Auto Magic

Classic Remise Düsseldorf has carved out a unique niche in the world of vintage transportation

- Dan Booth

There’s something enchanting, almost mystical, about the marriage of sculptured steel, curving glass and sparkling chrome that is the automobile. Throughout the history of the motor car, an infinite variety of shapes, colors and styles of driving machines have graced the open road.

This automotive gestalt became something more akin to a spiritual experience the moment I walked into the expansive covered hall of the Classic Remise Düsseldorf.

The vast number of vintage automobiles on display was impressive, to be sure. But more awe inspiring was their sheer splendor – timeless masterpieces of the automotive art, everything from Italian roadsters to American muscle cars – all looking shiny new and showroom fresh regardless of their age.

Classic Remise – in German the word means “coach house” – is certainly the most unusual auto showroom I’ve ever seen. Actually to call it merely a showroom doesn’t begin to capture the feel; it’s as much a museum, art exhibit and event space. This is definitely not your Uncle Fred’s used car lot. From the outside the structure is big, but unprepossessing. Inside is a different world.

The 1930s building was once a locomotive roundhouse; steam engines were driven onto a giant turntable which trundled around to point the locomotive toward one of two dozen engine stalls where maintenance on the beast was performed. With the advent of diesel and electric motive power for the railroads, steam disappeared and with it the need for such facilities.