• Hi Guest !

    Welcome to the 500Eboard forum.

    Since its founding in late 2008, 500Eboard has become the leading resource on the Internet for all things related to the Mercedes-Benz 500E and E500. In recent years, we have also expanded to include the 400E and E420 models, which are directly related to the 500E/E500.

    We invite you to browse and take advantage of the information and resources here on the site. If you find helpful information, please register for full membership, and you'll find even more resources available. Feel free to ask questions, and make liberal use of the "Search" function to find answers.

    We hope you will become an active contributor to the community!

    Sincerely,
    500Eboard Management

Re: Techno Classica Essen 2026

chicky

E500E Guru
Member
Gentlemen,

It seems that this year's event will be the last for this car show :cry:, pity that this happened, as I did like the seeing the MBs' at Hall 1 where most of them are.

... but sadly, the show has turned into more like "a FOR SALE used car lot" the last few years.

Regards
 
Let’s not overcomplicate things:


The last Techno Classica show in Essen took place in 2025. From now on, the Techno Classica brand moves to Dortmund, with the next edition scheduled for September 2026.


In April, however, there will be a show in Essen under a new team — Retro Classics (April 8–12, 2026), organised by the same people behind Retro Classics Stuttgart and Retro Classics Bavaria in Nürnberg.


I do hope the new team refreshes the atmosphere of the Essen show, shifting the focus away from rather mothballed high-end Oldtimer displays towards more vibrant Youngtimers (and more friendly in communication younger market players). Let’s see.
 
Last edited:
I haven't been to the classic "Techno-Classica" in Essen since probably 2003, but man, what a show it was back in the day.

It looks like I will be in Germany that exact weekend this fall, so there's a decent chance I could bomb up to Dortmund from Munich to visit the show for a day. Will require some careful planning....

I agree that back in the day, the "cars for sale" area was definitely much more of a side-show outside, than a main focus of the expo.
 
Essen Techno Classica:
On the first visit, it was absolutely mind-blowing.
By the third, I was already thinking of bringing friends along — seeing roughly the same things on your own starts to feel a bit repetitive.
By the tenth, the thought inevitably creeps in: “Why did I come here again?”


I don’t want to spoil anyone’s fond nostalgic memories, but personally, Mecum Kissimmee event impressed me even more — mainly because of the chance to see and actually touch real, living oldtimers and youngtimers, rather than something almost sacred and museum-like.
 
Let’s not overcomplicate things:


The last Techno Classica show in Essen took place in 2025. From now on, the Techno Classica brand moves to Dortmund, with the next edition scheduled for September 2026.


In April, however, there will be a show in Essen under a new team — Retro Classics (April 8–12, 2026), organised by the same people behind Retro Classics Stuttgart and Retro Classics Bavaria in Nürnberg.


I do hope the new team refreshes the atmosphere of the Essen show, shifting the focus away from rather mothballed high-end Oldtimer displays towards more vibrant Youngtimers (and more friendly in communication younger market players). Let’s see.
Hi FD :)

... sorry, my bad :confused:
 
I haven't been to the classic "Techno-Classica" in Essen since probably 2003, but man, what a show it was back in the day.

It looks like I will be in Germany that exact weekend this fall, so there's a decent chance I could bomb up to Dortmund from Munich to visit the show for a day. Will require some careful planning....

I agree that back in the day, the "cars for sale" area was definitely much more of a side-show outside, than a main focus of the expo.
Hi Gerry :)

I hope your not planning on taking train rides to get to Dortmund from Munich as I had a bad experience taking a supposedly an express train ride from Essen to Stuttgart ... the trains had mechanical trouble in the middle of the trip ... which turned out to a nearly the whole morning till late afternoon to get to Stuttgart ... my fellow passengers even commented that the German train system is not as "efficient" as before :(.

Best regards
 
Hi Gerry :)

I hope your not planning on taking train rides to get to Dortmund from Munich as I had a bad experience taking a supposedly an express train ride from Essen to Stuttgart ... the trains had mechanical trouble in the middle of the trip ... which turned out to a nearly the whole morning till late afternoon to get to Stuttgart ... my fellow passengers even commented that the German train system is not as "efficient" as before :(.

Best regards
I only drive in Germany.

But, if I did take the train, I would definitely go this way:

 

Who has watched this thread (Total: 1) View details

Back
Top