42. VETERAMA in Mannheim celebrates rolling cultural assets
It was never supposed to be a glossy event – and that exactly is its recipe for success: From October 07 to 09 the 42nd VETERAMAin Mannheim attracted 43.000 visitors. For three days the Maimarktgelände was the centre of the (most probably) rustiest hobby in the world.
For some people the well-kept classic and vintage cars are just scrap metal, for the connoisseur they represent irretrievable treasures. 4.500exhibitors from all over Europe had come to Mannheim, standing closely packed on 260.000 sqm outdoors and 15.000 sqm indoors to satisfy the huge demand. It was busy everywhere: here brass headlights were displayed meters long, there you could find vehicle-specific instruments from before WWII. People sought and found, bargained and dealt with vigour, if necessary with gestures and signs: VETERAMA is international.
For more than 40 years now, the „screw-driver festival“ remains true to itself. „Originally we wanted to bring those, who were seeking for a specific object together with those who could offer this“, recalls Winfried Seidel the beginnings. „We still strictly stick to this principle and therefore we are one of last honest screw-driver markets in Europe“, Seidel, the museum-owner and „father“ of the VETERAMA, is convinced. In addition, this largest market for old- and youngtimer parts, whether for two- or four-wheelers, has become the yearly highlight within the scene. An international meeting place to exchange tips and opinions, or simply small talk. Above all it is a great spectacle.
Daredevil gravity slope races and bolides from Zuffenhausen
Besides contemporary accessories with scarcity value, tools, automobilia or the appropriate parts for the next drive, the VETERAMA programme included lots of entertaining acts. Henny Koeze and his team breathtakingly raced around the „wall-of-death“ on classic Indian oldtimers, the „Fahrzeugakademie Schweinfurt“ introduced their listeners in the „VETERAMA-Akademie for Beginners“ to sheet metal work with hourly changing topics, and the Show-Arena covered the auto-mobile passion from the „New Class“ from Munich to bolides from Zuffenhausen.
The market for complete vehicles presented itself equally diversified. It didn't matter, whether the automobilist's heart beats German, French or even American: VETERAMA offered suitable and valuable investments for everyone. The same held true for the two-wheeler offers: rusty projects stood besides speck-less exhibition pieces, unrestored originals besides fully reconstructed Café-Racer. And visitors could find offers not only for motorized but also just pedal-powered bicycles.
„VETERAMA 2016 in Mannheim has once again proven to be the most attractive event and richest in tradition for car- and motorcycle enthusiasts from all over Europe“ is Walter Seidel's summary. „Nowhere else old friends and companions, newcomers and interested parties are classlessly united in their passion for a rolling cultural asset which ought to be maintained forever.“
Once all parts are installed in time for the new season, the next VETERAMA opens its gates on the Hockenheim-Ring for the next screw-driver-festival from March 31 to April 2, 2017.