All participants have now registered for the 1st Automechanika Rally. Altogether, around 100 vehicles, including numerous rarities and spectacular cars, will take part in the Rally, which is split into five categories – ‘Oldtimers before 1945’, ‘Classic Cars up to 1979’,‘Youngtimers up to 1989’, 'Performance’ and ‘Appearance’.
Most of the registrations for the Rally, which is being organized by Messe Frankfurt and the Association of the Independent Parts Market, are for the category of ‘Classic Cars up to 1979’.
One of the highlights in this connection will be the BMW 507 belonging to Guido Hommel of ClimAir. With its 3.2 litre V8 engine, this beautifully restored example of the Bavarian roadster puts 150 hp onto the tarmac and can hit over 200 km/h, a remarkable speed for a car made in 1959.
“There has never been anything like this at the Automechanika," says Hommel, an Automechanika exhibitor, of the rally. "As an exhibitor and long-standing old-car fan, the 1st Automechanika Rally is of particular interest to me.”
A furore is also likely to be caused by the Red Baron, built by LaFrance in 1916 and fitted with a 14.5 litre straight-six engine producing 130 hp. An oil change on this rare pre-WW I car calls for 40 litres of engine oil. Originally made as a fire engine, the Red Baron was converted into the ‘Speedster’ racing car in the early twenties. A spectacular highlight is the rear-wheel drive via an open chain and brakes that only operate on the rear wheels of this menacing-looking vehicle.
“I am looking forward to seeing so many like-minded old-car aficionados. And, with any luck, I will be able to find one or the other manufacturer who can support me in my hobby with suitable parts,” says owner and driver Thomas Bell.
Another rarity in the ‘Oldtimer before 1945’ category is a 1936 1.5 litre Singer Le Mans of which only 71 were ever made. As advanced features for the time, the car is fitted with a 12 volt electrical system and hydraulic brakes.
“The best thing is the chance to combine business, namely a visit to the Automechanika, with pleasure, the Rally. And, of course, the fact that each individual car will be judged, which is of particular interest to me as a long-standing jury member at classic-car events,” says owner and driver Bruno Hübscher. Other cars in this category include, for example, a 1930 Ford A Cabriolet and a 1933 3.5 litre Bentley Derby, which used to be owned by the British Admiralty.
One of the highlights in the ‘Youngtimer up to 1989’ category is a 1981 Delorean DMC12. This car, which played a leading role as a time machine in the Hollywood film ‘Back to the Future’ stands out as being rather exotic among a collection of exotic cars thanks to its brushed stainless-steel body and gull-wing doors.
A supercharged BMW M3 with 580 PS and a 400 hp YES! Roadster 3.2 Turbo in the ‘Performance’, category, as well as a 1984 Audi Quattro and a 1957 right-hand drive Porsche 356 A Cabrio in the ‘Appearance’ category are just two examples of the many exciting cars to be seen at the 1st Automechanika Rally.
The cars will be on show at the Rebstock car park Saturday, Sept. 18. This area is open to the public and outside the Exhibition Centre so that old car and tuning fans will have the chance to inspect the cars before the Rally begins. At 1 p.m., the cars will drive to the Exhibition Centre at one-minute intervals and, during their journey around grounds, take part in four special tests. The grand finale will be the entry of the cars onto the Agora outdoor area, which will be commented by old-car specialist and journalist Johannes Hübner, who is well known for his role in the Sachsen Classic and Silvretta Classic rallies. Subsequently, the cars will remain at the Agora for visitors to see until 5 p.m.
Visitors will have another chance to see the cars at the Agora from 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19. After the judging, the awards will be presented to the winners in the individual categories by exracing and rally driver Walter Röhrl at 1.30 p.m.
Further information about the Automechanika Rally can be found online.
