Three years is a long time and, in fact, over 35 months have passed since the last and 31st Techno Classica in Essen. Then came Corona and nothing was the same again, at least until March 23, 2022, when the 32nd Techno Classica opened its doors and this fact alone was gratifying.
The organizers did not have it easy, because until 9 March 2022, the exact conditions for holding the event were still unclear. In the end, the classic car show, which is also popular internationally, was allowed to take place under 3G conditions and with the obligation to wear a mask. Visitors who had been at the Rétromobile in Paris just a week earlier were amazed at the German rigidity of the coronavirus measures.
It was clear from the outset that not everything would be like it was in April 2019; the situation was still too uncertain even this winter.
In any case, any positive signals came too late for the car manufacturers, with BMW, Mercedes-Benz and the Volkswagen Group deciding in unison not to participate. But Stellantis with Alfa Romeo and Fiat also had to cancel, as did the French.
A little smaller and clearer
This was a challenging situation for the SIHA and one has to admire Franssen and his team for succeeding in organizing a world-class classic car fair despite all the resistance. Around 2700 collectors' and enthusiasts' vehicles were on display in nine halls and on the open-air site, around two thirds of which were also for sale. Over 1000 exhibitors, more than 150 clubs and major dealers showed cars that you don't see every day.
From March 23 to 27, 2022, 150,000 visitors responded to the call of Techno Classica to see for themselves how the classic car industry had come through the crisis.
In Germany, the trade fair in Essen was the first such event to take place for a long time. The mood was good, as confirmed by observers of the scene. Prices had not suffered during the two-year coronavirus phase and the signals coming from the first auctions in the USA and France were positive.
Of course, SIHA was unable to fully compensate for the loss of works, especially as major international dealers such as Lukas Hüni were also absent. So the halls were reorganized and the clubs and classic car specialists were given more space. This did the fair a lot of good, as everything seemed clearer and less cluttered.
Dealers with an impressive display
Although one or two international dealers were missing, those who stepped into the breach fully compensated for the buying public. The vehicles brought to Essen by Gallery Aaldering, Houtkamp, Thiesen or Movendi and Co. must have given many an enthusiast sleepless nights.
There was an almost unbelievable selection of Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, Porsche 911 in all versions and colors, but also less mass-produced classics such as a BMW 3000 Frua Coupé, three special Delahaye with bodies by Ghia Aigle, Motto and Présumée Barou, a Horch 854, a Lamborghini Islero, a Maserati 5000 GT Allemano, a Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Graber Cabriolet or a Veritas-BMW 328 RS.
But it wasn't just buyers of very expensive classic cars and modern classics who came to the fair, there were also cheaper cars on offer, from the Alfa Romeo Alfasud to the VW Karmann Ghia or K70.
Fans of Nippon sports cars were also in for a treat, with several Nissan Skylines and a late Honda NSX vying for customers.
The Danish specialist CC Cars exhibited three prototypes of the Bugatti EB 110, probably never before exhibited together, which were created as the A1, A6 and A7 between 1988 and 1991 and paved the way for one of the most important sports cars of the 1990s.
And there was no shortage of rarities either. When else can you see a Kellison J4 R, a Bugatti with two engines, a Felber Ferrari or even three Lancia Lambda cars, one of which could even look back on four Mille Miglia participations in the 1930s?
The Alfa Romeo 1900 SS with Ghia coupé bodywork is also a very rare piece and was awarded the Techno Classica beauty prize.
And who knew Weidner's coupés before the trade fair in Essen? They were called Viper, Condor and finally (due to naming difficulties) S 70. In 1957, one of these Weidner coupés with a plastic body and three-cylinder two-stroke engine in the rear was on display at the Geneva Motor Show. A maximum of 200 of these 32 hp coupés, which cost DM 7500, were built, and only a few survived.
Good trading volume
The fact that the Techno Classica was rightly booked by the dealers was shown by the many "Sold" signs that were already attached to many cars on Friday and even more so at the weekend.
Nick Aaldering proudly announced on Saturday that nine of his certainly not low-priced classics from his 30-car range had already been sold. Other dealers reported similar successes. And there was also a lot going on in the private market.
Clubs as the lifeblood
The dealers and their vehicle presentations became more important during the absence, but the clubs also made a decisive contribution to the success of the 32nd Techno Classica. 160 interest groups, clubs and associations not only had more space in the main halls, they also worked hard to make up for the absence of the manufacturers.
First and foremost, 17 Mercedes-Benz clubs showcased almost everything there is to know about the three-pointed star on 2500 square meters. Almost the entire spectrum of automobiles built in Sindelfingen and Co. was presented, from the 170 V to the SLR McLaren of the modern era.
This impressive exhibition was complemented by a special show of pre-war Mercedes supercharged vehicles, which were a source of amazement in a wide variety of conditions.
The Ford clubs had also worked hard and presented not only anniversary models and the Ford Capri, but also, for example, a first-generation Transit and two rare LMX 2300 HCS Coupés, which were built in Turin in the early 1970s using Ford technology and elegant plastic bodies.
Many other brand clubs were present. On display, for example, was almost the entire Jensen construction program, many Fiat 500s, a section of the Audi and BMW ranges.
A club jury awarded a prize to the elaborately built stand of the Unimog Veterans Club, which showed a Deutsche Bahn team and Unimog at work on a realistic track with ballast stones.
In second place was the Borgward IG, which showed the public not only an Isabella station wagon but also a little-known Borgward tractor prototype on a farm decor.
We should not forget to mention the AvD, ADAC and Co. They were all also represented with stands, for example the ADAC showed the development of road patrol vehicles from the Hanomag Kommissbrot to the VW Passat and the Deuvet presented a Renault 16 on the stand, which was one of the first vehicles to receive an H license plate 25 years ago.
Some anniversaries to celebrate
The year 2022 is full of anniversaries. Zagato is celebrating its 100th birthday. This was also the occasion for the special SIHA show, which celebrated the collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato, which began with the DB4 GT in the early 1960s.
Unfortunately, the Zagato creations of the 1980s and early 2000s were missing; the focus was on the creations of the modern era.
Eberlein celebrated 75 years of Ferrari, unfortunately the very early sports cars from Maranello were missing from the stand, but other dealers showed early V12 models with the Cavallino Rampante.
The Ford clubs celebrated 90 years of the Ford Y, 50 years of the Ford Granada and 40 years of the Ford Sierra.
The Citroën clubs were able to look back on 50 years of the SM and 40 years of the BX, while Opel celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Commodore B.
And on the Triumph club stand, two TR3s reminded visitors that this car has also been 65 years old. Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive.
So there was no shortage of attractions at the 32nd Techno Classica 2022, and even if one or two visitors certainly mourned the mostly impressive manufacturer presentations, it has to be said that there was no shortage of cars and rarities. Eduard Michel Franssen also drew a positive conclusion and is already looking forward to the 33rd edition of Techno Classica Essen, which will take place from April 12 to 23, 2023, if nothing comes up between now and then.
P.S. However, a better overview than many words is provided by the more than 250 photos, which are largely summarized in the picture gallery . And if you would like to smile a little more about the trade fairs in Paris and Essen, please refer to the picture story by Daniel Reinhard .
