Special Exhibitions
A Highlight with Tradition
“What’s the theme of this year’s special exhibition?” – This is one of the most frequently asked questions in the run-up to the Bremen Classic Motorshow. And rightly so, because the carefully curated special exhibitions have been among the show’s main attractions for many years.
What began in Hall 5 with exceptional automobiles was soon extended to include motorcycles in the ÖVB Arena (Hall 1) – and with resounding success. Both exhibition areas showcase themed rarities that captivate experts and enthusiasts alike.
At the heart of it all is the idea of bringing particularly rare originals and outstanding achievements in design and engineering to life. Each year, a new exclusive theme is developed, and suitable exhibits are sourced from across Germany and abroad. The result: displays that convey knowledge, stir emotions, and bring memories back to life – and that have shaped the distinctive character of the Bremen Classic Motorshow for many years.
Driving Dynamics at the Limit: 4×4 Performance
To see the twelve candidates of this year’s special exhibition outside the Bremen Classic Motorshow 2026 in real life, classic car enthusiasts would have to travel all across Germany – if not through large parts of Europe. And even then, there’s no guarantee they would catch them all. These vehicles are extremely rare and, being in private hands, are hardly ever on public display. Under the title “4×4 Performance”, it’s not the off-road representatives of the all-wheel-drive segment that will be showcased, but rather those that pushed the limits of driving dynamics.
The history of all-wheel drive in passenger cars is already more than 125 years old. In 1900, the Lohner-Porsche was presented to the public at the Paris World Exhibition. In the early years of all-wheel-drive history, there were only a handful of racing cars – either built for city-to-city races or hill climbs, such as the Bugatti T53 on display in Bremen. The first series-produced passenger car with permanent all-wheel drive was the Jensen FF in 1966. One of the only 320 units ever built will be featured in the special exhibition – alongside perhaps the most famous representative of this breed, Audi’s Sport Quattro. In the early 1980s, the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer popularized all-wheel drive, collecting countless laurels in both rally racing and later on racetracks with the Quattro system.
Many of the 4×4 vehicles exhibited in Bremen – such as the Ford RS 200 designed for Rally Group S, the VW Golf Bimotore “Pikes Peak”, or super sports cars like the Porsche 959 S – were produced only in very small numbers, or merely as prototypes. Because the performance of these all-wheel-drive cars was at times unmatched and demanded everything from drivers at the limit, they became rare exceptions in racing. In some cases, their use was even banned, as in Formula 1 or the DTM. That’s yet another reason why this species is so rare. As a complete dozen, they may only ever be admired once – at the Bremen Classic Motorshow.
Italian motorcycles: Small, beautiful and sporty!
Aesthetics are a fundamental Italian virtue! The entire country is beautiful, the people are impeccably dressed, and the cars designed by Italians exude style and sporting elegance. And the motorcycles from Moto Guzzi, Laverda, MV Agusta, Gilera, Benelli, and Ducati are world-renowned brands that inspire with both beauty and performance. Reason enough to present a special exhibition at the Bremen Classic Motorshow 2026 in the ÖVB Arena. Twenty-four exhibits will be on display in the middle of Hall 1. Alongside the well-known brands, the showcase is also worth a visit for the motorcycles that only true experts usually recognize – such as Parilla, Caproni, Demm, Berneg, Comet, Moto Bi, or Rumi. The production years of the displayed machines range from 1950 to 1993, with engine displacements between 65 and 400 cc.
The idea for this special exhibition came from Hinni Hinck of MSC Weserland, and the selection was curated by certified classic vehicle appraiser Andy Schwietzer. The true stars of the show – the motorcycles themselves – come half from the PS.SPEICHER collection and half from a private collector in southern Germany.
