August 28–30: 22nd International Concours d’Elegance and the ASC Classic Gala
The 22nd International Concours d’Elegance and the ASC Classic Gala serve as the grand finale to the classic car year in southwest Germany -Maserati celebrates its brand's 100th anniversary, Dino Ferrari is commemorated, and examples of "royal coachwork" will also be on display
22nd ASC Classic Gala Schwetzingen: Events and over 160 classic cars from around 50 brands (NEDERLANDS, ITALIANO, ENGLISH, DEUTSCH, FRANÇAIS)
Schwetzingen Palace – Classic automobiles from nearly 50 brands will be judged according to the criteria of FIVA, the world federation for historic vehicles. A 30-member expert jury will ultimately decide which vehicles receive awards—recognizing the best and, above all, most authentic classic cars—during the prize-giving ceremony on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The supporting program once again features live music (swing and jazz) and a classical concert in the Rococo Theatre. There will be an art exhibition, vintage fashion shows, and lifestyle presentations. Additionally, ADAC Klassik will be present to mark the FIVA anniversary, and DEKRA Classic Services will be on-site to answer all questions regarding these four-wheeled "garage treasures." Program overview here on the Art & Culture Blog: The Classic Gala Schwetzingen combines culture, music, fashion, lifestyle, and fine living into a delightful summer experience = Classic-Gala Schwetzingen verbindet Kultur, Musik, Mode, Lifestyle und Genuss zu einem sommerlichen Erlebnis
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| Following the classic car gathering in Baden-Baden in July, the next stop in late August 2026 is Schwetzingen Palace (Press photo archive: Helga Waess) |
The most historic *Concours d’Elegance Automobile*
set in a Baroque garden
offers an unforgettable experience
This year’s event features an incredible 30 Maseratis celebrating the brand’s centenary:
Exactly 100 years ago, the Maserati brothers—led by Alfieri Maserati—built their first proprietary race car: the Tipo 26. Powered by a 1,500 cc, 170 hp straight-eight engine, it won the 1.5-liter class at the Sicilian Targa Florio on its very first outing.
This Maserati Tipo 26 leads a lineup of more than 30 classic Maseratis presented on the palace terrace.
The exhibits included a 1934 8CM monoposto, a 1948 4CLT race car, the 1955 A6CS racing sports car, and even one of the 33 legendary Maserati 250 Fs—specifically the green monoposto driven by British racer Roy Salvadori. Also featured from this era are the A6 1500 (the first production coupé by Pininfarina) and the 1957 Maserati A6 2000 Frua Spider; alongside various Maserati 3500 GTs, the display in Schwetzingen includes the Maserati 5000 GT, built in 1961 at the request of the Shah of Persia. The lineage also includes the four-door Maserati Quattroporte sedans and almost all Maseratis named after hot desert winds:
the 1962 Mistral, the legendary Ghibli, the mid-engined Merak and Bora sports cars, and the wedge-shaped Khamsin, as well as the Biturbo series—which leads from the Ghibli II and Shamal to the more recent Maserati V8 models. Visitors don't have to stop at just looking, however: Maserati Germany also offers test drives of its latest models.
The "Passione Dino – Tribute to Man and Machine" event promises to be a thrilling experience:
The renowned automotive entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari had a son named Alfredo, who passed away in 1956 at the age of 24 due to an incurable illness.
Alfredo Ferrari—known as "Dino"—studied engineering in Switzerland and applied his considerable talent to the family business, Ferrari, which had been founded in 1948.
Before his death, "Dino" Ferrari designed a new, compact V6 engine for the 1.5-liter racing class. Following his son's passing, Enzo Ferrari named his sports cars and six-cylinder engines in his honor. After the Dino 156 achieved great racing success—notably with Count Berghe von Trips—Ferrari developed a new 2-liter V6 engine in the mid-1960s, intended for use in Formula 2 as well. This engine powered the Dino 206 SP race car and the production Dino 206 GTB; the latter subsequently evolved into the Dino 246, featuring a 2.4-liter engine.
The ASC Classic Gala Schwetzingen will showcase not only the 206 SP hill-climb car owned by Salzburg-based Egon Hofer, but also every variant of the Dino and the derivative Fiat Dino, alongside the Lancia Stratos and Dino 308 GT4—a collection of 15 classic cars honoring Ferrari and his son, "Dino."
What would an automotive history event be without the Mercedes coupé featuring tailfins?
