If you need proof that the classic hobby is in rude health, you only need look at this year's Techno Classica Essen.
Now in its 22nd year, the 8-11 April show saw more than 170,000 visitors and superb historic displays by the 'big three' German manufacturers.
Volkswagen brought a selection of coachbuilt Beetles to mark 10 years of the Autostadt museum, with two Rometsch Volkswagen Beeskows - a '52 Coupe and '53 Cabriolet - the standout pairing.
A spectacular timeline of Mercedes history was headed by a 1903 Simplex 60hp with a 7-litre '28 SSK and '69 Wankel-engined C111 supercar.
But BMW's stand proved most popular with its slew of 3.0 CSLs and Mille Miglia 328s.
Among the 230 club stands were Fiat 600 Freunde Deutschland, which served up a pizza with a baby Fiat topping, and Opel Kadett B & Olympia A Club, which staged a schoolroom scene with an automotive teacher quizzing a class of cars (complete with schoolbags).