People everywhere are talking and complaining about the lack of young talent in the classic car sector, but the Bremen Classic Motorshow is getting down to business from February 2 to 4, 2024 and actively involving the next generation in the classic car and youngtimer hobby.
In a bold step forward, trade fair organizer Frank Ruge has given 18 young men and women aged between 20 and 34, including both amateurs and professionals, the chance to design 400 square metres of the classic car trade fair with their very own ideas. There were no specifications and hardly any framework conditions. And at the beginning of February, visitors will be able to see how the newcomers make use of this offer. The new generation of classic car enthusiasts wants to appeal in particular to newcomers who would like to have a classic car themselves, regardless of whether they are younger or older.
The young classic car and youngtimer fans are coming to Bremen with the following topics, among others:
"What lights us up?"
In this section of the exhibition, two cars will be on display that are a major source of enthusiasm for the younger generation. A Mazda RX-7 FD will be on display as a representative of popular video games such as "Gran Turismo" and "Need for Speed". And a Ferrari F40 will be on the stand as a typical poster car that has adorned many children's and young people's bedrooms in pictures or as a model car.
"Car body construction - old craftsmanship"
Two young professionals (one of them in his mid-20s and already a master car body builder) show a creative self-build and want to inspire with it and with the demonstration of Eckhold and beading machine in sheet metal processing for the old craft of car body construction.
"Patina"
This topic also inspires young people. And it doesn't have to clash with tuned or customized vehicles, but can be shown side by side. Here an original Simson Schwalbe, there a carbon Simson Schwalbe. Here an original Vespa, next to it a tuned Vespa. Plus a modified and slightly more powerful Karmann Ghia and an Ape in its original condition, which will be built from individual parts during the trade fair.
"My first project"
The youngest team member has just acquired a barn find that now needs to be restored. It is an Opel Manta B GSI Exclusive. At the stand, visitors will be shown what steps to take and how to tackle such a project.
"Beginner's car"
Two female members of the junior team have the same car as their first classic. They each have a Mercedes-Benz W123 with a petrol engine and a diesel engine. A video is being made about the reasons for choosing this car, which will soon be shown on the Bremen Classic Motorshow YouTube channel. One of the two protagonists also produces trim parts and small parts using a 3D printer and will be demonstrating this live on site.
"Screwing live"
A second typical entry-level car of the younger generation, the Golf 2, will be wrenched on live to get it back on the road. The idea behind this is that the young classic car enthusiasts at the Bremen Classic Motorshow want to take away visitors' fear of DIY and wrenching.
It will be interesting to see how this initiative is received by visitors to the show; a continuation next year is already planned in any case, after all, not all good ideas can be implemented in the first appearance. A great thing and worth emulating!
Further information can be found on the Bremen Classic Motorshow website.
