Around 180,000 visitors enjoyed Essen’s customarily large halls and superlative manufacturer displays. While they might have expected to see serried ranks of Carrera RSs, 300 SL ‘Gullwings’ and classic Mercedes ‘Pagodas’, many were shocked by the prices asked for often everyday classics.
Take, for example, a ‘G Model’, 1980s rubber-bumper Porsche 911, a good car it’s true, but one worth 30,000 euros… for an example with a six-figure mileage? Or the private sales in the car parks, such as classic VWs with highly optimistic stickers on their windscreens.
Was it all hype or a wholly justifiable increase in values? This was the hot discussion topic on dealer stands and in the aisles. That said, 1,200 exhibitors from 30 countries found buyers eager for simple souvenirs - or seriously expensive classic cars.
Classic Drivers dealers showing at Techno-Classica 2012 included Thiesen Berlin and Thiesen Hamburg, Hall & Hall, Steenbuck, Fusco, Movendi, Hyman, Coys, Frank Dale & Stepsons, Springbok, Eberlein, Martin Chisholm Collectors Cars and The Aston Workshop.
For those who have never been, a trip to Techno-Classica is a ‘must’. So, get your 2013 diaries out and block-book 10-14 April right away.
Photos: Mathias Paulokat, André Scheuermann
