Low and poised to pounce – the W12 Nardo makes quite an impression. With open gull-wing doors, the scenario itself is quite a lure. Visitors gaze in wonder at the record-breaking car, circling it with respect and popping their heads and cameras into the cockpit. With its matt black carbon body, the two-seater embodies power and speed. At the fair stand, Volkswagen Classic recounts the story of the dozen records set by the 440-kW (600-PS) concept car at the high-speed circuit in Nardò in 2002 – all of which still stand to this day.
Frugal, strong, and rare
Once a year, Essen transforms into the centre of the classic car scene, when the Techno Classica unites around 180,000 international visitors, thousands of cars and 1,250 exhibitors. Volkswagen was part of the action once again when the biggest vintage car fair in the world was held for the 31st time.
Volkswagen Ecomobile: the prototype with 0.2 kW (0.272 PS) and a capacity of 25.7 cc lived up to its name on 28 August 1982. During the record drive in Ehra-Lessien, a distance of 1,491 km was covered with just one litre of fuel.
An animated discussion about the vehicle information that surrounds you, a fascinated flick through the accompanying “Mission Maximum” booklet – and suddenly you are immersed in the world of Volkswagen records, in one of Volkswagen Classic’s three themed areas.
Just a few metres away from the W12 Nardo is a contrasting image: an intricate exhibit is surrounded by visitors, inspecting it intensely and talking shop. The three wheels – bicycle tyres covered with silk – are touched frequently. This lightweight vehicle is also a record breaker: the SMVW set a world record for the lowest consumption in 1982. The compact car is a big deal at the fair:
“Impressive technology in a small space. It’s just a shame that it wasn’t developed further,” said one visitor as he eagerly snapped away.
The joy of being reunited
Meanwhile, a man casts an expert eye over the Corrado G60, nods, grins and climbs in as if this were something he has done often in the past. Which it is. Jochi Kleint, rally ace and the first Volkswagen works driver, set class records with one of two modified Corrado G60 in Ehra-Lessien in 1988.
“I’d race with this again at the drop of a hat. It was fantastic on the road and I have great memories of the sound,” recalls Kleint with starry eyes. But before he can actually drive the 162-kW (220-PS) record-breaking car away from the stand, a fan asks him for a photo and his autograph.
The world of Volkswagen classics: The stand with three themed areas and nine vehicles at the 2019 Techno Classica.
Corrado G60 “record”: one of two modified versions of the pilot series built by Volkswagen Motorsport.
Jochi Kleint: rally ace, first Volkswagen works driver and European Rally Champion. Kleint would happily get right back to business and has fond memories of the record-breaking drive on 20 August 1988.
“I had one like that!”
The Beetle in Marathon metallic brings back memories for many visitors. As the first Volkswagen special edition, the 1302 S “World Champion” Beetle commemorates a significant production record: on 17 February 1972, the Beetle became the best-selling car in the world. A Golf MK I also connects with people. And many Golf I share its brilliant yellow, but not its experience of an endurance test from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, like the one completed by the 1974 edition – one of the oldest production Golf models still in existence.
Like the tour itself, the book on the adventures of automobile journalist Fritz B. Busch remains legendary to this day. Fan Jörg Köhres even has a copy with him as he visits the “Alaska-Tierra del Fuego” Golf in Essen.
Surprise guest for the compact economy legend
“Hello, this here is the Lupo ‘80 Days’ – I was at the record-breaking drive in 2000!” Smiling, Jürgen Peters produces a pile of photos. Peters has another surprise in store: not only did he drive a leg from Rome to Norway, but he was also involved in the development of the first standard 3-litre car introduced in 1999. Responsible for measuring consumption and driving performance, Peters was well-prepared: “It took a particular way of driving to reach the targeted reduction in consumption. We consistently drove at around 80 km/h, at the same speed as the lorries.” And with great success: the Lupo 3L TDI ended up in the Guinness World Records book as the most efficient production car in the world.
Reunion with the “80 Days” Lupo 3L TDI: Jürgen Peters was involved in the development of the model and in the record-breaking drive in 2000. “That was a really great experience.”
Live: Youth at work
The smell of solvents drifts across the stand and the carpet is sticky. A dull thump can be heard, the screen is in position. An engine starts – and suddenly inquisitive visitors gather around a half-finished Type 3 1600 TL, to watch two young men at work. Their combined age is less than that of the classic car that they are restoring: Marvin Wiethölter and Fábio Lopes, budding automotive mechatronics engineers for system and high-voltage technology at Volkswagen Osnabrück, are finishing off their training project at the fair.
