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7 of our favorite classics at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Sep 13, 2017
Mazda Cosmo Sport
  • Mazda Cosmo Sport
    • Image Credit: Joel Stocksdale

    Not just new cars at the Frankfurt show

    The Frankfurt Motor Show is one of the big shows of the year where car manufacturers bring their latest and greatest machines. This year has been particularly memorable with a plethora of EVs, not to mention the stunning Mercedes-AMG Project One.

    Despite the focus on new cars, there are examples of old iron scattered about the massive convention center. Here are seven of our favorites from this year's show.
  • Mercedes-Benz C111 concept
    • Image Credit: Joel Stocksdale

    Mercedes-Benz C111 concept

    We'll start things off with beautiful C111 concept at the Mercedes building. Mercedes built a number of these and made tweaks now and then, trying out different things. At one point, the company tested out rotary engines with a C111. Besides being an interesting car technologically, it has loads of great styling cues including the gull-wing doors, big vents, and wedge profile.
  • Mazda Cosmo Sport
    • Image Credit: Joel Stocksdale

    Mazda Cosmo Sport

    Speaking of rotary engines, Mazda brought an example of its very first production rotary car, the Cosmo Sport. This particular model is a later one with a more stylish, better integrated grille. It used a two-rotor engine, and it happened to be one of the earliest production rotary cars across the board, not just for Mazda. The stickers on this example show that this one gets driven from time to time, having participated in a road rally this year.
  • Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar rally car
    • Image Credit: Joel Stocksdale

    Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar rally car

    Over at the Porsche booth was this famous Porsche 959. While any 959 is a treat to see, this one is particularly special because it participated in the grueling Paris-Dakar rally. A massive off-road race may seem like a strange place to take a Porsche sportscar, but remember that the 959 was developed for Group B rally racing, a series that ended before the car could compete.
  • Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 rally car
    • Image Credit: Joel Stocksdale

    Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 rally car

    The 959 might not have made it to Group B rally racing, but this Peugeot certainly did. The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 rally car was one of the greats from that wild era of rally racing, one that was banned after the series became too dangerous. Road-going versions of this race car are quite valuable as well. One sold for just under $200,000 at the 2017 Gooding & Company Quail Lodge auction.
  • Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk. 1
    • Image Credit: Joel Stocksdale

    Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk. 1

    Over at the Volkswagen stand, next to the new VW Up! GTI, was a beautiful example of the original Golf GTI, arguably the original hot hatch. Of course, since this was in Germany, the car is a European-spec model with round headlights. And yes, this had those awesome plaid seats.

    Volkswagen GTI Information

    Volkswagen GTI
  • Ford Fiesta
    • Image Credit: Joel Stocksdale

    Ford Fiesta

    One good hatch deserves another, albeit less exciting. This is a first-generation Ford Fiesta in pristine condition, and also a European model. Ford did import some of these early Fiestas to the U.S. though. As you probably guessed, that wasn't a particularly successful endeavor, since it disappeared until the introduction of the current generation on dealer lots now. If you're a fan of the Fiesta ST, as we are, this car deserves respect since we wouldn't have the ST without this model's, and subsequent versions', success.

    Ford Fiesta Information

    Ford Fiesta
  • Custom Mercedes-Benz SEC
    • Image Credit: Joel Stocksdale

    Custom Mercedes-Benz SEC

    Capping off our list of classics is easily the most absurd Mercedes we saw. It's a Mercedes-Benz SEC, and, well, you don't need us to tell you why it's crazy. It also features a period-correct cocaine white paint scheme with all the trim color-coordinated.
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