Techno Classica Essen

Well maybe they're not in Australia and for sure not with new cars but I've just spent a couple of days at Techno Classica in Essen – in Germany – at what is billed as the world's largest classic car show and I wasn't disappointed.

I came last year for a quick look and decided I would return. I put aside two days for a better glimpse at the world of classic cars; now I'm thinking I should have allowed for three! What surprises me is the size of the place and the hundreds of cars and thousands of people, close to 200,000 visitors in fact!

Now in its 26th year, Techno Classica has had plenty of years to make its mark. Absorbing 20 halls and showing the wares of more than 1250 exhibitors, the classic show for motor nuts is a mecca for all things mechanical.

The big manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and VW bring along the cream of their collections for a bit of brand building and chest beating. Nothing like pushing your heritage to leverage an extra dollar from the driver who can't decide between a new S Class or a 7 Series, and boy they do it well.

Mercedes had no fewer than 13 old F1 cars "racked up" on display and a host of Touring, GT and DTM classics. Three CLK-GTR's parked together still look mighty impressive, although they are now well past their use-by date.

But for me the pick of the bunch was the 450SLC Bandama Rally winning Benz, preserved in all its glory exactly as Hannu Mikkola crossed the ramp on the '76 event in the Ivory Coast. It was parked next to another famous 280E driven to victory by Andrew Cowan on the 1977 London to Sydney Marathon.

The Bavarians showed their dominance of the world touring car scene with a line up of Schnitzer-prepared racers and Mini had both this year's Dakar winner and the actual 1964 Monte Winner driven by Paddy Hopkirk.

But it was not just a show for the big end of town. Restoration companies, parts dealers, the international auction houses and used car brokers were all out to show their wares and I wasn't disappointed.

A lovely Ford GT40 once owned by Australia's own Rob Sherrard for more than a decade was back on the market again.

Within an hour of the show opening, one lucky punter had already snapped up a "brand new" 1986 Peugeot 205 T16 road car with only 175km on the clock for a reported €175,000 – now that's a bargain.

The Opel Manta 400 Group B for sale at €85,000 belonged to Walter Rohrl's hairdresser and the Martini Lancia Delta Integrale 16V was driven by Yves Loubet – an Indonesian gentleman seemed intent on taking it home.

Sorry, I might have overlooked to mention, it's not your usual motor show. More than 80% of the cars on display are for sale and for a few bucks, the locals can bring their own classic along and try to sell it in one of four open air lots.

Way too much to talk about in a few lines, just take my advice and make it your business to get over for a look and you'll see what I'm talking about.