A special type of trainee project: restoration live at the Techno Classica.
“Lots of people are asking questions about the car and our work. The parts are another popular topic – whether they are the right ones and where we get them from,” explained Wiethölter.
Under expert guidance, the trainees have been restoring the 1968 US model at the Osnabrück car collection for more than four months, including converting the engine to Type 4. “We’ve been given a lot of praise here at the fair, for the car itself and for young people learning something like this,” said Lopes. “And we’re proud of it! It’s an honour to be given such a comprehensive project as an apprenticeship.”
Fábio Lopes (left) and Marvin Wiethölter are budding automotive mechatronics engineers for system and high-voltage technology at Volkswagen Osnabrück, and are restoring a Type 3 TL from 1968 as part of their training.
Credit where it’s due
A classic pair, the stuff of dreams, also attracts a lot of attention: the 1949 Karmann Beetle Cabriolet and the 1950 Hebmüller Beetle Cabriolet. They are well-wishers and celebrating their birthday at the same time. They are showcasing 70 years of production of the Beetle convertible in Essen. The elegant 1.100 Hebmüller Cabriolet is not only a real rarity – it also quickly turned out to be the most-photographed model at the Volkswagen stand.
70 years of series production of the Beetle convertible: the 1100 Karmann Cabriolet of 1949 is one of the oldest Beetle convertibles still in existence. In the foreground, a rare 1.100 Hebmüller Cabriolet from 1950.
What would a classic fair be without fans? It goes without saying that the Techno Classica is also a global club meeting. The Volkswagen fan clubs have been an integral part of the event for years. With great attention to detail, the favourite cars are displayed in Essen – with the motto “Europe” for 2019.
Three cheers, Swedish style
100 years are being celebrated at the stand for the 1st original Golf I IG: 40 years of the Golf Cabriolet, 40 years of Jetta and 20 years of common interest. Anna Webelsiep has owned her Golf I Cabriolet “Coast” for eight years, the special edition model from 1990 with original paintwork in Oceanic Blue Metallic is her absolute dream car. And now that there is a little passenger, the Coast has got something on top: a contemporary roof rack. That’s how to transport your stuff in style.
The Golf family: Anna Webelsiep, Christoph Dalchau and daughter Mathilda.
Anna taps on the advert displayed for the luggage rack: “No Winter’s Tale” is the title. “We only drive our family treasure when the weather is good.” When 15-month-old Mathilda crawls off to a nearby stand with her toy Golf, Anna smiles: “We really hope that the little one inherits our passion – and the convertible.”
Golf I Cabriolet “Coast” from 1990 at the stand for the 1st original Golf I IG.
Falko Will of Polo IG Deutschland e.V. with his 1977 Derby L.
Best regards to Switzerland
Across the way, a Mars Red Derby with a white cross glistens in front of an Alpine panorama. Polo IG Deutschland e.V. is an association of committed enthusiasts, Falko Will is one of the “positively crazy” members: his passion started with his first Polo, when he was 17. Since then, his collection has increased to more than 40. Currently, four Polo 86C and one Treser Polo are roadworthy, a further handful of unfinished Polo models are still waiting. As is the Derby L with the latest Swiss style, which Will has been driving for 13 years. The Derby remains unwelded to this day.
The engine is as it came out the factory. Refurbished technologically and with a new coat of paint, the 1977 classic is in excellent condition.And this is another family affair: Falko Will met his wife through a Polo G40. Their offspring already enjoy close links with the Derby and they celebrate their passion for Volkswagen together.
Anniversary with a breakthrough
There are only a few steps between Switzerland and Berlin in Essen. A uniformed member of the People’s Police makes some visitors flinch for a moment, but on closer inspection it’s the IG T3, which imaginatively links two anniversaries: 40 years of T3 and 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. After all, the fascination of Volkswagen has history in both parts of Germany. So, a van can be seen symbolically breaking through the wall. The 1986 version of the T3 with minimalist features made it to the GDR via the “Genex” programme back in the day. And the members of the T3 are dressed in clothes authorities wore at that time – however, contrary to their own West or East German heritage.
40 years of T3 and 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall: the IG T3 links two special anniversaries. Leandro Schöttler, Rüdiger Schneider, Tobis Döring (from left to right).
Enthusiasm for Volkswagen is a uniting factor after all, across borders and generations.
