In almost ideal weather, the classic and modern classic car scene was able to prepare for the new season at the spring Veterama from April 25 – 27, 2025. The dealers’ sales areas were fully booked. As usual, our organizers on site at the gates once again managed to accommodate dealers who arrived spontaneously.
It was different on the marketplace for the complete vehicles and in the Veterama Show Arena – the vehicle exhibition. At some point, nothing worked there.
There was also a small bottleneck when around 500 Porsche drivers arrived with their vehicles. Although an area outside the Veterama had been allocated for these cars, the access route was the same as the Veterama entrance. This bottleneck was quickly resolved. As the Porsche vehicles gradually made their way onto the track, a great racing atmosphere á la Hockenheimring was created.
A special day for the traders is the now traditional Friday, when they can enjoy a bottle of beer or a good coffee in a convivial atmosphere after setting up.
This Friday, trade visitors will have access from 12 noon with the Premium Ticket for 3 days. By the way, we are even considering offering a single ticket for Friday. An Early Bird Ticket?
There is a very special atmosphere when the first “rusty parts” go to the customer during the set-up phase. And while the stands were already being diligently “fuggled”, the clubs were still setting up their stands in the pits.
Traditionally in pit 1 “The Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz” with the patent engine car and a Mercedes-Benz 190 2.5 16V in DTM style.
The Old Ford Friends with a Ford Escort in mint condition. The Zündapp KS Club with two extremely beautiful restored bikes.
The Friends of Historic Vehicles displayed beautifully designed information boards about the world’s first filling station.
This continued in pits 2 and 3. The Adler Club was particularly impressive with a whole range of motorcycles with the bird of prey on the tank. In the other pits, dealers with delicate, sensitive goods had set up fantastic stands. There were also a number of high-quality vehicles for sale in the pits.
On Saturday at 8:30 a.m., the gates opened for the Veterama visitors. Searching and finding, rummaging and bargaining. Just VETERAMA!
This is where the long sought-after carburetor was, or you meet someone who knows who might have it. The one spare alternator just in case… A slightly rusty mudguard, which can be turned into something with a little skill. The long-sought folding indicator for the “pretzel beetle”, which has to have a certain curvature to fit. But the enamel sign for the hobby garage or for the office was also on offer.
The great selection of food trucks with a wide variety of dishes was well received. There was an exuberant atmosphere here at lunchtime.
For all those who couldn’t carry their loot around the grounds all day, there was our “Service Depot”. Store them quickly and pick them up again later by car or on foot, free of charge of course.
Sunday started “Veterama like” a little later, or rather the customers come later than on Saturday. Sunday is always a good time to negotiate prices. Many dealers are happy when the last parts are still being sold. Sunday, and thus the early season of Veterama Hockenheim, passed in bright sunshine.
After Veterama is before Veterama, most of the places for Mannheim are already booked. And this year is a special VETERAMA year, because VETERAMA will be 50 years old in October. We will of course be celebrating this with everyone. We are already looking forward to celebrating with all VETERAMA fans.
We would like to thank all visitors and traders and look forward to October.
Best regards from the Autostadt Ladenburg.
Winfried, Marcel and Julia Seidel
