Classic cars are more popular than ever: more than 700,000 cars older than 30 years are registered in Germany, reports the Federal Motor Transport Authority. From an engineering perspective, this speaks to the long-term quality of some cars. From an emotional point of view, old vehicles evoke the attitude to life of the past decades and radiate their owners back to their childhood or youth or even further. back.
Once the registration is more than 30 years old, car owners in Germany can apply for a coveted H license plate, the historic license plate. It declares classics to be technical cultural heritage that enjoys certain privileges. However, a report must first confirm that the old car is largely original and in good condition.
2024 will be a year of particularly colorful growth: in addition to convertibles – which account for almost 30 percent of all classic cars on German roads – early crossover models such as the 1994 Toyota RAV4 fun cruiser and family vans from Japanese and European manufacturers caused a sensation. The first examples are now classic cars. These are legendary Eurovans from Citroën (Evasion), Fiat (Ulysse), Lancia (Zeta) and Peugeot (806). Competed in the middle class Renault Laguna and Audi A4 (B5) in round shapes, guaranteed in the small class Opel Tigra Coupé and the first BMW 3 Series Compact (E36) Coolness.
Tempo was the trend in 1994, as was the new one Ferrari models F355 and F512 M and the fast-growing portfolio of the successful Porsche 911 (993) or the first BMW M3 convertible just like the Volvo850T-5R as the fastest Swede up to that time. Sport and Ford, that’s what the technically refined stood for Escort RS Cosworth. Otherwise, the Cologne volume manufacturer was greeted with surprise 30 years ago when it was the last Scorpion in a pompously round shape with googly eyes and fish mouth compared to the one that is also new Opel Omega (B) taken over. What no one suspected: Although the winner in this match based on sales figures, the Omega also said goodbye. Lancia, on the other hand, advertised its clearly designed model KappaLimousine as “Granturismo at its best”, but in the end this business liner managed to convince not too few buyers.
Europe grew closer together in 1994: the Eurotunnel between Calais in France and Folkestone in England was opened, Hungary applied to become a member of the European Union and people in Austria and Sweden decided to join the EU through referendums . With the technically updated six-cylinder sedan Volvo960 The Gothenburg car manufacturer made a new attempt across Europe in the race for parking spaces for political power centers and corporate palaces. However, national symbols of prestige continued to dominate there, as did V8s and V12s of southern German or British origin. Wanted to “redefine the world-class standard for luxury sedans.” Jaguar and Daimler with XJ series and Double Six. However, they only succeeded in the area around 10 Downing Street, where the pro-European Prime Minister John Major ruled.
In this country, Helmut Kohl remained chancellor of a CDU/CSU-FDP coalition – and his own – in the second federal elections after German reunification Mercedes S-Class (W 140) fidelity. The major facelift in 1994 aimed to make the flagship look slightly more elegant. The brand with the star countered this at the same time Lexus LS second generation, but especially the third edition of the BMW 7 Series (E38). For connoisseurs, BMW’s flagship combines elegance with high-tech (the first European sedan with integrated navigation).
Keyword high-tech: with this A8 In 1994, Audi finally anchored itself in the luxury class. The up to 5.16 meters long but slim A8 – successor to the unfortunate V8 – was the first luxury sedan with a lightweight aluminum body and all-wheel drive.
But which volume models were the trendsetters of 1994? Especially small cars like this VW Polowhich in its third generation was larger than a Golf I. But that too Skoda Felicia gained recognition as the first Czech development after the entry of the VW Group. The Hyundai accent surprised as the first compact export bestseller “Made in Korea” and the Mazda 323F like a small five-door coupe-shaped car. Nippon also remained at the forefront in the field of four-wheel drive: the new one Subaru legacy was on its way to becoming the most produced 4×4 car of all time, the new Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD triumphed as the unbeatable world rally champion, and off-road vehicle sales figures were anyway dominated by Suzuki, Nissan & Co.
Alfa Romeo aroused emotions because the brand also managed to present distinctive models with a sporty touch under the leadership of Fiat. For example, the compact types drawn by Ermanno Cressoni Alfa 145 and 146 or the parallel models designed by Pininfarina GTV and Spider.
The summer hits of 1994 such as ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ by Rednex or ‘Without You’ by Mariah Carey could often be heard from new four-seater awning supports: the little ones Fiat Punto on the Peugeot306 as the last convertible built by Pininfarina in Italy based on the classic Mercedes E200 (W124). And don’t forget the recently released one Saab 900 convertiblewhich to this day continues to play leading roles in TV movies and commercials.
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Source: Blick
I am Ross William, a passionate and experienced news writer with more than four years of experience in the writing industry. I have been working as an author for 24 Instant News Reporters covering the Trending section. With a keen eye for detail, I am able to find stories that capture people’s interest and help them stay informed.
