For the second time in a row, Frank Ruge and his team were forced to keep the Bremen Classic Motor Show online. Reason known: the corona pandemic. The 2021 edition lasted no less than five hours, and to keep online visitors on their toes, the producers shortened the digital show to two-and-a-half hours. That was long enough to make the twentieth edition of the event an entertaining presentation.
Of course Frank Ruge and his people had envisioned the celebration of the XNUMXth edition differently. In any case, it is commendable that they chose to come up with an alternative to the stock exchange, and not to postpone it. Just like last year, the presentation was again held at the beginning of February. And that time has been a fixed value for twenty editions. So the organization did not deviate from that. Fixed values in Bremen will not be pushed aside by the pandemic either.
Lots of mini documentaries
The 2022 Bremen Classic Motor Show was therefore presented online on February 5, 2022. A lot of beautiful things passed by, there was room for background stories and there were young classics specially selected by Tüv-Süd (such as the Alfa Romeo 75 V6 and the beautiful one Citroën DS 20). These topics were accompanied by other fixed themes. They were all captured in mini-documentaries. which in turn were components of the online program.
Common thread in show: endangered everyday classics
De common thread of the show was new. This consisted of the (from a German perspective) endangered everyday classics. AutoBild journalist Christian Steiger presented this in a triptych. For example, there were the Alfa Romeo Alfasud (100% original), a jewel of a Peugeot 504 Ti and the Fiat 1500 in front. They were (at least for the undersigned) the highlights of this part of the programme. That also resulted in the two most popular cars of the show (Spirit of the Show). The Opel Rekord E and the Ford Granada Turnier (from the 75-77 series) took the first two public seats, followed by the majestic Ford Capri RS 2600. The sports Ford appeared in another part of the programme: the Porsche Killer.
Forty years of Mercedes-Benz 190
Bremen is rightly proud of the Mercedes-Benz W201. The Baby-Benz is celebrating its fortieth birthday this year, and that is what the organization of the Bremen Classic Motor Show was thinking about. The W201 was not only an important model for Mercedes-Benz, but also for the growth of employment in Bremen. The 190 was built there, and that fact was an additional reason for the organization to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the successful and high-quality Benz model.
Porsche Killer and beautiful motorcycles
Fascinating were the items about the Porsche 911 T opponents (BMW 2002 Turbo, Opel Commodore GS/E and the magnificent Ford Capri 2600 RS) and the topic about two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycles. The Honda 750 CB Four F1, the Suzuki GT 750 A, the Gilera 150 Rosso Super and the DKW RT 175 S passed. Each engine with its own story. The pros and cons of the two- and four-strokes were put into historical perspective and properly explained by Andy Schwietzer of PS.Speicher Einbeck. He calmly and clearly answered a number of questions from Bremen Classic Motorshow co-host Johannes Hübner.
Missed opportunities: 40 years of Ford Sierra not mentioned
All this and much more could be followed during the online program. There was something for everyone, and the nice thing (see below) is that all themes are online separately until May 1st. So enough to see. As far as we're concerned, the organization should consider the Ford Sierra. In 1982, this unleashed an aerodynamic design revolution within the rather conservative middle class. The Audi 100 Typ 44 also deserved more attention. Like the Ford and the Mercedes-Benz W201, it celebrates its XNUMXth anniversary this year. It is remarkable that the organization did not consider the Audi and the Ford.
Ideas for 2023 with a Japanese touch
Over the course of the program Frank Ruge talked about new ideas. In that sense, the Bremer organization shows year after year that fixed values and novelties go hand in hand in a creative way. For next year we see a Sonderschau with Japanese rally icons or a combined NSU-Mazda-Citroën shaky exhibition. These are examples of special exhibitions that belong in Bremen, just like Japanese icons such as the Celica, the Sapporo, the 240 Z and the Mazda Cosmo. To name a few examples. We are curious whether the organization will offer space for ideas like this in 2023.
Live again next year? Exhibition dates set for at least 3-5 February 2023
Thus, the second online Bremen Classic Motor Show once again became a presentation that was worthwhile and memorable. Naturally, the organization expressed the wish to welcome everyone in the exhibition halls again next year. For now, the online fair was the only solution, and it was viewed by a lot of visitors. In case you missed the show: you can watch the entire broadcast and/or the individual themes on the event website until May 1th† It's more than worth it. Although we will of course be happy to report live again next year on the opening of the German classic season. It is scheduled for February 3-5, 2023.
