Granted, it’s most certainly a first world problem, but you will have noticed how the interest in our classic car hobby has grown so significantly that the calendar is simply overflowing with the massive selection of meets, shows and events. More often than not, there are several on the same day, so prioritization is the name of the game. This was also the case two weekends back. However, much as I strive to support local initiative, even Denmark’s biggest indoor classic car show couldn’t quite compete with the impressive Auto e Moto d’Epoca in Padua.
Luckily, I had my excuses ready: It wasn’t really my decision at all, as work commitments required me to head south to the land of pasta, espresso and soul-stirring red sports cars. Truth be told, it ended up being four very busy (but also really good) days on the RM Sotheby’s stand. So much so that I simply could not find enough spare time to take in everything on display. A very impressive 15 halls packed with classic car goodies! Some halls I did manage in full, others I rushed through and when it came to the autojumble, I merely peered through the entrance and immediately walked away. Not that I didn’t want to – quite the contrary actually – for this was a true smorgasbord of an oldskool autojumble. Not a single stall in sight selling cheap candy, plastic gadgets made in China and similar junk that has nil to do with classic cars. This was a REAL autojumble! If you are searching for a nicer ashtray for your ’56 Lancia Appia Berlina, then I’m pretty sure it’s in Padua you will find it. But to make the most of such an autojumble requires time.
On the flipside, it required very little time to sense just how much people clearly enjoyed being out again. To be able to participate in a big event. To be among other people, to socialize, to talk and not least to enjoy their hobby.
And Padua genuinely is a celebration of our great hobby. So many fabulous classics to savor including all my Italian favorites and probably all of yours too. It’s only natural that there will be a certain predominance of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, FIAT and other rare Italian creatures such as OSCA, ISO and De Tomaso – and it really doesn’t distract either. I’ll never tire from the sight of an Alfa Romeo Montreal, a Maserati Mistral or a Cisitalia 202. And how often do you come across all of three Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagato? Phwooar… leaving you to decide whether you prefer this stunning Lancia in white, silver or red. A rather existential decision, I found.
Even more pleasing were all the early FIATs (often on the basis of the 1100TV) with special bodies from various carrozzeria such as Vignale, Allemano, Pininfarina, Zagato and the like. Frankly, they are not all equally pretty, but they make up for it with rarity and charm. My personal favorite was definitely the white and blue FIAT 1100TV Coupé Printemps Vignale from 1957. Those breathtaking lines could make even a Maserati 3500 GT look somewhat ordinary and mass-produced.
But one particular design house was particularly well represented: namely, Bertone. Scattered around one of the halls were more one-off Bertone concept cars than I could be bothered to count. Instead, I took the time to truly enjoy the razor-sharp wedge-shaped specimens from the 70s. In fact, it started already in 1969 with Bertone Runabout – a thoroughly bonkers concept with its low windshield and bulbous headlight housings located on the side of a heavily raked rollbar. The NSU Trapeze and Ferrari 308 GT Rainbow were equally mind boggling, but it was the crisp and perfectly balanced Citroën Camargue from 1972, which really blew me away as I saw it in the flesh for the first time.
However, there were also foreigners among the classic cars, and it naturally pleased my Bavarian-loving heart to come across a small handful of BMW 02s, one of which was even a rare 2002ti with dual Solex carburetors. In addition, not even at Techno Classica have I ever seen so many BMW 6-series. Apparently, Italy is the place to go if you desire one of these grand German coup̩s Рyup(!) you heard it here first. And then there was the gorgeous BMW 1600 GT parked directly opposite our stand. I must confess that I gravitated towards their stand more than once during the extended weekend Рif just to gawk at the beautifully sculpted dashboard and its array of dials.
And even the Italians can’t escape the fact that a classic Porsche 911 is indeed an icon. Besides their legendary status, they also contributed with a joyous colour palette which today’s car manufacturers could learn a lot from.
A varied selection og French and British gems were also to be found, while there was even an entire stand dedicated purely to SAAB 900. For me though, it was especially the lovely Simca 9 Sport Coupé which left a lasting impression. The Japanese, however, were poorly represented, but a quirky little Kei-car in the form of an orange Honda Z600 did its part to leave a huge smile on the face of ever by-passer despite its own very minuscule dimensions.
More than anything though, it was fascinating to witness how trade was blooming. Already after the first day, I saw multiple “Venduta” signs placed in windshields, and so it continued all weekend. Several dealers I spoke with on the Sunday confessed that it had been a very satisfying event indeed, with more sales than they had ever experienced previously in Padua. The same applied for us, where two out of three cars for sale managed to find new owners. The interest in classic cars continues to grow, and it seems that the market has only become stronger after a year and a half with Covid restrictions and shutdowns. Thus, we should all approach the winter with a fresh appetite for the many upcoming indoor shows. Which ones will you be attending?
