Final Report 2024

TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN 2024 –
The world show - international capital of the classic universe

• Original and role model: the TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN attractive and market-leading
• Automobile passion across all generations
• More and more collectors and trade visitors from 46 nations - 2,700 classic cars in all eight halls

Essen, April 12, 2024

With over 1,100 exhibitors, more than 200 club presentations and around 30 official stands from the market's leading dealers, the 34th edition of Techno-Classica Essen once again made the Ruhr metropolis the barometer of the classic car scene and the capital of the classic car universe for five days. The most renowned classic car dealers, protagonists of the international classic car and automobile scene and enthusiasts who put their hearts and minds into preserving automotive cultural assets met here for the opening of the season. They presented the entire spectrum of the classic car world in the Essen exhibition halls. Guests were able to admire over 2,700 collectors' and enthusiasts' vehicles on display - and purchase around 2,000 directly on site. The huge range on offer in the eight exhibition halls and the two outdoor areas included the right classic for every taste and budget - from affordable youngtimers such as a BMW E30 or VW Golf 2, Triumph Spitfire or a Mercedes SLK for a few thousand euros, to the Riley Kestrel from 1937 for 65,000 euros, to the unrestored Austin Sheerline of the Belgian royal family from 1948 and Ferraris in the double-digit million euro range. A special exhibition was dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the British royal brand Rolls Royce around the SIHA pavilion in Hall 5, where Techno-Classica was also opened in the presence of Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

Collector cars on the upswing

Techno-Classica Essen thus once again lived up to its claim of being the "world fair for vintage cars, classic and prestige automobiles, motor sports, motorcycles, spare parts, restoration and world club meeting": for exhibitors from more than 30 nations, it was the international platform for good business - this applies not only to the vehicle trade, but also to the other exhibition areas such as accessories, art, automobilia, model cars and literature. The large number of "Sold" signs on vehicles in all price categories demonstrated the stability of the leading trade fair Techno-Classica as a stimulus for the worldwide desire to buy, and sometimes also to invest capital.

Solid vehicles are in demand

Nick Aaldering, Managing Director of the Dutch trade professional "Gallery Aaldering", had already sold the first treasures from his range of 30 classic cars on the Saturday of the fair: "Buyers are cautious and are looking for value stability - but realistic bids are finding determined buyers," said Aaldering, analyzing the situation. Frank Wilke, Managing Director of Classic-Analytics for the evaluation of classic vehicles in Germany, confirms: "There is no other trade fair of this importance in Germany, especially in terms of variety and quality. The classic car market has retained its stability, has remained predictable and has largely consolidated at a high level." Internationally renowned dealers such as Dietmar Götz from Klima-Lounge reported good sales results: "Techno-Classica is a forum for collectors and connoisseurs - we sold all our Lamborghini tractors within the first two days and made many important contacts with Lamborghini customers."

Best of Show is a Maserati 5000 from 1962

A 14-member international jury headed by Dutchman Maikel de Munnik selected the world's best automobile from more than 150 Concours d'Élégance participants - a responsible task: a perfectly restored Maserati 5000 with Pininfarina special bodywork, delivered to FIAT boss Gianni Agnelli in 1962 without Maserati emblems, by specialist Axel Schütte in Hall 1, Stand 321, was chosen as the "Best of Show 2024" by the experts and journalists.

Classic car clubs and all "scene representatives" on site

In addition to trade and industry presentations, the appearances of international classic car clubs were traditionally among the main attractions of the Classic World Fair: more than 200 classic car and brand clubs presented themselves and their services on lovingly designed stands - often with scenes from automotive history recreated in a stage-like manner. The "Münch-Freunde NRW IG" was the first motorcycle club to win the coveted Club Grand Prix 2024 trophy, because the 77 club judges rated the Münch Mammut's re-enacted Sahara crossing as the heaviest motorcycle in the world with sand ahead of the "Fusselforum" car graveyard and the FIAT 600 Freunde "organ donation". However, the Classic World Fair is more than just an infotainment show for the clubs - the German classic car association DEUVET is also very satisfied with the fair: "We are pleased with the growing interest in the political work for historic mobility. It's great that so many classic cars from all decades are being sold, because the vehicles of yesterday are on the roads of tomorrow."

Stability of the classic car business

The stable number of visitors despite the capricious weather and the positive course of business for the trade at the 34th Techno-Classica showed that the preservation of classic vehicles is an important cultural asset and a sustainable occupation with the history of technology, even in times of crisis. At the weekend, the average age of visitors to Techno-Classica was well under 50 - young couples and families, friends and colleagues strolled through the halls with great interest. The fact that the car manufacturers, with the exception of BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes and VW, are currently showing their history with restraint was compensated for by collectors, fans, dealers, clubs and exhibitors with more than 2000 rare vehicles from all over the world; all eight halls offered a world automobile museum.

S.I.H.A. representative Michel Franssen:

"TECHNO-CLASSICA concerns a worldwide classic car community with a great commitment from the exhibitors of the crème de la crème of the automotive world. TECHNO-CLASSICA is not only "Tribute to the Past" as before, but also "Tribute to the Future" - it connects yesterday - today - tomorrow - the new area has started!" Collectors' and enthusiasts' vehicles, model cars, art, automotive literature with new book presentations and autograph sessions, classic car services, spare parts and information about upcoming classic car events - there is nothing at SIHA's TECHNO-CLASSICA world fair that is not available - which is why enthusiasts are already looking forward to the 35th edition of TECHNO-CLASSICA Essen at the beginning of April 2025.