19th edition of the Retro Classics in Stuttgart attracts more visitors.
The Retro Classics Show in Stuttgart is a show that shows up in the list of best classic car shows in Europe. Any classic car enthusiast should at least try to be at the Retro Classics for a day. A few weeks before the show, the Porsche factory announced they would celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 917 and Porsche 914 at the Retro Classics. The highlight of the Porsche factory stand would be the presence of Porsche 917-001 and a Porsche 910/8 Bergspyder. Reasons enough for us to take a flight to Stuttgart, immediately after our visit to the LA Lit and Toy Show.
During the press conference, the status of the Retro Classics was emphasized. The management of the show declared themselves as the best show in Germany. The connoisseur knows they were comparing themselves to Techno Classica in Essen of course. We all know these 2 shows are rivals, we can only hope the dates of the show won’t coincide ever again, as they did in the past. But enough about that, we were there to see classic cars. And we were not alone. Over 90.000 visitors made it to Stuttgart to visit the show and enjoy the 4000+ cars exposed on a surface of approximately 140 000 meters.
Porsche exhibition at the Retro Classics
Absolute eye-catcher at the Porsche exhibition in the show was the restored Porsche 917-001. The museum mechanics brought the car back to its original condition in 1969, at its world premiere. Kurt Ahrens and Hans Herrmann, 2 ex-factory drivers who used to race with similar Porsche 917s, joined the party to answer questions of the public. And of course there was quite a queue when both gentlemen started the signature session. Another extremely rare car at the Porsche stand was the 1967 Porsche 910/8 Bergspyder. Porsche won the European Hill Climb Championship with this car in 1967 and 1968. With a weight of 440 kg, the model is today a classic example of lightweight construction, where conventional materials have been replaced with titanium, magnesium, aluminum, and plastic.
Working as a mechanic on a Porsche 356 Gmünd
For regular visitors of the Porsche museum, the virtual reality booth Porsche showed at the Retro Classics was no surprise. All you have to do is place the 3D glasses on your head, and follow the instructions. That’s all that was needed to go back approximately 70 years in time. From one second to the other, you transformed yourself into a mechanic working on a Porsche 356 Gmünd. Grab the tools, take the parts you need and complete the body of the car, paint it, and install the engine. After a successful start of the engine, you fly back to today. Even though many may consider it a bit childish, the 3D and virtual reality world will definitely be a great tool to help educate future mechanics. And on top of that, augmented reality is already used in the quality insurance at the Leipzig plant.
Dozens and dozens of Porsche
Walking through the 10 giant halls of the Stuttgart Messe is a joy during the Retro Classics. Wherever you are, chances are huge you’ll spot a Porsche close to you. There were literally dozens and dozens of Porsche’s on display. Most of them for sale, some of them from private collections and just there to decorate a stand. We spent 2 days at the Retro Classics Show. And we could have spent easily a few more. It was a blast, and we hope to be back in 2020.
Picture Gallery of the Retro Classics 2019 in Stuttgart
Pictures by Vintage Race Photography and Carlos Ghys
