SCHLOSS BENSBERG CLASSICS.
News.

Lamborghini celebrates its 50th birthday with a special exhibition at Schloss Bensberg Classics.

Bensberg, June 2013

Just like last year, there will once again be two attractive and high-quality special exhibitions at the 5th Schloss Bensberg Classics. One of these can now be revealed: to mark the 50th birthday of the Italian marque, a unique collection of early Lamborghini one-offs will be showcased, which are sure to significantly increase the pulse rate of lovers of thoroughbred super sports cars.

Besides the 350 GTV, the first ever Lamborghini, we can also expect the 400 GT Flying Star, a two-door sports estate from 1966, the Miura Roadster, which has already thrilled the general public and jury at the 2011 Concours d’Elégance, the Marzal, a prototype from 1967 with glass gull-wing doors and ultra-flat front end, and the Bravo, the ‘little brother’ of the Countach, which was unveiled in 1974, but never actually went into production.

In addition, on Saturday, 7 September 2013, there will be an exclusive talk evening with interviews and rare historical film footage. We can expect some fantastic contemporary witnesses from five eventful decades of Lamborghini history – including designers, engineers and constructors who have all helped to create the Lamborghini legend.

The birth of the bull.
The Lamborghini era began 50 years ago with the 350 GTV.

Bensberg, June 2013

An absolute one-off is being showcased at the Schloss Bensberg Classics 2013 in the form of the 1963 Lamborghini 350 GTV: it is the car that launched the era of the fascinating Italian sports car marque.

It all began when Ferruccio Lamborghini, a successful tractor manufacturer from Emilia-Romagna, was dissatisfied with his Ferrari and also felt – so the legend goes – that Enzo Ferrari had not treated him fairly. He then decided that he would build his own super sports car, with twelve cylinders and breathtaking coachwork, just like his rival from Maranello, but slightly better quality with a little extra horsepower.

To realise his project, towards the end of 1962 he secured the services of two top young engineers who already knew one another from Ferrari: 38-year-old Giotto Bizzarrini had previously worked on the Ferrari 250 GTO; Gian Paolo Dallara was already considered a technical genius at Ferrari despite being just 23 years old. Lamborghini gave designer Francio Scaglione the nod within a week to design the coachwork.

Ferruccio Lamborghini didn’t like the finished 350 GTV. The front was too pointed, the back was too angular and too glassy, and the pop-up headlights were too unusual. What’s more, the twelve-cylinder engine designed by Bizzarrini proved to be too bulky to fit under the bonnet of the prototype known internally as ‘Tipo 103’. But the 1963 Turin Auto Show was fast approaching and there was no more time for modifications. As a result, the 350 GTV was presented without an engine and subsequently radically overhauled for series production. The lines of the 350 GT were softer and, with its modified roof design, even the perfectionist boss was impressed with every aspect of the car.

The engine was especially loved by Ferruccio Lamborghini: it was a high-speed, high-tech masterpiece, with 3.5-litre cubic capacity and an output of 347 horsepower. Further features included aluminium crankshaft housing, press-fitted cast-iron cylinder liners, dry-sump lubrication and a camshaft drive via duplex roller chains.

The 350 GTV, however, was stored in a far corner of the new factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese after the motor show. It has been in the hands of a Lamborghini enthusiast since 1985 – and in 2013 it will delight the general public at the Schloss Bensberg Classics with its unique aura.

Starting shot of the Schloss Bensberg Classics
at the Techno Classica.

Bensberg, April 2013

193,000 visitors, 1,250 exhibitors from over 30 countries, over 2,500 vehicles: this year’s Techno Classica was again a top-quality event – and provided the perfect surroundings for the official starting shot of the Schloss Bensberg Classics 2013. 

As part of the classic car world fair, the Schloss Bensberg Classics 2013 was publicised to the lovers of classic cars. At the Volkswagen Classic stand the Schloss Bensberg Classics team provided visitors with all the information on the Concours d'Elegance and Rally Historique. And the concept attracted a lot of interest, with the first applications for participation coming in. 

On the trail of the Schloss Bensberg Classics.
Exclusively for classic car clubs: the Classic Rallye package.

Bensberg, January 2013

Pure driving pleasure, wonderful landscapes, a splendid atmosphere and culinary delights – the Schloss Bensberg Classics is a fascinating experience for all participants. From 2013 this experience will also be exclusively open to all classic car clubs: as part of a two-day package, club members can set off together on a Classic Rallye through the Bergisches Land. The really special thing is that the drive features all the route highlights of this year’s Schloss Bensberg Classics.

The Rallye:
During the Classic Rallye, participants go on a 200-kilometre tour through the charming Bergisches Land. Gently rolling hills, picturesque meadows, vast forests and idyllic villages: it’s not for nothing that this region is also known as the 'Tuscany of Germany'. The seldom travelled and meandering back roads are perfect for setting off on an unforgettable Classic Rallye together. The route was drawn up by Christian Schön, who is also responsible for designing the Schloss Bensberg Classics route, and features all the route highlights of this year’s Rallye Historique.

The supporting programme:
Not only the route, but the entire programme closely follows the format of the Schloss Bensberg Classics. For instance, there is a rustic barbecue on the first evening, the start and finish line is in the inner courtyard of the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, and Rallye participants enjoy a Bergisch lunch during the stopover at the Schlosshotel Lerbach. The ceremonial highlight at Schloss Bensberg is the award ceremony as part of a gala dinner, during which the participants are spoilt with a premium programme of culinary delights.

The Classic Rallye package in detail:
 Two nights in a superior room, including breakfast
- Road book with individual editorial and club logo
- Polo shirt and cap with exclusive embroidery
- Rustic barbecue on the day of arrival
- Bergisch lunch at the Schlosshotel Lerbach
- Award ceremony with champagne reception
- Gala dinner at the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg
- Optional: photographs taken of the participating vehicles by a renowned automobile photographer

The prices:
- From €750.00 per person in a double room
- From €900.00 in a single room

The Classic Rallye package can be booked from spring 2013. The offer is subject to availability and is open to groups of at least 30 people.

We are looking forward to your inquiriy by phone +49 2204 42-0 or via E-mail.

The 4th Schloss Bensberg Classics enthralled
more than 5,000 visitors.

Bensberg, September 2012

Extraordinarily beautiful automobiles, many celebrity participants, the magnificent atmosphere, wonderfully blue skies and a new visitor record: that was the 4th Schloss Bensberg Classics. More than 5,000 lovers of historical automobile came to the high-class event. As the winning vehicle in the Concours d’Elégance was celebrated with a firework display on Sunday afternoon, the general public and industry insiders all agreed that this was the best Schloss Bensberg Classics to date.

To the image gallery >

The field of the Concours d’Elégance featured an exclusive selection of the most beautiful automobiles in the world. The celebrity jury under the chairmanship of Dr Paefgen chose the winners in a total of 18 categories. The jury’s special prize went to the 1965 166P/206P.

To the Concours d’Elégance winners’ list >

Almost 90 wonderful classic automobiles set off in glorious sunshine on a 200-kilometre tour through the Bergisches Land and caused a stir wherever they went: a number of celebrity pilots sat behind the wheels, including Hollywood star Jürgen Prochnow, racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck and the actors Herbert Knaup, Helmut Zierl and Erol Sander – some of whom achieved surprisingly good placings.

To the Rallye Historique winners’ list >

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to all participants, partners and guests who made a significant contribution to the success of this event. We are already very much looking forward to the 5th Schloss Bensberg Classics and would be delighted to see you in September 2013.