Techno-Classica is celebrating its anniversary: the world's largest trade fair for collector cars is taking place for the 25th time. Techno-Classica started in Essen in 1989 as the first major, sophisticated classic car trade fair. Since then, it has set the trends in the classic car scene every year and has become the leading meeting point and trading center for the international classic car scene.
The anniversary edition is currently in the hot preparation phase until the opening on April 10, 2013 with the preview, press and trade visitor day. The organizer, S.I.H.A., is already reporting "full house": All exhibitor areas in the 20 halls and on the open-air grounds of Messe Essen have already been booked.
The 25th edition of Techno-Classica will once again be the world's largest historical show of German and international automobile manufacturers and will even be able to announce a brand record - with 25 vehicle brands, more than ever before.
The traditional divisions of Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Ferrari, Jaguar, Royal Enfield and probably also Aston Martin - which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013 - will also be represented at Techno-Classica.
S.I.H.A. has also been presenting an exquisite special show for many years. After the Pegaso world record last year, the TECHNO-CLASSICA organizers have come up with something very special for the anniversary. The special show "AUTOMOBILE MASTERPIECES" presents the haute couture of automobile construction - the most elegant and beautiful designer creations from the heyday of bodywork construction. The luxury cars on display are all one-offs and were created by the crème de la crème of coachbuilders from the 1920s to the 1950s. These include such extraordinary beauties as the Bugatti 57 C with Gangloff bodywork in Saoutchik style from 1939, the Bentley 4.5 liter Derby Coupé from 1939 and the Talbot Lago T 150 C Teardrop Coupé with bodywork by Figoni et Falaschi from 1938.
Other anniversary themes and special mottos are also traditionally taken up by the clubs, which, with over 200 exhibiting automobile clubs, make the "World Fair for Classic Cars, Classic & Prestige Automobiles, Motorsport, Motorcycles, Spare Parts, Restoration and World Club Meeting" the world's largest classic car club forum. Many of them have been there since the first fair in 1989, such as the "VW Type 3 Liebhaber" or the Borgward IG.
People meet at Techno-Classica - since the first, then two-day trade fair in 1989, visitor numbers have risen steadily and become increasingly international. The initial 30,000 became over 180,000 visitors in 2012. The organizers are expecting another increase for the anniversary edition. The vibrant world fair for classic cars has also become more attractive for exhibitors from year to year - in 1989, the 250 exhibitors were still spread across six exhibition halls, but now all the space in the 20 halls and the outdoor area is already fully booked by around 1,200 exhibitors. And they are also becoming increasingly international: specialist dealers now come not only from all over Europe, but also from overseas - exhibitors from North and South America and even China present their products. Around 2,500 collector cars from all eras of the automobile will be for sale - more than anywhere else.
In addition, Techno-Classica will feature more restorers, suppliers, car literature providers, spare parts dealers, accessories sellers, watch and technology dealers, artists and gallery owners and, last but not least, car model suppliers than any other classic car show in the world. Everything, but really everything to do with classic and vintage cars can be seen at the five-day trade fair.
