Techno Classica at Essen, 2019

The 1966 SLX design study was the precursor of a future Mercedes-Benz mid-engine supercar, that finally led to the C111 three years later.

Beside the SLX are presented here three iterations of the C111 with, from right to left, the 1969 model with a three-rotor Wankel engine, the 1970 C111-II with a four-rotor engine, and finally the C111-II D equipped in 1976 with a Turbodiesel in order to break some records in Nardo, Sicily to demonstrate the capacity of this technology.

The four-rotor engine of the 1970 C111-II was developing some 350 bhp and the car was capable of 300 kilometers per hour.

The 1978 C111-III was the next step. Again in Nardo, nine speed records were broken including the 500 kilometers distance at an average speed of 321,9 km/h.

The last version of the C111 was the 1979 C111-IV. Powered by a 4.8-litre V8, it went back to Nardo to push the record speed to 404 km/h.

Discovered in 2018 by Mercedes-Benz Classic, this unrestored 1954 300 SL Gullwing was put in storage in a garage in Florida in the early 60s.

Porsche was also celebrating an anniversary with the 914. Fifty years ago, the appearance of this mid-engine car in addition to the 911 was an important development for the future of the brand.

This Porsche 907 LH took part to the Le Mans 24 hours in 1967 with Jochen Rindt and Gerhard Mitter but was a DNF.

This special 1949 BMW 328 is known as the 328 ‘Cotura’ because it was built by Coos van der Tuyn and his team, COos van der TUyn RAcing Automobiles in Holland. It was later driven by Hans Hugenholtz, the designer of the Zandvoort racetrack.

Goliath was a German manufacturer, part of the Borgward group which specialized in three-wheeler cars, mid-size cars and commercial vehicles. Here is a nice example used in period by the German national airline company.

2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Citroën and you will hear about it all year long. The German Citroën club was showing the first model that started the story in 1919, just after WWI. The 10 HP Type A became the first mass production car in Europe, with 24,093 examples built between 1919 and 1921.

Some celebrations are also expected this year concerning the 110 years of Bugatti. One of the most mythical Bugattis is the ‘Aerolithe’, presented in 1935, which was the precursor of the Atlantic. As the original car has vanished, a German collector constructed the replica you see here in 2006. The roof and the color are not characteristic of the original ‘Aerolithe’.

Some great Delahayes were on show like this 135 MS bodied by Pourtout for the 1946 Paris Motor Show. The streamlined body styling was inspired by Georges Paulin’s pre-war designs. The car now resides in the Louwman Museum in the Netherlands.

A 1947 135M Delahaye with a cabriolet body by French coachbuilder Guilloré.

This striking 1949 Delahaye 135 MS with full wheel spats at all four corners is from Carrosserie Ghia Aigle, which was the Swiss subsidiary of the famous Italian coachbuilder. The car was first shown at the 1950 Geneva Salon.

At the 1953 Paris Salon, Chapron presented this interpretation of the 235 coupé which was to be the swansong of Delahaye. This car has survived in non-restored condition and won a prize in the ‘preservation’ class at Pebble Beach in 2008.

At the same Paris Salon, Talbot-Lago presented the T26 Grand Sport coupé which ironically played the same role in the history of the make as the 235 did in the history of Delahaye. No less than two automotive book authors owned this 1954 example, Alain Spitz and Peter Larsen.

Paris Salon, October 1953 again, French coachbuilder Pichon and Parat presented a new car based on the Panhard Dyna : the Dolomites. With its lightweight body, it was well-suited for amateur drivers. This example was delivered in May 1954 to the workshop of Pichon and Parat and made its first appearance at the Tour de France the same year.

In the mid-fifties, Facel Vega took the flag of the French luxury cars with the FV followed by the FV1 that you see here. A total of 33 FV1 were built, either in coupé or in cabriolet.

Techno Classica is not only about classic car dealers but also about clubs of all sorts. Here is the display of the ‘Fiat 600 Friends Germany’ club.

This Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GT is bodied by Touring using the Weymann body system. One of the advantages was lightness and it proved successful as this car took 1st in class at the 1933 Mille Miglia.

Touring was also responsible for the styling of this unique Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS delivered in 1943 to Switzerland.

Touring again did the job on this 1950 6C 2500 which is the only cabriolet built as a ‘Villa d’Este’ on the short SS chassis. The car was presented at the 1950 Turin Motor Show.

Here is another version of the 6C 2500, realized by Pinin Farina in 1950. It anticipates the design of the Lancia Aurelia B20 coupé.

The same weekend as Techno Classica, Formula One was celebrating its 1000th Grand Prix. At this occasion, Alfa Romeo rightly reminded that they won the very first Grand Prix back in 1950 (with the 158 ‘Alfetta’). Here is a 159 ‘Alfetta’ which is the last evolution of the 158 as Alfa Romeo withdrew from Grand Prix racing at the end of 1951.

The Ferrari 212 was a contemporary opponent of the Alfetta.

A duo of Ferrari 250s. At right, the 250 Europa S/N 0349 EU, 1954 Paris Salon show car, and at left, the 250 Europa GT, S/N 0391 GT.

This Ferrari 250 GTE # 4155 GT is presented as being the 1963 24 hours of Le Mans Marshal’s car. It has not been seen in public since.

The first Lamborghini 400 GT Spyder built by the factory. Two conversions were made in the 90s.

This Lancia Flaminia Zagato 3C has an extensive race history, entered many events from 1963 to 1966 including Sebring, Daytona, Targa Florio and Nassau, driven by Toly Arutunoff.

Period photo of car and team at the 1963 Targa Florio.

1948 Maserati 4 CLT wearing the Argentinian colors. It was driven in 1949 and 1950 by Campos and Gonzalez on many European circuits. But did Fangio drive this car?

This Maserati 300 S S/N 3057 was delivered in 1955 to Swiss independent driver Benoît Musy who raced it extensively in 1955 and 1956. After his death in another car at Montlhéry in 1957, the car continued to race on the African continent.

This 1960 Maserati Tipo 63 ‘Birdcage’ # 63010 is believed to be the 1961 24 hours of Le Mans Cunningham entry for Bruce McLaren and Walt Hansgen, although the history of 63010 is not that clear.

A very special, one of just four, Maserati 3500 GT, designed by Pietro Frua.

1953 Siata-Ford 208S Cabriolet Speciale Stabilimenti Farina. This one off Siata is believed to wear the last body made by Stabilimenti Farina. It was delivered new to Alfred Momo.

Looking for a car for the next Mille Miglia ? This 1955 Ermini 357 Sport Scaglietti spider is accepted for the 2019 edition. It wore number 602 at the 1955 Mille Miglia.

The 1951 Tarf II was the second record car designed by Italian racing driver and engineer Piero Taruffi. He broke many records with this car in Rome, Montlhéry and Monza.