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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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© Damon Cogman/Classic & Sports Car
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Stuttgart’s stars shone brightly
It’s the sheer diversity of classic car shows that makes them a pure delight, unearthing amazing and often rarely seen classics and giving them their moment in the spotlight.
And Retro Classics Stuttgart in Germany was no exception.
Held last week (27 February-1 March), it was a colourful celebration of classic cars – and here are 10 exhibits that really caught our eyes.
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1. BMW 3.0 CSi
Arguably, there’s no better shape to a classic BMW than the E9, with its swoopy two-door body and wafer-thin window pillars.
This example sported a deleted front bumper and non-standard polished BBS wheels. Road racer looks mated with the 200bhp straight-six is one seriously sexy combination.
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2. 1961 Ford Taunus
The blend of progressive 1950s German design mixed with classic Americana, means this rather handsome ‘streifentaunus’ (side stripes Taunus) is a rare sight outside its homeland.
Although its underpinnings were born of a previous generation, its 1.5-litre engine could propel it along the autobahns of the day at a heady 80mph.
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3. Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II
Not many of these wide-arched monsters were built, 502 to be precise, so to find one in such perfect condition is rare indeed.
With its huge rear wing dominating the skyline, these German touring car refugees command serious money. Worth every Euro. I mean, just look at it…
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4. 1963 FBW PC35-U Alpenwagen
It wasn’t just cracking classics at this Stuttgart show, there were also some wonderful coaches and buses to get oddly excited about.
This Dysli-run version used to ferry passengers around the Swiss Alps region, no doubt enjoying the spectacular vertical views through the groovy curved ceiling windows.
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5. Volkswagen Type 2 pick-up
It’s not every day you see a VW Type 2 pick-up hauling a Porsche-powered 1970s Formula Two car…
With the wheels hanging over the edge of the pick-up bed by several inches, it looks amazing and terrifying in equal measure. A perfect setup for your next historic festival?
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6. 1956 Avions Voisin C31 Biscooter
Packing a mighty 8bhp, this single-cylinder microcar was a design study by Gabriel Voisin into creating cheap motoring. It was not a success.
Sitting next to the other gorgeous creations on the Voisin stand, this alarmingly basic vehicle stood out with its wicker garden chairs for an interior and its cable brakes.
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7. Fiat 127 Sport
Once common, especially in Europe, this poor little Fiat must get lonely as it is maybe one of the rarest cars on the roads these days.
Finished in possibly the most vibrant orange we’ve ever seen, the black stripes, plastic bonnet scoop and period Abarth wheels add huge cool factor to this boxy Italian hero.
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8. Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’
It’s so refreshing to see a Mercedes-Benz 300SL finished in anything other than silver.
Period-style Mille Miglia signwriting adorning a crisp, white German canvas means this Gullwing stood out from the crowd at its home show.
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9. Renault 4 Plein Air
Another rarity, this officially sanctioned conversion by Sinpar was surprisingly available to buy at your local Renault dealer.
The ‘Fresh Air’ isn’t something you’d want to have an accident in, though, and we’re not sure the chain across the door opening would get many Euro NCAP stars…
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10. 1971 BMW 2000 tii
This Neue Klass four-door, mid-size luxury car carries the distinctive rectangular headlights. Not a popular design choice at the time, the traditional round headlights returned soon after this bold look didn't quite capture buyers’ imaginations.
Time has been kind to its looks, though, and it is as sharp today as it was in 1971.