34th Federal DRK Vintage Car Meet Paderborn

The History of the DRK on Wheels

The Federal DRK Vintage Car Meet is a special event: Red Cross members from all over Germany travel with their historic emergency vehicles to a different location, chat, exchange spare parts, and present their collections to the public. In 2026, the 34th edition will take place from May 14th to 17th (Ascension weekend) in the Paderborn district of Sande – hosted by the Paderborn DRK local chapter.

Around 30 Vehicles from 100 Years of DRK History

Approximately 30 historic DRK vehicles will gather – from the 1930s to the 1980s. The range includes:

• Ambulances – various generations, from pre-war Mercedes models to VW T1/T2 "Bullis" and 1960s Citroën ambulances
• Kitchen Trucks – mobile field kitchens for disaster and large-scale operations
• Communication Construction Vehicles – early mobile communication centers
• Motorcycles – paramedic motorcyclists

These vehicles are rare today. Anyone who wants to see an early DRK ambulance in action has a rare opportunity here.

Around 180 Participants from All Over Germany

About 180 Red Cross members – schoolchildren, active members, retirees – will travel from all over Germany. The meet is a "family reunion of a sub-culture": technical preservers, restorers, collectors, along with the paramedics who drove these vehicles during their active service. Four days of exchange, remembrance, and technical discussions.

Program Highlights for Visitors

Thursday, May 14th, 2026 (Ascension Day)

• Arrival of participants
• Setup at Sande village square
• First informal gatherings

Friday, May 15th, 2026

• Complete vehicle exhibition at the village square
• Workshop demonstrations
• Open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, May 16th, 2026 — Highlight

• Vintage car tour through the Paderborn region – a convoy of historic DRK vehicles through the area
• Stop at the DRK "Heart Saver Day" on the Sande Schützenplatz – first aid refreshers, resuscitation exercises for citizens
• Evening celebration for participants

Sunday, May 17th, 2026

• Last day of exhibition
• Award ceremonies
• Departure of participants in the afternoon

DRK "Heart Saver Day" — The Citizen Touchpoint

Embedded within the vintage car meet is the "Heart Saver Day" on the Sande Schützenplatz. The DRK trains citizens in resuscitation, AED operation, and the recovery position – with the aim: everyone can save a life. An important public health initiative that connects the vintage car meet with contemporary relevance.

Paderborn-Sande — A Westphalian Village in a City's Guise

Sande is a district in western Paderborn (district designation "Paderborn-Sande"), with a rural character, its own village square, its own club structure, and its own Schützenplatz. Paderborn itself (approx. 156,000 inhabitants) is the largest city in East Westphalia, a former bishop's seat, and home to the Archdiocese and the University of Paderborn. The vintage car meet is deliberately held not in the city center, but in the district – the village square atmosphere is part of the concept.

Paderborn DRK Local Chapter

The event is organized by the Paderborn DRK Local Chapter e.V., part of the nationwide Red Cross. The local chapter has put the meet up for bid nationwide for 2026 – each year a different DRK local chapter hosts. It is an honor for Paderborn to host the event, with the support of the City of Paderborn and local clubs.