It is no secret that Germany is among the top destinations for anyone even mildly interested in cars. Not only has the country brought about the world’s first car, Germany is also the biggest car exporter worldwide.
With such a rich history in automobiles it would only be logical that Germany also has a rich tradition in car culture. And indeed, Germany is home to an abundance of car salons that often set the standards for car shows in all of Europe, perhaps even worldwide. One special gem in the widespread offer on venues and events is the Classic Remise in Berlin.
Opened in 2003 and located in Europe’s largest former streetcar depot the Remise is a unique blend of car restauration shops, event location, car salon and, yes, a car museum.
The Remise features all kinds of events. Over 250.000 annual visitors embrace vintage car expositions, car fairs and auctions.
More Than A Car Museum
“We are no regular car salon or even a car museum – even though we are that, too,” says Mika Hahn, head of press for the German exhibitor that runs two Remises, one in Berlin and the other one in Düsseldorf. “What we offer is the chance to witness the full spectrum of a car’s life cycle. From restauration in one of the over 30 car shops to test driving and eventually selling the fully refurbished luxury car – everything takes place on the very same compound,” Hahn explains.
Over 200 Cars On Display
With over 12.000m² in exhibition space Berlin has a steady 100 cars on display. Another 100 cars are being
restaurated on-site. Here, visitors have the unique chance to the proverbial a look over the shoulders of restaurators as they go about their daily business. And once a car is back in full bloom it is added to the permanent exhibition, sometimes with an amost hidden price tag on it, subtlely waiting for a possible buyer. Then again, auctions are a permanent occasion with the Remise, attracting bidders from all over the world.
Live Car Restoring
Mika Hahn is proud of the wide range of cars housed by The Remise. “We practically cover the entire history of the automobile industry,” he stresses.
A statement that by no means is an exaggeration. Over the years the Remise Berlin has seen exhibits as unique and exotic as the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Victoria. Released in 1893, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Victoria came with a gasoline engine of 2,2 to 4,2 kW and
Before and after: a 1954 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta Sprint without any work done on it.
...and after: a fully refurbished 1991 Mercedes Benz 190 SL looking as if it came straight off the assembly line.
was an advanced version of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen 1, the first car in the world that had been engineered by Karl Benz himself and saw its market debut in 1886.
Vintage And Current Cars Side By Side
Even though superb vintage cars make up for a good percentage of all exhibits, they are by far not everything the Classic Remise has to offer. More contemporary highlights are another enticing part of the permanent exhibiton. More than a dozen Ferraris such as the infamous Testarossa, the 512 BB, the F40 or even the Ferrari Dino 24 GT await visitors just as much as a collection of muscle cars or the Formula One-inspired Caparo T1.
Vintage meets ...
... the more contemporary. Here: a selection of Maseratis.
As if one of Europe’s largest and fully accessible collection of luxury cars wasn’t enough, the Classic Remise Berlin also offers an event area of over 860m² in space that features stages, bars and even seminar rooms, all ready for presentations, galas or training courses. And if wandering around the halls got you hungry then there are two restaurants waiting to seat you: the Parc Fermé is a
full-serving restaurant while the Trofeo offers snacks and lunch as well as brunch on sundays.
An Entrance Fee?
The price for the unparalleled offer on entertainment and inights into some of the best cars the world has ever seen? A mere zero Euro. The Classic Remise Berlin can be visited free of charge for a full 12 hours every weekday, with sunday being the only day that sees a ‘late’ opening at 10.00h.
Well Worth A Visit – Even For The Non-Car Aficionado
The most striking feature about the Remise is that it has something for virtually everyone. If you were looking for car parts to vintage or luxury cars that are not found easily in car shops or on the internet then the Remise would be a perfect place for you. Regular car part fairs will skyrocket the chances you will come across that one part you are so desperately missing. The same is true for anyone who is looking for advice on how to fix his particular vintage or luxury car with one of the many car shops on the site. And especially if you were looking to
Every sunday the Trofeo offers a generous lunch, drawing in many visitors on crowded sunday.
simply buy a classic, vintage or refurbished luxury the Remise will be one of the first places for you to turn to. Regularly held auctions and sales offer one of the largest supply in those cars you will most likely never encounter in a regular car showroom.
But even if none of the above was for you the Remise will still not disappoint you. In any case, getting a hands-on experience with some of the most strikig cars in the world will always make for an astounding experience.
So you like cars? This summer, make a detour to Berlin to see something you won’t come across every day.
Classic Remise Berlin
Website: www.remise.de
Restaurants at the Classic Remise: www.classic-driver.eu
Address:
Wiebestrasse 36 – 37
10553 Berlin
Contact:
Phone: +49 30 3640780
Fax: +49 30 36407819
Email: berlin@remise.de
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