A great circle will close this December: The Classic & Prestige Salon will open its doors for the 43rd and final time as part of the Essen Motor Show. The industry has loved it, because since its first edition in 1982, this format developed by organizer SIHA has proven to be an absolute success. Car fans traditionally celebrate the Classic & Prestige Salon as a highlight of every season.
With the final edition of the Classic & Prestige Salon, SIHA and Messe Essen are ending their long-standing cooperation. The different view of the future development of the cooperation has led to this step.
The upcoming edition of the Classic & Prestige Salon 2025 will attract the industry with a large program and exciting vehicles. Insiders will meet at the popular preview and press day on November 28, 2025, where visitors can experience the attractions exclusively from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. before the crowds arrive.
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Essen Motor Show will then open regularly for all visitors. Until Sunday, December 7, 2025, i.e. two full weekends, enthusiasts can experience the entire spectrum of automotive passion here. In addition to classic cars, numerous exhibitors from Germany and abroad will present a large number of fascinating youngtimers, super sports cars and prestige automobiles.
Today, the Essen Motor Show is the largest annual motor show in Germany. It forms the framework for the Classic & Prestige Salon, which presents several hundred exceptional vehicles on a generous 17,000 square meters of exhibition space in Halls 1 and 2, which will surprise even connoisseurs and experts with their variety and quality.
Sports cars from eight decades
As part of this year's Classic & Prestige Salon, SIHA is presenting a special show with spectacular Granturismo sports cars from eight decades. From stars of the 1950s such as a rare Fiat 8V, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and a Bristol Aceca to various classic Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Porsche and Aston Martin to the spectacular ABT XGT.
This model, currently hand-built in a limited edition of just 99 units, perfectly represents the idea behind the Classic & Prestige Salon: a car to dream about, a real racing car that is road-legal and can be driven on public roads. By the way, it doesn't have to remain a dream: Scherer Sport is offering the exclusive ABT XGT for around 600,000 euros.
This is typical of the Classic & Prestige Salon, which is regarded as the most traditional sales fair for exquisite vehicles.
Classic tuning
Other spectacular highlights include exhibits from the heyday of classic tuning and refinement. For example, the SGS Styling Garage, the bold workshop of visionary Chris Hahn, will be exhibiting a Mercedes-Benz SEC Cabriolet.
Erich Schulz in Kerschenbroich was no less ambitious when it came to optimizing contemporary vehicles. He came up with the idea of transforming the W 201, known as the Baby Benz, into a two-door hatchback compact model - Schulz Tuning is exhibiting an extremely rare example of this idea at the Classic & Prestige Salon.
A Mercedes-Benz G-Class extended to 5.50 meters - once built as a team car for falconry - presents itself as a counterpoint.
However, in addition to a look back at great tuning chapters in automotive history, the current scene will also make an appearance. Sidney "Sid" Hoffmann, the popular presenter, tuner and influencer, will be present at the Classic & Prestige Salon with three of his own cars - and has announced an autograph session at CK-Modelcars this weekend, where fans will find models from the era of the former cult series PS Profis, among other things.
Drift and rally cars
Lovers of Far Eastern automotive technology will appreciate the always excellent range on offer at the Classic & Prestige Salon on the Japan Mile. The ambitious and popular TofuGarage will once again be active here. The vehicles that compete in the AvD DRIFT Championships in cross-country driving and present themselves to the public here will shine with plenty of adrenaline. No motorsport competition is growing faster worldwide, and for good reason: The action of the drifting cars on the asphalt cannot be beaten and captivates a new, extremely young audience.
The AvD, short for Automobilclub von Deutschland, demonstrates its enthusiasm for historic rallying with a Lancia Delta HF Integrale and a Mercedes-Benz 300 SE as a "racing fin". The AvD will also be informing interested parties about the AvD Histo-Monte, which it is organizing and which will take place from 9 to 14 February 2026. Its route follows in the footsteps of the legendary original rally.
Three generations of Ford GT40/GT
Fascinating classic cars from a wide range of eras will be brought to the Classic & Prestige Salon by the numerous dealers and museums. Ford Store Hagemeier will be showing three generations of the Ford GT as a highlight: the first Ford GT40 from 1969, as well as one GT each from 2005 and 2018. They will be complemented by three selected Ford Mustang models, including the uncompromising Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
There will also be a number of powerful Cobra models, and the dealer Only Cabrios would like to give a preview of the first tours next spring with a selection of some fresh-air models.
