as well as some De Tomaso Panteras and even Bizzarrinis.
Wide range of vehicles in the mid-price segment
The author always finds the vehicles in the segment up to 30,000 euros particularly exciting in Maastricht.
Here you can find interesting cars that are not usually the focus of investors: For example, an Opel Rekord for 10,990 euros or a DKW F 93 Sonderklasse for 16,900 euros (both built in 1956), a Goggomobil 250 Coupé for 12,850 euros or an Audi 100 Coupé for 29,500 euros.
Furthermore, one of two (!) Datsun Fairlady was offered for 16,850 euros as well as a Fiat 126 Cabrio for 9950 euros. Various BMWs and Volvos were also on offer in this price range.
Many cars with low mileage
But there are also real "low mileage cars" to be discovered in this area. For example, an Alfa 75 from 1988 with 2400 km was offered for 17,550 euros, while a Renault R 5 from 1983 with 27,500 km was offered for 10,700 euros. For 100 euros more, the same dealer offered a Mercedes 190 E 2.6 (W 201) with a six-cylinder engine and automatic transmission - albeit with a higher mileage.
A Saab 900 from 1997 with only 14,600 km on the clock should cost 8900, a Ford Taunus from 1981 with 30,800 km for 11,800 euros.
Such vehicles are certainly attractive. However, their attractiveness is somewhat diminished by the fact that they could soon be affected by driving bans in view of Germany's unconventional automotive policy, provided they have not yet achieved classic car status ...
The A-Class Mercedes (W 168) "Häkkinen special model" had only run 206 km, but it was supposed to cost 34,500 euros. For 500 euros more, however, you could have bought a headlight for a Bugatti Royale from a spare parts dealer ...
Also striking were a pretty ASA Berlinetta from 1966 for an optimistic 325,000 euros, a Ford Taunus 2.0 Cabrio (probably a one-off as a left-hand drive), a Honda N 600, a Mercedes 190 (W 201) Brabus 3.6 with 272 hp and, last but not least, a Veritas Nürburgring Coupé (the latter without a price).
The grandiosity of Lancia
The highlight of this year's Maastricht InterClassics was undoubtedly once again the special show, which, with the support of clubs and the Louwman Museum, focused on over a hundred years of Lancia brand history under the motto "La Grandezza della Lancia".
Once again, the first-class exhibits set new standards. The spectrum showed the range of the innovative Italian brand, whose cars have repeatedly been milestones in automotive history and which was first taken over by Fiat and has been gradually withdrawn from the market since the beginning of this decade.
The grandiosity of Lancia was illustrated by 25 vehicles, ranging from the Lambda Kappa 35 HP from 1920 to the Thesis 2.4 JTD from 2006. It is difficult to make a selection from the vehicles, some of which were designed by Pininfarina or Zagato.
Just this much: the opulent Astura Cabrio from 1938 (from the Louwman Museum) exuded the spirit of Art Deco, the Aurelia B 24 Spider from 1956 and the Flavia Cabrio from 1963 were characterized by sporty elegance and the Aprilia Berlina from 1947 is probably just as rarely seen as the rare Hyena Coupé from 1993.
The small Appia Camioncino delivery van from 1957 was just as surprising as the Belna Eclipse Pourtout coupé with its folding hardtop, which was also the brainchild of French dentist, inventor, designer and resistance fighter Georges Paulin (1902 to 1942). Paulin is more commonly associated with the Peugeot 601 Eclipse.
The wedge-shaped Statos HF Group 4 undoubtedly enjoys cult status - a rally legend that of course could not be missed.
The highlight of the special show was probably the only surviving original of the 1953 Type D 23 Spyder Pininfarina racing car, also provided by the Louwman Museum, which was also featured on this year's exhibition poster.
With Coys auction
In keeping with tradition, the Coys auction house was once again represented at InterClassics. In addition to the noble Italian brands (Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini), Porsche and Mercedes, the offering of around 60 vehicles also included a 1939 Amilcar Compound and a 1954 Tajeiro Butterworth Barchetta racing sports car.
A lavish 1958 Facel Vega Excellence, once owned by film actress Ava Gardner, came from a prestigious previous owner. A far less glamorous Austin A 35, which belonged to Genesis drummer Phil Collins, was not particularly highlighted.
Some "overcooked"
All in all, the 26th edition of InterClassics Maastricht was once again an exciting and high-quality trade fair. The 33,257 visitors who traveled to Maastricht from the Benelux countries, Germany and France probably agreed.
And so, shortly after the trade fair opened, the first signs with the words "sold out" or "Sorry, sold" could be found on the exhibits.
Incidentally, the 27th edition of InterClassics Maastricht will take place again at MECC Maastricht from January 16 to 19, 2020.
