The final chapter of the Classic & Prestige Salon – farewell after 43 years

In December 2025, an era will end: The Classic & Prestige Salon will open its doors for the 43rd and final time. In and around Jagdhaus Schellenberg at Baldeneysee The presentation took place at the Classic & Prestige Salon. Since 1982, the event, founded by SIHA, has been a fixture for classic car enthusiasts. Now, the cooperation with Messe Essen is coming to an end – a step resulting from differing visions for the future. For the scene, this means saying goodbye to an institution that has set standards for decades.

Trade visitors can experience the highlights in advance at the preview and press day on November 28, 2025. From November 29 to December 7, the trade fair will then be open to the public. For two weekends, Essen will become the center of automotive passion. Hundreds of vehicles – from classic cars and modern classics to super sports cars and prestige automobiles – will be presented across 17,000 square meters.

A highlight is the large SIHA special exhibition. It showcases legendary GT cars from the 1950s to the present day: Fiat 8V, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, Bristol Aceca, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Porsche, and Aston Martin. The crowning finale is the modern ABT XGT – a handcrafted, road-legal race car, strictly limited to 99 units. It is even available for purchase for around €600,000. "A car to dream about – yet made for the road."„

The show also serves as a stage for tuning icons. SGS Styling Garage is showcasing a rare Mercedes SEC convertible, while Schulz Tuning is presenting a unique compact model based on the W 201. In contrast, there's an extended Mercedes G-Class, originally built for falconry. The current scene is also represented: tuner and influencer Sidney Hoffmann is bringing three of his own vehicles and will be available to sign autographs for fans.

Far Eastern automotive culture has a firm place at the event. The TofuGarage is causing a stir, while the AvD DRIFT Championship thrills a young audience with spectacular drifting maneuvers. The Automobile Club of Germany is showcasing rally classics like the Lancia Delta HF Integrale and providing information about the upcoming AvD Histo-Monte 2026.

Numerous dealers and collections enrich the exhibition. The Ford Store Hagemeier presents three generations of the Ford GT as well as selected Mustang models. Metropole from the Netherlands showcases historic trucks, while Reller Automobile brings a rare Mercedes 190 SL and a tuned VW Beetle. Feierabend GmbH shines with classics such as the Abarth 700 Bialbero and a RUF GT2. The Sinsheim Auto & Technik Museum and the ASC Classic Gala from Schwetzingen are also represented. Clubs like the AMC Duisburg and the Fiat Rarities Club celebrate anniversaries and present their automotive treasures.

A special project combines art and automobiles: Artist Christian Rott has designed a Porsche 928 in a pop art style. This unique piece will be auctioned on December 6th to benefit the Tübingen Children's Cancer Foundation – an emotional highlight of the fair.

The show also reflects the economic dynamism of the scene. According to Classic Analytics, the total value of the ten most expensive sales in 2025 rose to over US$212 million – an increase of more than 80 percent compared to the previous year. "Demand for classic cars remains strong – and it continues to grow."„

The Classic & Prestige Salon 2025 is more than just an exhibition. It's a farewell to an institution that has shaped automotive culture for over four decades. Featuring classic cars, super sports cars, tuning icons, Japanese racers, and drift shows, the final edition offers a program that evokes emotions and celebrates the diversity of the automotive world. A fitting finale for a legend of German trade fair history.