Impressions of the Stuttgart Retro Classics

March 12, 2025 Tim Havermans Museum, Retro Classics

The 24th edition of Retro Classics in Stuttgart was once again one size larger than last year,but did not yet reach the pre Covid dimensions. Halls 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 as well as the atrium and the aisles around it were used, making up a total area of around 90,000 square meters. Over 600 exhibitors displayed a total of over 2200 vehicles. 77,000 visitors responded to the call of the classic car fair to experience driving culture in Stuttgart, the home town of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

Anniversary celebrations at Porsche

Porsche Heritage welcomed people to Hall 1 with three anniversaries. The celebrations included 25 years of the Porsche Carrera GT, 40 years of the Porsche 959 and 60 years of the Porsche 911 Targa, as we reported in our preview of the Stuttgart Retro Classics.
Naturally, there was a corresponding exhibit to mark all these anniversaries.

But perhaps even more exciting was the Porsche LMP 2000, which was first built in Zuffenhausen in 1998 with the aim of achieving another overall victory in 2000. The engine used was the V10 that had once been developed for Formula 1 and the chassis was made of carbon fiber. The 700 hp racing car weighed 882 kg when it completed its laps in Weissach during the first test in November 1999.

The computers had predicted a lap time of 3:33 for Le Mans, but this never materialized. Porsche stopped the project as it became apparent that there would be little participation in 2000 and as the new Cayenne type tied up development resources. One prototype remained, while the civilized version of the engine found its way into the Carrera GT. Just some months ago, Porsche dug up the car from its secret garage, made it ready to drive and Alan McNish took the wheel of the car just as he did years ago at the track of the Weissach development center.

#RARE.SPHERE

At Rare.Sphere, meanwhile, rare Porsche 911 models were staged on pedestals, from the Carrera RSR Turbo to the “Desert Fox”. A special model was presented on the theme of 60 years of Pepita. RARE.SPHERE calls itself “The habitat for automotive enthusiasts’ There are these special vehicles that you not only see, but also
feel. And there are many young people who share this passion for such pieces of jewellery in communities with a wide media reach. As a result, some models are taking social networks by storm.

#RARE.SPHERE focuses precisely on these cars. The communities use social networks to determine what is trendy, which model they loveand which manufacturer they appreciate. These vehicles represent the spirit of the times and the tastes of the younger generation. RARE.SPHERE brings this together and creates platforms for real encounters. The link to Porsche isn’t far away, as renowned author Thobias Aichele and his daughter Chiara are both founding members of #RARE.SPHERE.

More anniversaries and highlights at Retro Classics

The Opel Clubs celebrated 50 years of the Manta B Over a dozen variants were on display, including rally versions, production cars, tuning versions and conversions. The star of the special show was, of course, the car from the movie “Manta, Manta”. BMW entrusted the prestigious anniversary celebrations for 70 years of the BMW 507 to the “BMW Club Mobile Classic”.

Just as last year, a huge Citroen DS exhibition could be admired, aswel as a select and exquice collection of British Cars, well presented by some British Car Clubs.