Our top picks from Techno-Classica Essen 2019

Highlights from Germany’s super-show

Essen’s Techno-Classica always presents a feast of automotive delights, with the continent’s top dealers and collectors bringing out their most treasured machines for the colossal indoor show.

This year was no different, with dozens of priceless machines from the archives of major manufacturers vying for attention with the very best vintage and classic cars currently for sale.

We paced the show halls to bring you our must-see motors from the 2019 edition. 

10. 1992 Porsche 968 Turbo S

This stunning 968 Turbo S is a real rarity, and even more special than you may think at first glance.
The car is the only existing prototype from Weissach and was later used as a press car for the 968 Sport programme. To top it all, it’s only had one owner since it left the factory.

9. 1969 Melkus RS1000

Perhaps one of the coolest cars to come from behind the Iron Curtain, the Melkus RS1000 was built for 10 years from 1969-1979 and was powered by a mid-mounted, three-cylinder, two-stroke engine.

This example is the very first made, but there were as many as half a dozen on the owner’s club stand. 

8. AC Aceca

Feel like you recognise the colour of this AC Aceca? With good reason – it’s the exact same shade as that used on Donald Campbell’s Bluebird circa 1954.

The speed record ace owned the car for two years and it’s now been fully restored to the same specification as during his ownership. 

7. 1978 Mini 1275GT

With the 60th anniversary celebrations about to kick off in earnest, 2019 is most definitely the year of the Mini. BMW marked the occasion by wheeling out Richard Longman’s 1978/79 British Saloon Car Championship 1275GT. 

6. Citroën DS ‘Fantomas’

Just when you thought the Citroën DS couldn’t get any more desirable, you stumble across one with jet engines and wings.

This car is a replica of a movie prop that was rumoured to have been slated for inclusion in the James Bond flick You Only Live Twice, but lost out to ‘Little Nellie’.

5. 1938 Siata Record Car

Italian coachbuilder Motto was responsible for the streamlined shape of this one-off Siata, which made a bid for the 500cc land speed record in 1938.

Beneath that sumptuous skin is a Topolino chassis, while it rode on unique Borrani wires.  

4. 1952 Lancia Aurelia B53 Coupé

Treasures lie around every corner at the Techno-Classica, so we shouldn’t have been surprised to see this stunning Aurelia Coupé drawing a sizeable crowd.

The one-off machine was built for the 1953 Torino Motor Show by Allemano, and was styled by Giovanni Michelotti. 

3. 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C Pinin Farina 

The Houtkamp Collection can always be relied upon to pull out all the stops, and this year’s offering was one of its strongest yet.

The Dutch firm brought several classics to the show including a very tidy Austin-Healey and ex-Mille Miglia Storica Healey Elliott – but star for many was this one-of-a-kind Alfa Romeo.

2. 1965 Ferrari 275GTB Berlinetta Scaglietti 

It’s difficult to beat a Ferrari, especially one as beautiful as the 275GTB.

This particular example, star of the Axel Schuette stand, was campaigned extensively in period before languishing for decades in an Illinois garage. Thankfully, it found a passionate owner, who undertook a top-class restoration.

1. 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Touring Berlinetta Aerodynamica

Our standout car of the show had been put on display for the first time in decades.

An early example of Touring’s work, this remarkable Alfa Romeo 6C came 17th overall and first in class in the 1933 Mille Miglia.

Incredibly original, popping the spare wheel cover revealed a wire shod with the same Pirelli Corsa tyre as those fitted during that famous race.