Metropole from the Netherlands, a fascinating mixture of museum and dealership, has announced its own special show as part of the Classic & Prestige Salon - including some rare historic trucks. In addition to a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL with matching numbers, Reller Automobile will also be bringing along an exquisitely tuned VW Beetle: With its 2.4-liter Type 4 boxer engine, the 145 hp classic with Porsche 356 instruments delivers exceptional driving pleasure.
Thomas Feierabend, owner and dedicated head of Feierabend GmbH from Würzburg, is bringing several exquisite vehicles with him, including an Abarth 700 Bialbero and a RUF GT2. The company has been active on the market since 1962 and is regarded as a renowned and excellent address for restorations, especially of BMW classics. The Technik Museum Sinsheim will also be coming to Essen with selected exhibits. The renowned ASC Classic Gala, an annual Concours d'Élegance in the impressive baroque palace gardens of Schwetzingen, will be presenting its program, as will the Schenna Tourist Association from South Tyrol, which is inviting visitors to the 40th anniversary of the Südtirol Classic.
Clubs and interest groups
Clubs and associations are also celebrating at the Classic & Prestige Salon: the AMC Duisburg is looking back on 75 years of racing and rally cars, and the Fiat Rarities Club is exhibiting various Abarth classics. The joint initiative by Boxer Motor, elferspot and the artist Christian Rott is exceptional: the Porsche 928, which he designed as a work of pop art, will be auctioned off by the Humer & Granner auction house on December 6, i.e. during the trade fair, for the benefit of the Tübingen Children's Cancer Aid Association.
Preview of the Techno Classica Salon
The Classic & Prestige Salon reflects the worldwide interest in classic cars. The high demand is reflected in the continuing extremely ambitious price level, as confirmed by market observer Classic-Analytics from Bochum. Its latest interim report for 2025 (see attachment for details) lists the ten most expensive classic cars that found a new owner by November. Their value added up to over 212 million US dollars (equivalent to around 183 million euros). This is an increase of over 80 percent compared to the previous year - and a clear sign that the passion and enthusiasm for historic and unusual vehicles continues to grow noticeably.
It is therefore fitting that SIHA has announced a precise preview of the new TECHNO CLASSICA SALON at the Classic & Prestige Salon. On the one hand, the format builds on the decades of experience and tradition of TECHNO CLASSICA, and on the other, it marks the transformation into a new era. This is already reflected in the new date and location: the first TECHNO CLASSICA SALON will open its doors in Dortmund from September 24 to 27, 2026.
The experienced SIHA team, under the project management of Janine H. P. Franssen, has clearly formulated the future. The organizer uses the word SALON to describe the future format: exclusivity and internationality will characterize the new edition. "With the character of a salon, we will establish a serious, versatile and unique trading venue on a global level," says Janine H. P. Franssen with a view to the new claim: The World Classic Car Salon. A Maserati 3500 GT from 1960, which Columbus Klassik is bringing to the Classic & Prestige Salon, will provide a first glimpse of the exciting innovations in the coming year.
What remains as before is the diversity that characterizes the basic character. Renowned dealers have already confirmed their participation in the TECHNO CLASSICA SALON, as have important brand representatives. Youngtimers and hypercars will have their own specialized areas. The outdoor bargain market, which is particularly popular with private sellers, will continue. Collectors and classic car owners can look forward to an extensive parts market as well as a wide range of offers from the areas of automobilia and accessories. Many restoration companies will be presenting their services.
Some clubs have also already confirmed their appearance at the TECHNO CLASSICA SALON. In the best tradition, SIHA will once again provide them with exhibition space free of charge. In addition, there will be innovative, interactive formats that are currently still in development and will shape a new, forward-looking type of trade fair. The versatile, sophisticated concept of the TECHNO CLASSICA SALON promises to make a visit to the trade fair a unique experience in the field of classic mobility.
During the upcoming Classic & Prestige Salon, all interested parties and potential exhibitors will have access to competent contacts to discuss initial stand options. In addition, special Early Bird Packages offer early bookers interesting special conditions. One thing in advance: the new conditions are deliberately fair, attractive and calculated in line with the market.
Further information and registration options are available on the Techno Classica website.
