For almost 20 years, Retro Classics has provided a fantastic hub for classic cars fans, not only from southern Germany, but all over the world. And this week, it’s all happening again, with the 19th outing for the event taking place across eight jam-packed halls of the Messe Stuttgart from Thursday March 7 to Sunday March 10.
For the uninitiated, this is a massive event. It’s billed as the world’s largest classic car trade fair, and last year played host to 90,000 visitors, 4000 vehicles and 1600 exhibitors. What’s more, it looks set to be even bigger and better for 2019, with a whopping total area of 140,000 square metres.
As you might expect for a Stuttgart-based event, local heroes Porsche and Mercedes-Benz will be well represented. Hall 1 will be entirely dedicated to Porsche, with dealers, clubs and a display by the Porsche Museum. The new Paul Horn Hall (Hall 10), meanwhile, will be the presentation platform for Mercedes-Benz. But they don’t have it all their own way, as for the first time, Hall 4 will pay tribute to Bavarian giant BMW. The vehicles on display will feature some fantastic motorsport icons from the company’s illustrious past, including the Stösser BMW KR6 compressor car of 1934 and the 1999 Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR.
International brands will be well covered too. Fans of American cars can flock to Hall 5, while Hall 7 is given over to Italian vehicles. You’ll also find motorcycles, commercials and agricultural machinery in Hall 8, with a special Neo Classics display for rare cars built up to 20 years ago making a return to Hall 5 after a successful debut last year.
Elsewhere, you’ll find an expanded cars for sale section, a special exhibition of motorcycles and sidecars, celebrity guests at Thursday’s ‘Retro Night’, and much more.
Unlike our trip to Retromobile last month, when we journeyed to Paris in our Renault 21, we’re opting to fly to this one. After all, the venue is a mere five minute walk from Stuttgart Airport and hotels are situated close by. The show is open from 11:00 to 19:00 on Thursday, and from 9:00 to 18:00 Friday to Sunday. See www.retro-classics.de.
