20 ace oddballs in Germany this week

Unusual classics delight in Essen

The massive Techno-Classica show welcomed more than 1000 exhibitors and 2700 classic cars to the Messeplatz in Essen, Germany, on 12-16 April 2023.

It is always a superb event, showcasing a wide range of classic cars to suit all tastes.

Here are some of the most weird and most wonderful we spotted this year.

1. 1962 Volkswagen tracked bus

A Viennese Volkswagen mechanic who dreamed of taking his bus up into the Alps built this wild, tracked T1 more than 50 years ago, using two chain-driven rear tracks and two steering axles.

It is thought that there were as many as three created, but this is the only known example remaining. 
 

2. 1959 Škoda 1100 OHC Coupé

One of just two racing cars built by the Czech manufacturer but then lost to time, this sole-remaining example has been recently restored and took pride of place on Škoda’s own stand at the 2023 Techno-Classica.

With a 91bhp 1089cc engine propelling a mere 555kg, it could hit 200kph (124mph), but racing regulations of the time doomed it to obscurity. 

3. 1972 Fiat 128 Moretti Roadster

Shown at the 1969 Turin motor show, Moretti’s targa-type take on the Fiat 128 roadster was a brave attempt at a glamorous sporting option, but ultimately was too expensive for what remained a 1116cc, 55bhp car.

Few were built, fewer survived, but this example on the Fiat Raritäten Club’s stand was, we thought, rather charming.

4. 1928 Panhard & Levassor X59 (RHD) 

Uniquely designed with an aluminium body, this strange car caught lots of attention at Techno-Classica.

Built for a Canadian pilot, this was a prototype X59 that was lost for 40 years until re-emerging in France recently. Blackwood Auctions set its minimum bid at €70,000 (c£62,000/US$77,000).

5. 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadster

Of all our ‘oddball’ picks, this is arguably one of the least odd.

One of many highlights from the huge selection of classic Mercedes-Benz models on show was this rare open-topped version of the roadgoing GT1 sports car.

This example was a prototype, one of just two made, and so even rarer than the five production roadsters built.

6. 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SELT

This is one of the few 126-series S-Class models given an estate-car body for added practicality.

Remodelled in 1990 by its owner, the rear side windows are from a 124-series estate – it’s thought that Zender helped with the conversion work.

7. 1952 Porsche Jeep Fletcher 

What we have here is the result of a joint project from Porsche and American firm Wendalls in the ’50s to produce an ‘airborne’ jeep.

This curious classic creature was made with a monocoque, aluminium body, and many of the components had already been tried and tested in the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen.

Power comes courtesy of a 55bhp 1500cc engine.
 

8. 1980 BMW M1 Procar spec

Not your typical BMW M1, this example was originally owned by disco legend Frank Farian of Boney M and Milli Vanilli, who ticked a rare ‘Procar’ widebody option.

Swedish dealer Motikon had it for sale on its stand for a cool €650,000 (c£575,000/US$715,000).
 

9. 1991 VW Passat G60 Syncro

Celebrating 50 years of the Passat, Volkswagen’s stand featured this supercharged, all-wheel-drive variant of the B3 as part of its collection.

Fitted with sports seats and a 157bhp engine, it was an unusual addition that revealed the breadth of the range.

10. 1928 Meilenstein Franklin 12-B Airman Limited

A rare slice of American motoring history, this Franklin is an example of the Airman line, named after Charles Lindbergh’s pioneering transatlantic flight in ’27.

A luxury car with distinctive styling and an unusual air-cooled engine, it would have once sold for $2740.

11. 1983 Ford Fiesta Fly 

The newest of the convertibles on the large and varied Ford clubs stand was this ‘Fly’ cabriolet.

Only around 30 of these were built, by Crayford in England, and this one had the smaller 1087cc engine producing 49bhp.

12. 1975 Mercedes-Benz 500E/8

Another Mercedes? Well, we are in Germany…

Fitted with a 5-litre M117 engine, this monster of a W114 on the MB /8 Club Deutschland stand at Techno-Classica was not only a work of performance dreams for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, with 237bhp and 298lb ft of torque, but was also a rather neat job and a testament to those who put it together.

13. 1968 Glas 1700 GT Cabriolet

The most elegant and rakish on the Glas Club International stand was this little yellow convertible.

Produced between 1965 and 1968, its 1.7-litre engine produced a surprisingly stout 99bhp, giving a 118mph top speed.

14. 1940 BMW 327 Sport Coupé

You see lots of BMW 328s, and some 327s, but not many like this.

One of just 179 built with the Sport Coupé body, and restored to a glossy-black finish, it was a great example of the elegant lines of this era and for sale at Sergio Ramasco’s stand. 

15. 1960 NSU Prinz 30

On the Audi Club International Deutschland stand, this was an odd highlight.

It was an exceptional example of the 598cc Prinz 30, a car made between 1958 and ’60, with an air-cooled parallel-twin engine making 20bhp.

Packed full of engineering curiosities, it’s an unsung part of Audi’s history but, fortunately for us, on show here.

16. 1927 Tatra T12

The wonderful air-cooled flat-two T12 engine was open for all to see on the Tatra Register Deutschland stand, alongside a later T57 model.

This dark-blue example was in impeccable condition, with much of its brasswork in fine order, too.

17. Melkus RS1000

Inspired by the Lotus Elan, Heinz Melkus built this, his first sports racing car, in 1969.

Based on a Wartburg 353, only 101 were made in the 10 years of production, but up to 90bhp in a mid-engined, 850kg car seems pretty exciting.

18. 1972 Volkswagen K70L

A rare sight in the UK and now even in Germany, this example of the K70L featured a 1.6-litre engine and was painted in the distinctive colour ‘Türkismetallic’.

More than 200,000 were made, but that didn’t stop this fine example from getting lots of glances at Techno-Classica.

19. 1964 DKW/Auto Union Devin

With a one-piece body made by American firm Devin, this odd little roadster used German components from DKW/Auto Union.

 It wasn’t as successful as hoped and few were built.

This restored example was for sale on the stand of Dutch classic car dealer Metropole Classics, for €79,500 (c£70,300/US$87,300).

20. 1955 Pegaso Z-102 Berlinetta Panoramica

A rare version of the already-rare Pegaso supercar, this is one of just eight Panoramicas.

What’s more, it is unusual in having been bequeathed its 2.8-litre V8 from a crashed racing Pegaso of the period.

This means it has twin-spark heads, two magnetos and two four-barrel carburettors, amounting to more than 180bhp, and yet its Touring body is more conservative than that of many other Pegasos.