From October 13 to 15, 2017, the Hamburg Motor Classics will take visitors on a fascinating journey through the world of classic automobiles. The premiere event at the Hamburg exhibition grounds will feature classic and vintage cars from almost every chapter in the history of the automobile: From stately convertibles from the 1930s to super sports cars from the 1980s. The fine vehicle models can not only be admired, most of them are also for sale, and each one tells its very own story.
In addition to classic and vintage cars, Hamburg Motor Classics offers a broad program for connoisseurs and beginners alike. Topics such as the valuation, purchase, insurance, transportation and care of classic and vintage cars will be addressed by industry experts in specialist presentations, providing even inexperienced visitors with a deeper insight into the scene. And those who want to find out more can take part in a guided tour of the exhibition and have the characteristics of the various models explained to them on site.
Special rarities at the Hamburg Motor Classic
The Mercedes Benz 320 Cabriolet D W142 IV is not only an "over-restored" classic car, but also has a light and fine patina. The 320 was first delivered in April 1939, arrived in the USA at the end of the war and was sold back to Germany in 1987, where restoration work began and continued until 1999. In 2004, the current owner bought the cabriolet, regularly drove the Mercedes to events and won various prizes with it.
The Mercedes 230 SL "Pagoda" is a noble classic car that was registered in Italy in 1966 and is still in its original condition today. Equally untouched is a yellow Porsche 914/6 from 1970: this car was delivered to the USA, still bears its original paintwork and has covered less than 70,000 kilometers. Those who prefer something even more unusual will find a snow-white Ferrari 512 BB from 1980 with 360 hp.
The Datsun 240Z shows that not every classic car has to be as expensive as the exclusive models from Mercedes, Porsche or Ferrari. The Japanese manufacturer's successful model has been able to compete with European sports cars since 1969. Motorkontor from Bremerhaven will be exhibiting several examples at Hamburg Motor Classics.
Anyone who loves the shapes of classic cars, but shies away from their historic and fragile technology, is in the right place with the exhibitor Morgan Park Hamburg, which is showing models from the British small series manufacturer Morgan. Among other things, the latest generation of the Morgan Aero 8 with a 367 hp eight-cylinder engine will be on display.
If Rolls-Royce is luxury, then a Rolls-Royce Phantom is the epitome of luxury. This model series traditionally represents the pinnacle of the model range. The history of the Phantom began with the first generation produced from 1925 to 1931. It is precisely from this series that Fusco Automobile from Hofheim-Wallau intends to present a particularly exceptional example at the Hamburg Motor Classics: A 1930 Phantom I Ascot Phaeton Tourer. This car was only built 35 times and is now worth more than one million euros.
Equally expensive is the 37-year-old Jaguar XJ 4.2 L, which spent 17 years of its existence in the private underground garage of a Blankenes family. During this time, the limousine was only driven on special occasions and covered just 4,330 kilometers in all those years. Today, the car belongs to the Voss family, who no longer want to give it away or sell it. At Hamburg Motor Classics, visitors can inspect the noble model and learn more about its unusual history.
Once to America and back: the adventures of a VW T1
It all began with the idea of an unusual honeymoon and turned into an adventure that was to last fifty years: a journey that took it from Germany through the whole of Europe, the USA and back to Germany. At the center of this adventurous journey is a unique VW Bus T1, which Motorkontor will be presenting at the Hamburg Motor Classics.
The story of the VW T1 began in the early 1960s when German Leon Schmidt emigrated to California, fell in love and got married there. The young couple planned a three-month honeymoon trip through Europe in a VW Bus. It was there that "Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt" embarked on their dream trip, which was to take them to Vienna, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam and many German cities.
The vehicle's subsequent journey is also documented. The Schmidts traveled back to the USA on board the passenger ship "Bremen" together with their "wedding carriage". There the adventure continued. The young couple drove their Volkswagen from New York back to their home in California on the legendary Route 66. Afterwards, the T1 was treated with great care, as evidenced by the receipts and service booklets that have survived. Together with California's dry and sunny climate, this contributed to the fact that the VW T1 is still in amazingly good original condition today.
Finally, in 2015, employees of the Motorkontor met the now retired Schmidt couple in Southern California. After all these decades, the Schmidts decided to sell their rolling companion, which then embarked on another voyage back to Germany - where visitors to the Hamburg Motor Classics can now marvel at the car with the eventful history.
Hamburg Motor Classics will take place for the first time at the Hamburg exhibition grounds from October 13 to 15, 2017. The classic car fair will be open on Friday from 12 noon to 8 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Further information is available on the website or on Facebook.
