Factory stages bring a lot of flair to classic car shows, with the best-kept secrets from the vaults of factory museums, and eye candy concept cars. These stages unite the professionalism of an international car show and museum treasures with reinforcements from car clubs.
The Retro Classics 2020 featured only two real factory stages, from two Swabian brands. Mercedes and Porsche are among those few marques that often attend classic car shows, and the Retro Classics is no exception.
Also, the two birthday boys, the 100 years old Mazda and the 110 years old Alfa Romeo were greeted by stages, that did not rely upon that much help from the factory HQs. Ford ensured a rather minimal presence, albeit with a show factor. In contrast, BMW relied primarily on the contribution of car clubs.
Mercedes illustrates the evolution of motoring of 115 years.
Mercedes prepared its factory stage in Hall 1, covering more than 500 square metres. The design followed the styling of the 2019 Techno Classica stage, albeit on a smaller scale. The central theme aimed to show the evolution of motoring for over 110 years, from a 1903 Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp to the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA electric show car.
The Mercedes-Simplex models were produced from 1902 onwards, as the direct successors of the Mercedes 35 hp, one of the world’s first modern cars, already quite an evolution to the three-wheeler one- cylinder Patentwagen.
Similarly to Essen 2019, Mercedes paired the white simplex with a car of the near future. Jumping some 115 years, they showcased the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA Concept. The EQA is a concept car that was unveiled at the 2017 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt (even if the AMG Project One stole the show back then).
The third car was a blue 300 SL Roadster (W 198) from 1960 in top condition after one and a half years of factory restoration. The 300 SL Roadster replaced the 300 SL Gullwing with its characteristic top-hinged doors in 1957 and was built until 1963.
Today, this open-top sports car is one of the most sought-after classics of the brand with the star. This not a bold statement, it is enough to have a look at the three Rétromobile Auctions.
The Swabian brand was also exhibiting the world’s first car: an authentic replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886.
The vehicle was accompanied by one of the nicest and most knowledgeable hostess, a lady dressed in period-conform early 20th-century elegance, but also equipped with the best stories about the cars.
The other side of the stage was arranged to attract aficionados of Mercedes-Benz classics with a distinct selection of classics. These included an exquisite 220 SE “Ponton” Cabriolet (W 128) from 1960 and a 280 SL “Pagoda” (W 113). The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet with papyrus white paintwork came from a famous previous owner.
Fans of young and recent classics were quite well served with a Mercedes-Benz 230 C Coupé (C 123) from 1980 and a 300 SL (R 129) from 1993.
This latter is a personal favourite of mine and a hot candidate for a stylish entry into the world of future classics.
Another favourite of mine, already slated to be a future classic was the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Roadster Final Edition.
The factory stage was reinforced by Mercedes specialists, collectors and car clubs. They were presenting specimen like a Pullman limo, the Merc SLR’s single-seater special dedicated to Sterling Moss, or a bunch of Gullwings.
While the Mercedes section occupied a considerable part of the largest Hall, Hall 10 in the Opposite side of the show hosted a high number of Mercedes vehicles showcased by specialists or proud owners.
These cars included a wide range of multi-purpose G-class cars (a model that also celebrated its birthday), and even a seemingly hopeless project car Pagoda SL, for those who really like challenges…
Porsche presented milestones of 120 years of electromobility and 70 years of sports cars.
The most striking thematic of the Porsche stage was electrification. Even more so, than the show delivered a month earlier at Rétromoible Paris.
The journey through time started with a Lohner-Porsche “Semper Vivus, which was the world’s first fully functional hybrid vehicle.
Next up in the timeline was a Cayenne development vehicle with hybrid drivetrain (and a transparent bodywork).
The 918 Spyder brings hybrid technology even further, finishing with the recently unveiled Taycan Turbo S electric sports sedan.
Last year the classic car world threw the loudest party for the 70th birthday of the Porsche Car Company. Actually, the story of Porsche begins 120 years ago as an electric car. Ferdinand Porsche built the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus in 1901.
The detailed replica of this world’s first fully functional hybrid vehicle presented at Retro Classics provides a striking background to the current petrol-electric powered Porsches.
Porsche already tested a hybrid drive with the unique Cayenne on display in 2007. The car is prepared explicitly with the hybrid drivetrain and the cabling visible through plastic panes.
The sports car manufacturer was also exhibiting two of the most important vehicles in the brand’s modern history. These include the first Porsche ever built, the 356 “No. 1 “Roadster, as well as the oldest 911 owned by the museum, still built as Type 901 with the production number 57.
The backbone of any classic car show consists of 911s, the show in Porsche’s heartland is no exception. There are hundreds of Porsches scattered throughout the show, but the highest concentration is arguably in Hall 1.
Alfa Romeo’s 110th anniversary is honoured by legends and record-breakers
Alfa Romeo’s 110th anniversary is becoming a golden class thematic of the classic car world this year. Major car shows and museums join the celebration with dedicated exhibitions. Retro Classics is no exception, in Hall 7, fans were served a spectacular set of vehicles to honour the brand’s 110-year history.
The star of the stage is the Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Aerodinamica Spider from the 1930s, courtesy of Technik Museum Sinsheim, from its current temporary exhibition (more on that in a few weeks time).
The German Alfaclub celebrated Alfa Romeo’s 110th birthday with lovingly cared classics, including the eight-cylinder coupe Alfa Romeo Montreal and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, Pininfarina’s masterpiece.
One of the first Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Specials was also made available by a private collector. The extremely rare coupé from 1959 is one of only 101 homologation models built for motorsport, with the low nose configuration.
The Alfa Romeo HQ brought three vehicles to Stuttgart that each claimed the lap records on the Nordschleife, the famous complete lap of the Nürburgring, in their own category.
In fact, a track-spec version of each model, the Alfa Romeo 4C, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio took on the world’s most challenging racetrack, to prove faster than their direct competitors in their respective vehicle segment.
The Stelvio with its signature painting and duct-taped headlights has been touring car shows for a while, I recall its appearance at the FCA Heritage stage at the Techno Classica 2017.
Mazda’s 100th-anniversary celebrations kickstarted in Stuttgart.
Mazda was represented at the Retro Classics by a German Mazda Museum. The Automobil Museum Frey is a private collection, run by a local German Mazda dealer, Mr Walter Frey.
However, it is still able to leave a lasting impression (as their presence in Stuttgart), despite the absence of factory support.
They are also gearing up for the anniversary year, and the Museum is gearing up to lead the celebrations in Europe, and this stage certainly raised my expectations.
BMW dished up the club sandwich
BMW did not prepare a show comparable to the other two brands, their presence was mainly ensured by owners and car clubs.
Ford showed up a new GT
Ford built up an excellent stage around a brand new GT, the iconic hypercar whose reputation was further built by the Hollywood movie about the great competition between Ford and Ferrari.
For more information and links to all the show-related reports on Retro Classics, please visit:
FOR AN OVERVIEW OF EVENTS, CHECK OUT MY ULTIMATE AUTOMOTIVE EVENTS CALENDAR:
The ultimate automotive events calendar 2020 – The Coronavirus update
