From 23 to 25 October, the first edition of the CLASSICSNL classic exhibition took place at the WTC Expo in Leeuwarden. The exhibition organization had announced in advance that it would strive for a good balance between exclusivity and sobriety. After a three-day tour, only one conclusion is justified: this scholarship tastes like more. The 4.685 visitors will undoubtedly have the same opinion. That will also apply to the more than 80 participants who brought a balanced and attractive range of scholarships to Leeuwarden.
There was a varied collection of motorized heritage. And there were numerous industry-oriented organizations such as the KNAC, the maintenance companies, the insurance companies and the appraisers. Auto Motor Klassiek was of course present with a busy stand. Furthermore, the visitors could supplement their miniature or book collection. The people involved came to Leeuwarden - on whatever level - to their liking. There was a delegation who visited the fair for purely nostalgic reasons. Or simply out of curiosity without further buying motive. "But," says exhibition manager Pieter Fokkema, "there was also clearly a group of visitors who came to CLASSICSNL in a very focused way to orientate themselves to a classic or young timer. From a business perspective, these were good days. Beautiful cars have been sold. Traders have also regularly made follow-up agreements with candidates. That is positive, especially for a debut fair. "
Richly varied selection and beautiful theme squares
The fact that the people involved saw their expectations fulfilled was mainly due to the richly varied range of classic items in Leeuwarden. Respected and regularly unique classics from different countries of origin were present in larger or smaller numbers and in different price ranges. They were flanked by beautiful classics in private ownership. Another attraction was the original theme squares. "The Barn" was one of the topics. The organization in the Saksenhal, for example, had furnished a French and German barn in lifelike form - with patina classics. Also the theme square "Vive La France" with beautiful historical material (Peugeot 202 Tow Truck, a beautiful one Citroën 2CV AZU, a Renault Relay) were controversial. The enthusiast of pre-war American material was able to marvel at formidable Americans from the 1920s in the Frankenhal, grouped on the beautiful theme square “Back to the Twenties.
Sublime main theme
The main theme square was dominated by the 60 anniversary of the Citroën DS. Six formidable goddesses surrounded a DS of the first series. The latter was exhibited on a rotating platform, bearing in mind the introduction from 1955. It simply looked impressive. The Citroën ID / DS club can be proud of what they achieved together with the exhibition organization. For three days a pleasant kind of optimism and enthusiasm prevailed in Leeuwarden. There was a professional atmosphere, in which the participants in particular could enjoy relationship management and network expansion in a pleasant way.
"The stock market stands"
Pieter Fokkema is in any case satisfied with the debut. “We are loose. The stock market stands. We have received many positive responses and media attention. And I think we have succeeded in achieving our objective in a broad sense. The starting point for next year is excellent! ”
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