20th Techno-Classica Essen Sets Record
Anniversary Fair with Record Result: 165,800 Classic Cars
Enthusiasts Visited the Global Meeting Place of the Classics
Scene
The International Trade in Classic Vehicles is Booming
The world's largest vintages and classics fair ended with a record
result: 165,800 visitors showed their enthusiasm for the noble
range on offer at the 20th Techno-Classica Essen which, in the
anniversary year, was able to further consolidate its leading
international position. Not only did the number of visitors reach
the highest level in the history of the premier fair but more sales
transactions than ever before were also concluded. Over 50
percent of the total of 2,500 available vehicles were already sold
at the fair. Furthermore, on the basis of the intensive discussions
with customers, the exhibitors are expecting brisk post-fair
business.
"The economic trend for vintages and classic automobiles is
booming," Anton Leon Franssen from the Techno-Classica
organiser S.I.H.A. made an initial assessment at the end of the
fair. "Techno-Classica 2008 has evidently confirmed: It is the best
venue for the trade in historic automobiles anywhere in the world."
The fact that Techno-Classica is the most important meeting
place of the international classics scene was also emphasised by
Horst Brüning, President of the World Classic Car Association
(FIVA: Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens): "Here is
the global fair of the clubs, the trade in classics, the industry and
the restorers." According to Brüning, he finds a lot of the
information which is important for his political work in one place in
Essen: "Techno-Classica inspires me."
Global Trading Centre: More Guests from Abroad
While the internationality of the world automobile exhibition had
already reached a new highest level on the supplier side with over
1,000 exhibitors from 26 nations, the proportion of foreign visitors
increased substantially once again this year. The fair registered
more guests from the European countries. However, there was,
above all, a rise in the number of affluent automobile enthusiasts
from North and South America as well as from the Asian region
who were stalking first-class vintages in an absolutely selective
way in Essen. For example, not only "medium-size" vehicles,
affordable "beginners' models" and cult youngtimers from the 70s
and 80s but also a conspicuously large number of vehicles
precisely in the high-price range found new owners this year.
Top Objects Achieve Top Prices
The legendary Mercedes 300 SL proved to be an absolute hit. In total,
more than 20 units of this noble sports car built in the 50s and 60s
were sold - at prices between Euro 380,000 and Euro 690,000. A
Ferrari California Spider from the 60s achieved a top price of Euro 1.5
million (sooooorry, we have not seen a Cal Spyder at the fair ... this
must be a "fairy tale". A Bugatti 57 Atalante from the 30s was worth
Euro 695,000 to one fan. A Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, manufactured in
1914, yielded Euro 840,000 and an elegant Delage D 8 cabrio from
1931 no less than Euro 525,000. A Porsche 908 which caused a
sensation on the racetracks at the end of the 60s changed hands for
Euro 610,000. A BMW 507 roadster which is regarded as a design
icon of automobile construction and was produced only 252 times as
from 1955 went to one purchaser for Euro 580,000 (in need of a
complete restoration).
Automobile Industry: Historic Displays Build Bridge to the
Modern
All the large German and European automobile manufacturers
designed their extended presentations in an exciting, entertaining,
informative and likable way and introduced their history, their
traditions, their technical achievements, particularly distinctive
vehicle developments from the company history as well as
prestige and premium automobiles. In many cases, the
anniversaries of pioneering vehicle premieres were the inspiration
for the historic displays of the automobile manufacturers which
used them as an instrument for sharpening their own brand profile
and built a bridge to the modern and to the vehicles from current
production.
Largest Club Meeting Place in the World
This year as well, the around 220 clubs which aroused nostalgic
feelings on their lovingly designed booths and made
Techno-Classia the world's largest club meeting place once again
contributed to the unique flair of the "largest automobile museum
in the world". This year's winners of the "Club Grand Prix", the
competition for the most original and most beautiful club fair
booth, were the Trabi clubs called "De Trabi Frönde Niederrhein"
(Willich) and "diepappenheimer" (Osnabrück) with their
cooperative booth.
Very Good Economic Trend for Restoration Sector and
Spare Parts Trade
For the most internationally renowned expert restoration
businesses which, thanks to the buoyant economic trend in the
vintages segment, can be pleased about an excellent order
situation, Techno-Classica offered the platform for the largest
German services show of this special sector. For everybody
searching for parts, tools or accessories, Techno- Classica
proved to be a true treasure-trove: Around 300 suppliers offered
original spare parts and replicas - and made the fair the largest
spare parts warehouse in Germany.
Praise for Special Shows and "Special Events"
A lot of praise was heaped on the special shows, e.g. on the
subjects of "Giants of the Road", "Historic Motor Sport",
"Classics on Two Wheels", "Model Car Exchange" or "American
Car Scene". The range on offer at the world's largest classics fair
was rounded off by the "Book Fair for Automobile Literature", the
"Treasure Vault for Automobilia and Automobile Art", the
"Techno-Collecta" with exquisite lifestyle products for everything
to do with the vintages hobby as well as the watches fair entitled
"Euro Time" with a selection of stylish mechanical chronometers.
21st Techno-Classica on April 1 - 5, 2010
In April 2010, Messe Essen will once again be the global meeting
place of the classics sector and of the vintages fans. The 21st
Techno-Classica Essen will take place on April 1-5 of the coming
year.
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