Sitting behind the wheel of an Oldsmobile 1903 is Oliver Krischer, North Rhine-Westphalia's minister for the environment, nature conservation and transportation. In his speech, the Green Party politician was remarkably positive about the historic vehicle movement. Alongside is FIVA President Tiddo Bresters and Mr. Michel Franssen with the FIVA Certificate awarded to him.
Starting from humble origins in 1989, , the Techno Classica in Essen, in the German Ruhr area, grew into a household name. It was one of the first international classic car fairs, and gradually it became so big that it could rightfully be called the largest oldtimer show on earth. As in previous years, FIVA President Tiddo Bresters had the honour of opening the fair. However, this 35th edition was a special one, as it marked what was to be the last Techno Classica to be rolled out in Essen by organiser Michel Franssen and his company S.I.H.A.. The fair had been created by Michel Franssen's father, and for 35 years S.I.H.A. held an event that attracted an average of 150,000 to 200,000 visitors every year. In his speech, Bresters jokingly called the Techno Classica ‘the mother of all international oldltimer fairs’. He then proceeded to present Michel Franssen with an official certificate on behalf of FIVA, recognizing him and the S.I.H.A. for their pioneering work. The 35th edition excelled with a huge variety of historic cars (and some motorbikes). For the following year, though there will continue to be another classic vehicle fair in Essen, but it will then be held under the name RetroClassics, under the direction of the Retro Messen company. The Techno Classica will probably relocate to another venue in the western areas of Germany.
Text and pictures by Tiddo Bresters