When the coupé version of the Mercedes W111 series was created in the early 1960s, a special 300 SE Coupé featuring the so-called "tailfins" was built in 1964 upon a special request. At the time, the young Frenchman Paul Bracq had been appointed as the lead Mercedes stylist; however, for the production model, he opted for the well-known design without tailfins.
Built by the Wendler coachworks in Reutlingen, this coupé reportedly spent a long period in the ownership of the Bader clothing company. It showcases exquisite bodywork - featuring additional air vents, a sunroof, air conditioning, and a manual transmission - and is maintained in perfect condition by its owner as a unique showpiece.
"Sofia B": The compact sports car from Bulgaria
In 1986, a Bulgarian development team led by engineer Velizar Andreev attracted attention with a mid-engine sports car named after the capital, Sofia.
The "Sofia B" features a box-section frame and a plastic body, powered by a 1,600 cc, four-cylinder engine producing 78 hp. While its top speed of 160 km/h is secondary, the developers focused on the road-holding and agility of the prototype, which weighs just 850 kg. The Bulgarian sports car sat unused in a warehouse for nearly 40 years before being discovered by Tsvetelin Tsvetanov; it has since been restored to running condition for a "second world premiere" at the 2026 Sinaia Concours, following its appearance in Schwetzingen.
And the reigning "Best of Show" winner is bringing his next masterpiece: one of only 329 Triumph Italia 2000s ever built
Chris Cachia from Malta has a passion for perfectly restored classic cars with custom coachwork.
Last year, his 1950 Triumph TRX—restored to be authentic down to the very last screw—earned him the "Best of Show" overall victory; Chris Cachia promised he would return to showcase another true rarity in pristine condition.
The successful architect from Malta spent almost every spare moment with his mechanics, working to get a Triumph Italia 2000—one of only 329 ever built—ready just in time for the Schwetzingen event.
The 30-member jury is looking forward to seeing this British sports car featuring Italian "tailored" styling by Michelotti; originally conceived as a TR3 coupé by the Italian Triumph importer Ruffino, it was built by Vignale.
Sadly, it never dominated the roads in the 1960s:
the Opel Diplomat Coupé, a model that never made it to mass production.
The late 1960s saw fierce competition in the luxury car segment:
Mercedes introduced a new 3.5-liter V8 and showcased its Wankel-engined C111 sports car at the IAA; BMW stunned the world with the wedge-shaped Turbo; and Opel presented the CD—its "Coupé Diplomat"—all of which were concept cars that never reached production.
At the same time, however, Opel commissioned Pietro Frua in Italy to develop a four-seater Diplomat Coupé; stylistically, it sat somewhere between a Maserati and the large Glas 2600 GT V8.
Although the prototype was well-received, it would have been too expensive to manufacture—despite using the Admiral’s six-cylinder engine. The elegant coupé vanished into storage and was only rediscovered by an enthusiast twenty years ago; following its debut as a "barn find" at Schwetzingen in 2006, it now shines once again in showroom-quality splendor.
Peugeot makes a fitting appearance at Schwetzingen Palace with the "Royal Bodywork" model
King Leopold II of Belgium commissioned the first car of this type in 1901.
The open bodywork was built by the French company J. Rothschild et Fils. As "double phaetons," these open vehicles feature two separate seating areas and boast bulbous, rounded curves—a shape resembling an open tulip, often referred to as a "tulip phaeton." The rear section offers armchair-style corner seats, accessible via a small door at the back.
Many renowned manufacturers fitted this body style to their chassis, including Mercedes-Simplex, Rolls-Royce (with the Silver Ghost), Packard, and Spyker, as well as prestige models from Renault and Peugeot.
A body of this type in unrestored, original condition is a global rarity—exemplified by the 1907 Peugeot 96 B presented by Markus Krauser from Balingen, a vehicle that has remained roadworthy throughout its 119-year history. It is a prime candidate for top honors. The bodywork is largely constructed from wood that was never painted.
And what would this high-class classic car event be without a world champion on wheels: the legendary 1974 World Cup bus of the German national team?
Experts and contemporary witnesses will present the vehicle on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Marking the occasion of the recent 2026 World Cup, Mercedes-Benz Trucks Classic is showcasing the legendary 1974 German national team World Cup bus as a special highlight of its historic commercial vehicle collection.
The vehicle is being brought to Schwetzingen specifically by *Autocars Anciens de France* (AAF) to commemorate the World Cup victory achieved over 50 years ago.
