In the stage talk "Business Opportunities with FIVA: Professionals in the Historic Vehicle Market", Jos Theuns, Senior Vice-President External Relations at FIVA, the leading international association for classic cars, will explain how companies can reach the international historic-vehicle and youngtimer community. Topics include FIVA Professional Membership, co-marketing opportunities and partnerships in training and workforce development, as well as the FIVA Verified programme.
The market offers clear opportunities: according to FIVA, historic-vehicle owners invest almost €4,000 per year on average in direct vehicle-related activities. 78% attend historic-vehicle events and around 81% belong to a club or enthusiast organisation. The talk will take place on Wednesday, 9 September, at 12:00 pm on the stage in Hall 11.1. Afterwards, the FIVA team will be available for discussions at stand B43G.
Opel Classic makes its debut in the outdoor area
As part of the "Classic Car Exhibition", Opel Classic is bringing more than 100 years of automotive history to Frankfurt. Around the Opel Classic stand F12/F74A in the outdoor area, the selection ranges from the 1899 Patent Motor Car "System Lutzmann" and the Opel GT to motorsport vehicles such as the Calibra V6 4x4 and the Astra Kit Car. The display is complemented by an Opel Blitz fire engine from the 1950s and 1960s and the 1995 Opel MAXX concept car.
Leif Rohwedder, Head of Opel Classic, says: "Opel Classic's commitment at this year's Automechanika is intended to highlight and make tangible Opel's unique history for an international trade audience. Visitors can take a closer look at Opel models from 1899 to 2000, seeing automotive tradition and innovation 'made in Germany' side by side."
“Goldener Klassiker”: readers' choice and award ceremony at Automechanika
Another highlight of the classic programme is the presentation of the "Goldener Klassiker" award by AUTO BILD KLASSIK on Tuesday, 8 September, at 6:30 pm on the stage in Hall 11.1. In five categories, AUTO BILD KLASSIK readers selected their favourites from a total of 50 historic vehicles and youngtimers celebrating an anniversary in 2026. The award-winning vehicles will then be presented at the exhibition grounds.
"With the "Goldener Klassiker", we honour vehicles that shaped their era and continue to inspire people with automotive history today. Automechanika Frankfurt provides the right setting: this is where vehicle culture, craftsmanship and the professional classic-vehicle sector come together," says Stephan Kurzawski, Senior Vice President, Messe Frankfurt.
Automotive and trade history in Galleria 0
The exhibition „Die Geschichte des Kfz-Reparaturhandwerks in Deutschland“ (The History of the Motor Vehicle Repair Trade in Germany) traces the path from its improvised beginnings to today's automotive trade in Galleria 0. It shows how technological progress has continuously changed the profession. The presentation is based on the exhibition "Läuft wieder! Zu Besuch in einer Kfz-Werkstatt der 1960er-Jahre" (Running Again! A Visit to a 1960s Motor Vehicle Workshop), shown in 2017 at the LWL Open-Air Museum Hagen. The texts are largely based on abridged contributions by Lisa Maubach, Erik Eckermann and Stefan Krebs from the catalogue of the same name.
The National Automobile Museum – The Loh Collection will also present number 001 of the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II alongside number 001 of the HWA EVO. Delivered in July 2026, this reinterpretation makes the connection between the historic model and modern technology clear in a direct comparison.
"The programme shows how closely automotive history, specialised workshop work and current business issues in the aftermarket are linked. The FIVA talk, the vehicles from Opel Classic and the exhibition on the history of the automotive repair trade highlight different facets of this connection," says Michael Johannes, Vice President Mobility & Logistics, Messe Frankfurt. "And the conversation continues after the Frankfurt show: several of our Automechanika fairs abroad also provide excellent opportunities for networking among classic-vehicle professionals."
Classic Alliance brings together industry expertise in Hall 11.1
The partners of the Automechanika Classic Alliance and paint expert Jürgen Book invite visitors to network daily in Hall 11.1, stand C44, from 4:30 pm. The area also presents solutions for the professional handling of classic vehicles, their data, components and knowledge resources.
Treventus illustrates how a book scanner can preserve historic vehicle knowledge over the long term and make it accessible for use.
The Vogtmann Group is adding the workshop "Understanding Remanufacturing – More Than Repair, Less Waste" on 8, 9 and 11 September. Using a sample component, it will examine the choice between reuse, reworking, replacement and disposal. The workshop is held in German only.
All dates and further information on the classic programme are available in the Automechanika Frankfurt event calendar.
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