Techno Classica brings mixed feelings

Techno Classica in Essen was the first big classic car show in Germany since the covid-crisis started. We saw plenty of race cars but also some issues that need to be addressed.

What a contrast. Just one week after a very promising Retromobile in Paris, the situation was very different in Essen, where Techno Classica was relaunching.

No German constructors present

Just as with Retromobile, it was clear from the beginning that this year’s edition of Techno Classica would be a bit of a trial, slowly trying to get the show going again. But when the big German constructors decided to give Techno Classica a miss, they in fact decapitated the event. If we compare it to Paris, Essen missed the show component Porsche, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Audi and to a lesser extent BMW supply, with lavish stands and some special cars from their respective collections and museums on display.

Mistake

Without these, the Techno Classica organizers did what they could to fill the halls, but it was clear something was missing. The fault here lies not with the organizers, but with the brands. It is clear heritage is not high on the agenda with the German brands at this moment. All efforts go towards the sale of electric vehicles. But not emphasizing the rich history of your brand is a clear mistake. These brands are some of the oldest and always have a story to tell. Their history is an essential part of their identity. Letting the chance slip to communicate about this, is a mistake.

Less people

The first days of Techno Classica also made clear that the German public is still more wary of coming to big events than the French public. It made for a more sedate and calm edition of Techno Classica. All the more time to admire the cars that the dealers brought. Even in what was not the best edition of Techno Classica ever, there were some real motorsport beauties to be discovered.

Maseratis

We really appreciated the efforts of the German Maserati club. On their stand, a Maserati 300 S, a Barchetta and an MC20. That’s a lot of eye candy on just a couple of square metres. Formula 1s were popular, with a former Nigel Mansel JPS Lotus Renault, an ex-Mika Häkkinen McLaren Peugeot and McLaren Mercedes’ from the Mika Häkkinen – David Coulthard era.

But one of the most striking cars on display was undoubtedly the 1949 Maserati 4CLT in which Juan Manuel Fangio made his debut in Europe. The car carried the national colours of Argentina.