Bremen Classic Motorshow 2025

Classic Cars, Culture, and Collector’s Paradise

Posted by Tom Schwede on 1st Feb 2025

The Bremen Classic Motorshow has always set itself apart from other automotive heritage fairs. While some classic car shows focus on ultra-rare, high-gloss vehicles, Bremen offers something different: a more down-to-earth selection of cars that once populated everyday streets. That doesn’t mean you won’t find a Bentley or a Ferrari at the event, but the emphasis is clearly on more accessible classics. A major highlight contributing to this unique atmosphere is the multi-story parking garage, where the classic car community gathers among private sellers and buyers.

A Treasure Trove for Classic Car Enthusiasts

A standout feature of the Bremen Classic Motorshow is that many vehicles in the parking garage change hands directly from private sellers to buyers. This setting allows enthusiasts to discover incredible deals.

parking garage at the Bremen Classic Motorshow Other classic car shows have recently started offering direct private sales, but Bremen was the pioneer of this concept in Germany.

One particularly tempting offer was a Saab 900i, brought directly from Sweden by its owner. Many may not know this, but in its homeland, Saab was once considered the “people’s brand.” The price tag? Just €5,500. I was tempted to drive it home myself!

The Classic Car Market – A True Fair in the Historical Sense

The Bremen Classic Motorshow stays true to the original meaning of “Messe” (trade fair), which comes from the Latin missa (meaning “sending” or “dispatch”). Historically, a Messe was a marketplace held on specific days of the year—and that spirit is alive and well in Bremen.

This is evident in the large auto parts and memorabilia hall, where vendors sell everything from ashtrays and rubber seals to ignition coils, as well as collectibles like vintage stickers, tin signs, and driving school models.

The Best Cars of the Bremen Classic Motorshow 2025

The exhibition halls are packed with stunning cars, making it difficult to pick just three highlights. However, as is our tradition, here are my top picks:

  1. Adler Trumpf Junior Sport – A Le Mans Competitor with Front-Wheel Drive The Adlerwerke in Frankfurt were ahead of their time with this small car. First introduced in 1934, the Adler Trumpf featured front-wheel drive—a concept that is standard today. The Junior designation indicated the smaller 1.0-liter four-cylinder version. The model even had racing success: in 1937, a Trumpf Junior competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After 160 laps, the French drivers Dimitri Calaraseanu and Henri Lesbros finished 15th overall.

Adler Trumpf Junior Sport The Adlerwerke produced automobiles from 1900 to 1941. After World War II, they attempted a comeback but ultimately failed, making the Trumpf Junior Sport one of their final automotive achievements.

  1. Mercedes-Benz 207D – The Workhorse of the 1980s The Mercedes-Benz Bremen factory takes great pride in showcasing its historical contributions to the brand. The site, once owned by Hanomag-Henschel, became part of Daimler-Benz and was responsible for building the legendary Harburger Transporter. Starting in 1977, the plant produced the Mercedes-Benz T1, also known as the Bremer Transporter. If you lived in Germany in the 1980s or 1990s, it was nearly impossible to drive anywhere without encountering one of these iconic vans. At the 2025 Bremen Classic Motorshow, the Bremen Mercedes-Benz plant showcased a Mercedes-Benz 207D Kombi. Seeing this van took me straight back to my youth. My hometown fire department had one as a command vehicle, and during one emergency ride, I even ended up holding the gearshift lever in my hands!

Mercedes-Benz 207D Starting in 1977, the plant Bremen of Daimler Benz produced the Mercedes-Benz T1

  1. Audi TT 2.7 T RS – A 380 HP Prototype The Audi Tradition exhibit at the Autostadt stand featured a rare prototype: the Audi TT 2.7 T RS. While it looked like a standard first-generation TT, it hid something special under the hood: the 2.7-liter bi-turbo V6 from the Audi RS4. To accommodate the larger engine, Audi engineers didn’t modify the TT—they took an RS4 chassis, shortened it by 170mm, and placed a TT body shell on top. Because mass production of this setup was deemed too expensive, this high-performance TT remained a one-off prototype.

Audi TT 2.7 T RS The first and only TT with V6 under his bonnet: Audi TT 2.7 T RS

Japanese Cars Are Rising Stars in the Classic Market

As always, my selection is subjective—many other remarkable cars were on display. A Mini that competed in the legendary Targa Florio race in Sicily, a Triumph Dolomite, or even a Fiat Multipla could have made the list.

The annual special exhibition at Bremen is always a highlight, and in 2025, the focus was on Japanese high-performance cars. This reinforces a trend I’ve noticed at classic car events worldwide: Japanese cars are becoming highly sought-after classics.

Bremen’s exhibition reminded visitors of how Japanese manufacturers gradually gained mainstream acceptance in the 1990s—a process now mirrored in the collector car market.

Final Thoughts:

Bremen once again proved to be a must-visit event. The combination of historic vehicles and the unique Hanseatic atmosphere makes this show special.

And for those who are still undecided: you have until tomorrow evening to experience the Bremen Classic Motorshow 2025 firsthand! The exhibition center is conveniently located right next to Bremen’s central train station—so don’t miss out on this classic car extravaganza!


Picture credits: Tom Schwede