Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

Volkswagen: Techno Classica 2010

|
Get the best interest rate
Khatir Soltani
Volkswagen is welcoming visitors to Techno Classica 2010 with three special themes that will take them back through an exciting period of automotive history.

VW Iltis. (Photo: Volkswagen)

First theme: Under the motto "Volkswagens off the beaten path," Europe’s largest automobile producer has brought along a diverse collection of off-road highlights to the Ruhr region. They include the Dakar race vehicle, the Tarek, the legendary Iltis (winner of the 1980 Paris-Dakar), an Apal Buggy, the Type 181 ("Kübel" car), the Golf Country (crossover trendsetter) and the T3 syncro aka the Bulli. Second theme: "Volkswagen celebrates 40 years of front-wheel drive." Background: The K70 debuted in 1970; this sedan took active safety to a new era. And of course that is why the K70 will be in Essen as well. Third theme: "25 years of the Volkswagen AutoMuseum Foundation." To commemorate its milestone anniversary, the museum has opened its treasure vaults wider than ever before: Along with a special anniversary Beetle (50 year old special edition) the VW 30 – a 1937 prototype of the Beetle – has been pulled out as well. A fitting way to celebrate the 75th birthday of the Beetle in 2010. To mark the occasion, the Classic Parts Centre will be showing an air-cooled engine Beetle by the name of "Erbse" (English: "Pea"). This 57 year old Beetle travelled the Panamericana from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. And so, for Volkswagen fans and friends of "the Dakar", the Techno Classica is a "must see" on this year’s event calendar.

The 2009 "World Car Show for Oldtimers, Classic & Vintage Automobiles, Motorsport, Motorcycles, Replacement Parts and Restoration," held from 7 to 11 April 2009, attracted nearly 170,000 visitors. The highlight last year: Volkswagen World. And that may very well be the case this year too. First, because the range of oldtimers and young-timers with the VW logo is unusually large. But also because Volkswagen Classic once again has a programme specially tailored to this car show. At our exhibit area, visitors can have their picture taken by a professional photographer in front of the classic of their choice. A front-runner for background car will be the spectacular Tarek. And since the way to automobile love is through the stomach too, Volkswagen will be presenting a special premiere of "Volkswagen Classic Ketchup," the recipe for which is a trade secret. So: taste it, take some, and fire up the barbecue grille...

In 2010, Volkswagen Classic will definitely be well represented at all key oldtimer and youngtimer events. Among other events, Volkswagen is the automotive partner of the Youngtimer Rallye Creme21 (15 to 19 September) – a role that is almost mandatory for a company that built cult car classics in the 1970s like the Golf GTI and Scirocco (and still builds them today).

In addition, Volkswagen will once again be lead organiser for an event it initiated in 2009, the "Schloss Bensberg Classics" (10 to 12 September 2010). Held over a single weekend, it hosts a traditional Concours d’Elegance and a challenging conformity rally. There is not much time left until then. Because on 21 May, the icons from Volkswagen Classic will already be at the Sachs-Franken Classic. Afterwards, the events arrive in quick succession: On 26 May there is the Kitzbüheler Alps Rallye, on 21 June the Donau Classic, on 8 July the Silvretta Classic and on 19 August the Sachsen Classic. And so, the Techno Classica will be the prelude to an extremely exciting oldtimer and youngtimer year. And that is how it should be. Let’s get started...

VW Tarek. (Photo: Volkswagen)



Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada