The morning mist clearing over the Antwerp Expo from March 1–3, 2013, welcomed roughly 25,000 classic car enthusiasts to the 36th annual Antwerp Classic Salon (and the second time for us). Organised under the expert guidance of the SIHA team, the 20,000-square-meter venue transformed into a living museum. The unmistakable headline story of the 2013 edition was a grand celebration of a motoring legend (and our favorite car): 50 years of the Porsche 911.

A Half-Century of Stuttgart’s Finest. For petrolheads, walking into the main exhibition hall felt like stepping onto a sacred racing grid. The central marquee curated a breathtaking evolutionary timeline of Stuttgart's iconic rear-engined silhouette.

The technical variety on display was unparalleled, featuring pristine road cars alongside dominant, battle-scarred track weapons. Among the absolute crowd-pullers were the ultra-rare 1967 Porsche 911 R—a masterclass in factory weight-reduction—the legendary 911 SC/RS, and the raw, widened stance of the track-focused 911 RSR. For fans of raw motorsport theatre, the collection even extended to the brutal, flame-spitting Le Mans Kremer Porsche 935, showing off the extreme limits of the 911 chassis development.

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Beyond the glittering main displays, the salon’s soul thrived in the sprawling autojumble marketplace. Over 300 specialized exhibitors hailing from a dozen countries filled the tables with decades of greasy history.

It was the ultimate hunting ground for restoration purists. Collectors with dog-eared manuals bartered over numbers-matching mechanical components, obsolete workshop tools, and rare period literature. The vehicle floor itself offered a stark, beautiful contrast: on one side sat completely untouched, dusty barn finds waiting for their first restoration weld; on the other, flawlessly detailed, concours-grade investments ready for the open road.

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What truly makes Antwerp unique, however, is its fierce club culture. An entire hall was dedicated to Belgian and international vintage vehicle clubs, all locked in an official, highly creative battle for the "Best Club Presentation" cash prizes.

Under the watchful eye of a technical jury collaborating with the Belgian Federation for Old Motor Vehicles (BFOV/FBVA), the clubs didn't just park their machinery—they built theatrical time capsules. From vintage workshop recreations to retro racing pits, the immense effort and collective camaraderie proved once again that the Antwerp Classic Salon is fueled entirely by human passion, preservation, and the joy of the drive.

Here a short photo album, for more please check our twitter account #antwerpclassicsalon.