Techno Classica Salon 2026: A new chapter in Dortmund – a hub for the scene instead of a high-gloss trade fair?
At the end of September 2026, the new Techno Classica Salon celebrated its premiere at the Dortmund exhibition center. After all the musical chairs played by trade fairs recently—what used to be in Essen is now in Dortmund, and what was in Stuttgart is now additionally in Essen—we were extremely curious about the new atmosphere.
Together with Volkmar and Matthias, I saw it for myself on site; fellow Dino fan Marcus also shared his impressions. Is the new Salon worth it, and what does it mean for us as Dino enthusiasts?
Here is our conclusion.
The new atmosphere: A cozy meeting place for the scene instead of "bling-bling"
One thing became clear immediately: the glamorous gigantism of the last ten years is over. The major manufacturers have withdrawn, and the pure speculators have largely disappeared, too. But that doesn't have to be a disadvantage! The fair seems much smaller, but therefore also more intimate.
- The atmosphere: The whole thing felt less like an anonymous global trade fair and more like a high-level scene meeting point. The halls in Dortmund are smaller and quieter than in Essen. There were no massive halls forced to look busy with wide aisles. Everything was closer together, which made for a very pleasant atmosphere, even if navigation was sometimes a bit tricky.
- Light & Shadow: While the compact structure was pleasing, there is still room for improvement in terms of logistics. Due to the large windows, the lighting conditions were sometimes difficult for photography. In addition, the glamour was lost in some corners: Hall 5, which housed the Alfa Club and the model dealers, unfortunately exuded the harsh charm of a flea market in some places.
The vehicles: Top-class exotics and a meager Dino haul
Anyone who traveled for absolute dream cars was not disappointed. The standard of the vehicles was extremely high—something you rarely see in that form in Bremen or Friedrichshafen.
The absolute highlights included:
- The spectacular Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (awarded Best of Show)
- A legendary Lamborghini Miura SV
- A Ferrari Daytona in the striking color Giallo Senape
- An almost flawless Alfa Spider (Series 4) with just 158 kilometers on the odometer
And on the Dino side?
Unfortunately, we had to look a bit longer this time. The selection was manageable but fine:
Unfortunately, we had to look a bit longer this time. The selection was manageable but fine:
- A beautiful green 2.0 Spider at the Fiat Raritäten Club booth.
- The storied Dino 206S (on loan from the Loh collection at the Zwischengas booth).
- A great poster of a white 2.0 Spider.
What we missed & How it continues
A big disappointment, at least for me, was the parts market. Anyone hoping to browse for rare spare parts was disappointed—it was unfortunately very sparsely supplied. For us as "one-day visitors," one day was quite enough to see everything in peace. Overall, some club representatives (such as those from the Alfa Club or the Mercedes clubs) seemed quite satisfied, even if there was a feeling that there were slightly fewer people around than in the old Essen days.
The future remains exciting: many dealers and exhibitors have already signaled that they want to remain loyal to the Techno Classica in Dortmund. Emotionally, for many of us, the TC still identifies more strongly with the genuine classic car ethos than, for example, the Retro Classics. In any case, there would be enough room for expansion in Dortmund. Many a club has already taken a clear position here:
My personal conclusion: Absolutely not a wasted day! It was a beautiful trade fair visit with top-class cars and, as always, fantastic conversations within the scene.