This year's Retro Classics in Stuttgart in March 2013 will once again attract visitors with exciting special shows.
Special show "Austria's forgotten automobile brands"
It was not only in Germany that a wide variety of cars were built around 1900. A number of dedicated engineers also worked on developing automobiles in neighboring Austria. At the upcoming Retro Classics (March 7 to 10, 2013) in Stuttgart, a special show will be dedicated to these brands from Austria, some of which have fallen into oblivion, and will present vehicles from private collections that have not yet been exhibited. There were once not quite 30 different automobile brands in Austria. Only a few have remained. Over the years, the majority have almost completely disappeared from the focus of many classic car enthusiasts. In addition to better-known names such as Gräf & Stift, Steyr, Puch, Austro Daimler and Denzel, the list of Austrian brands also includes other rarities with names such as Wyner, Celeritas and Friedmann-Knoller.
The special show "Austria's Forgotten Automobile Brands", which will be on display during Retro Classics 2013, will bring vehicles to Stuttgart that bear witness to a special era of Austrian automobile construction. On the one hand, there are the diverse approaches in the early days of automobile construction, and on the other, the later developments towards the people's car or the luxury segment, such as Steyr.
Design icons from Delahaye in Stuttgart
They are among the most beautiful classic cars in the world: design icons from Delahaye are works of art on wheels that can be seen at the world's most important classic car events. During Retro Classics in Stuttgart (March 7 to 10, 2013), an unprecedented special show will be dedicated to the French car manufacturer's elegant automobiles. Vehicles worth millions will be on display.
Whether at the world-famous Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, at the Concorso d'Eleganza on Lake Como or at the Concours d'Elegance in Amelia Islands - wherever classic cars from the Delahaye brand appear, they attract the attention of the public with their elegance and extraordinary bodies. Never before has there been a Delahaye exhibition like the one that will be on show during Retro Classics. 25 vehicles from the French manufacturer of great value will be shown together for the first time and offer an overview of the heyday of the famous vehicle manufacturer.
Emile Delahaye had already founded his company in Tours/France in 1845. It was involved in the manufacture of bricks, railroad carriages and stationary engines. But Delahaye was interested in vehicle construction. His first successful products were chain-driven single and twin-cylinder vehicles. A brief foray into racing, which was popular at the time, did not bring the hoped-for success at the Paris - Marseille - Paris rally in 1896 and the Paris - Vienna race in 1902. A move to the capital Paris gave the company a new boost. In the meantime, the company founder had retired.
The Société des Automobiles Delahaye began producing passenger cars, buses and fire engines in the Rue du Banquier. In 1904, Delahaye presented a 4.4 liter four-cylinder engine. This was followed by an order from the Spanish royal family in the name of King Alonso VIII. The company was characterized by the quality of its engines, their moderate consumption and their robustness. Managing Director Charles Weiffenbach had individual vehicle components standardized in order to be able to manufacture more efficiently. The global economic crisis put the brakes on expansion plans. However, at the Paris Motor Show in 1933, Delahaye shone for the first time with two Superlux models with four and six-cylinder OHV engines.
The heyday of Delahaye began. The most famous coachbuilders such as Figoni & Falaschi, Chapron or Graber and Saoutschik tailored extraordinary bodywork for these automobiles. Racing victories also provided the necessary advertising impact during this period. A world record over 10,000 kilometers with a top speed of 168 kilometers per hour was set. Delahaye took over the financially ailing Delage company and continued to build its reputation as an efficient company.
The special exhibition in Stuttgart is dedicated to the vehicles built during the brand's heyday. Highlights include a Delahaye 135 MS Cabriolet Pourtout from 1936, a luxury car that was only produced 2,000 times and is one of the top vehicles with a value of 1.5 million euros. The Delahaye Figoni Roadster is also in the league of classic cars costing millions - a breathtaking supercar with history.
Setting striking accents
After around 65,000 visitors, 1278 exhibitors and 3000 exhibited vehicles on an exhibition area of 100,000 square meters last year, Retro Classics will once again set striking accents in 2013 and mobilize visitors from all over Europe and overseas. The exhibitors, including top-class international dealers, renowned restorers and the traditional departments of car manufacturers and their recognized clubs, come to Stuttgart from many European countries. The Stuttgart trade fair for historic vehicles is a meeting place and must-attend event for the international and national automotive scene.
Opening hours of Retro Classics 2013
On Thursday, March 7, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Friday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, March 9/10, daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Preview Day on Thursday, the halls will be open especially for journalists and visitors who want to admire the precious exhibits at their leisure. On the same day, RETRO NIGHT® will be celebrated in Hall 1 from 7 pm to 10 pm.
