21-24 of April found Stuttgart, Germany, as the centre of classic (and not only) cars – enthusiasts from all over the world gathered to see some of the world’s most spectacular auto vehicles – Retro Classics 2022. An extensive gallery can be found at the end of the article.
Just in front of the East entrance, Aston Martin impresses with a prototype of its last DBX707 – an impressive SUV created to bring another smile to the connoisseurs’ faces.
The impressive SUV was brought by Aston Martin Stuttgart and will get a separate article in the followings days.
Auto clubs and associations
Several big automakers were present there with their fan clubs. Most of the clubs are specialised in specific models but adopt fans and enthusiasts even without ownership.
Of course, the sought after and very loved Italian cars had a strong presence with various cars: from the Alfa Romeo Spider to the rare models from Abarth and Ferrari.
At an auto event in Stuttgart, it was impossible not to have some of the most impressive examples of Porsche: ultra-rare models, unusual colours and tunning enthusiasts.
The Bugatti side of the story
Bugatti was present with some historic relevant models like the Type 35.
E-mobility
An actual and very important topic these days is e-mobility, followed by sustainability and departure from fossil fuels.
From various companies proposing green energy, high-performance chargers and hydrogen solutions the trend is going into preserving the classic cars and transforming them into electric vehicles using complex but usable solutions.
I was impressed by two examples of electrification: one Mustang and a DMC DeLorean. While preserving the loved exterior (and most of the interior) design, the cars were transformed into full electric vehicles with quite good specifications.
Transforming metal into art
The automobile is itself a form of art. Maybe we are now so used to it that we forget that the visuals are a result of a creative process. But surrounded by hundreds of automobiles, a small creative brand is transforming old planes and part of them into usable art.
Arteinmotion offers fantastic art objects in various forms: tables from planes motors, furniture from the fuselage, decorating objects from propellers and other aeroplanes’ components.
Favourites – what I particularly liked at Retro Classics 2022
Just like on the topic of watches, it is hard for me to draw lines and decide on a clear favourite. Craftmanship is always appreciated and the beauty in the automotive industry creates passion, so I have selected a set of items that made me smile behind the lens.
What is a beauty contest without a red Alfa Romeo? Maybe not the most reliable ever, the cars produced by the Italian automaker have numerous times been named the most beautiful cars in the world.
This green Targa has blown my mind with its extremely clean but rich interior (not that the exterior was not “Woah” itself) with excellent leader work.
I am not sure what purpose this has… A Sweet Sixteen gift for an “everything is bigger in Texas” birthday girl, a guilty pleasure? But I appreciated the work implied and even the idea.
The “I will never run in that” hot rod with wood made body is something you don’t see every day. I find it quite funny and was wondering how safe is to drive this car…
The Bugatti Royale is a magnificent example from the early days of the automobile history. Type 41 was produced in the interbelic era. The Royale is the only Bugatti vehicle to have a hood ornament. It features a dancing elephant, designed by Ettore‘s deceased brother Rembrandt Bugatti, a well-known artist and sculptor.
This Bentley Special 3/8 Racer is a monstrosity of a car and a beauty. With an absolute thrilling sound, this beast is a car to remember.
Retro Classics 2022 was an exceptional show. It felt smaller than the previous ones, with fewer exponents. Maybe the current situation had something to say… But being one of the first big events after the Covid had brought a lot of enthusiasts eager to resume the known normality (even if nothing will be the same).
In the following gallery, one can have some pleasant surprises, so don’t hesitate to write to me if you find something you especially like and want to share some info. Enjoy!
