Where do you start with a show like Techno Classica Essen? Well it's gigantic for a start. This was our first time and we weren't sure what to expect. Everyone who I'd spoken to about it said it needed a good two days to go round all of it, and they were right.
If you imagine the NEC Classic Car show and multiply by 5 or 6 then you are getting close. Mercedes-Benz take on a whole hall with all their stands and exhibits; it's truly mind boggling! We spent two and a half days looking round and I still felt there was stuff that I missed.
The W111 coupe lover in me was well catered for, there were around 7 or 8 3.5 coupes for sale ranging from 35k Euros up to an incredible 87k for a concours example. There were 300s, 220s and quite a few cabriolets as well. The interest in English cars was quite high with Jaguar and Triumph seeming to take the prize for enthusiasm. Volvo also had a big stand, they are really getting into the nostalgia thing nowadays, they have even had their own web site revamp. The PV831 Schienwagen from 1953 was an incredible sight it ran on rails to clear the track in winter and had a bogie rather than wheels and no steering wheel! Volvo also had a very striking Swedish 121 police car, black and white of course, and PV544 used by the Swedish military - a great stand.
There were far too many French and German exotics to mention but one worrying thing was to see that my much dreamed about Lancia B20 GT is getting out of my reach and Facel Vega HK 500s are on the up as well.
Oh and there were 911s by the dozen if you like that sort of thing!
There was a giant Autojumble which is usually my favorite bit of a car show. Lots of tempting chrome bits but they were all quite expensive (the exchage rate is not favouable at the moment). It was all interesting just because of all the different companies not usually seen in the UK (although their were quite a few of the usual English companies their).
A few traders that caught my eye were;
- Bruno Wenner W111 parts
- Bosch parts they have really gone to town on their web site now, if you need parts numbers it's unbeatable.
- Lederzentrum leather care and repair products which I intend to try on the Coupes seats at sometime soon.
- Another good find was a bargain parts book covering W111 Coupe/Cabriolet 250SE/280SE/280SE 3.5 from vdo Mercedes Club Germany for 20 Euros (MBZ want 70 for their complete version)
Without doubt it's got to be the most impressive show in Europe. If you have a Mercedes or Porsche it's unbeatable. Next year I think I'll be heading back to Retromobile in Paris but only because I like the train trip and I fancy some good French food!
