Techno Classica anyone?
Discussion
I've been twice, the last time in 2005. It's always very much worth the effort and I'm a bit peeved I probably won't be able to make it this year. The only problem with Techno Classica is that it's so HUGE. Nineteen exhibition halls full of the most wonderful classics really need more than one day to properly take in.
Been going for years. If you,ve never been before it will blow your mind. makes anything at the NEC seem like a village fete. Cheap to get in, good food, good beer, cars you will never have seen anywhere else, quality and quantity in one place. 1,000,000+ square feet of exhibition halls. Take a good pair of walking shoes and you will still end up with sore feet. Cheap flights to Dusseldorf even at this late date and about 20 minutes by taxi. We are going to the Mercedes Museum after on saturday. Steve
www.mvconline.de/technoclassica/
I went on 2001.
Excellent, I keep meaning to go again but something always gets in the way.
I went on 2001.
Excellent, I keep meaning to go again but something always gets in the way.
The good news (fingers crossed) is that it is scheduled for April 7 - 11th this year, 2021 that is: http://www.siha.de/tce_uk.php?m=1&ms=1
Edited by Riley Blue on Wednesday 3rd February 17:15
Techno Classica Essen used to be absolutely terrific because there was a balance between car club displays, automobilia, restoration, cars for sale, trade stands etc. The last couple of times I've been (since about 2015) it was just one giant marketplace for selling classic cars-both private and trade sales. Hardly anything else. It's still enormous but I prefer NEC any day for its wide range, and probably won't go back to Essen, which is a shame as I've been about 10 times and have good memories.
alfabristol said:
Techno Classica Essen used to be absolutely terrific because there was a balance between car club displays, automobilia, restoration, cars for sale, trade stands etc. The last couple of times I've been (since about 2015) it was just one giant marketplace for selling classic cars-both private and trade sales. Hardly anything else. It's still enormous but I prefer NEC any day for its wide range, and probably won't go back to Essen, which is a shame as I've been about 10 times and have good memories.
I've just been checking my photo archive and it was 2015 when I last went. I thought there was loads of stuff that wasn't car sales: books, models, paintings, spares, clothing, accessories, mascots, tools, luggage and so on. There was a couple of halls of club displays, manufacturers' heritage collections, a world-class concours competition. I've never been disappointed.I went to this show around ten years ago. It was fantastic, a lot to take in for a single day visit so you need to be a bit selective where you spend your time. I was a keen collector of Lotus scale models at the time, the choice was amazing and reasonably priced from memory. I intend going next year with my same mate when things will surely be back to normal. I'm a bit surprised it's going ahead this year, if you're going you'll enjoy it.
I went a couple of years ago and it was awesome. Had planned on going this year but unless the rules regarding travel, quarantine, isolating, testing etc change significantly, I will give it a miss. Also, be worth checking what the restrictions are in Germany nearer the time. I wouldn't want to go if the bars, restaurants etc are shut. If you do go, I'd recommend checking out Classic Remise in Dusseldorf, again, if it's open.
I went around 5 years ago and was all set to go last year too until covid happened. It's a big show requiring 2 or 3 days to see it all at a leisurely pace, but i loved it. I stayed in Essen, which has a pleasant enough city centre with plenty of cafe / bars and restaurants etc. I'll be back again one day. 
9xxNick said:
For those who've been, did you fly or get a ferry (Hook of Holland?) and drive down? Any views on either approach welcomed.
I've always driven using the Dover - Dunkerque ferry then via Antwerp - Venlo (where I had a friend who owned a hotel so I'd sometimes stay there, sometimes in Essen or Bochum. There is (or used to be) a model shop just outside Antwerp that was worth a visit, a decent services near Sevenum for lunch and I'd do some supermarket shopping in Venlo on the return trip with fish 'n' chips for breakfast or supper on the ferry each way. I've forgotten how many times, probably 20+.We flew from Leeds/Bradford to Düsseldorf. Short taxi ride to our hotel in Essen then taxi to the show next morning and back to the airport afterwards. I would have liked an extra day but my boss had to be back in UK for business stuff. He insisted on paying for everything so I was very grateful!
Forgot to add, Retromobile Paris is another great event, usually February but put back to June this year.
Forgot to add, Retromobile Paris is another great event, usually February but put back to June this year.
Edited by Nyloc20 on Friday 12th February 17:58
I flew into Düsseldorf from Birmingham and stayed near the main train station in Düsseldorf. From what I remember it was about 30 mins on the train to Essen. I particularly wanted to stay in Düsseldorf due to what I’d heard about the Alt Bier bars and, as previously mentioned, to visit Remise. Düsseldorf was awesome, I’d go back for a long weekend, regardless of whether Essen is on or not. Oh, and Retromobile is also on my list for a visit (as is The Race of Gentlemen).
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