5. Classic Day — LWL-Museum Henrichshütte

5. Classic Day Henrichshütte — Classic Cars Meet Industrial History

When the LWL Industrial Museum Henrichshütte in Hattingen opens its gates for the fifth Classic Day on Sunday, July 19, 2026, two of the Ruhr area's most defining legacies will meet: the steel industry with its decommissioned blast furnace and classic car culture with hundreds of meticulously maintained vintage vehicles. The organizer is VAU-MAX magazine — a must-attend event for the VW classic scene and all classic car enthusiasts in the Ruhr area.

What does "brand-open" mean?

Unlike brand-specific gatherings, the Classic Day Henrichshütte invites all classic car brands. However, reflecting the VAU-MAX magazine's origins in the VW classic scene, the traditional focus is on the following model groups:

• VW Beetles of all model years
• Karmann Ghia
• VW Buses T1, T2, T3 (Bulli classics)
• Porsche 911, 912
• VW Golf 1, 2, 3 (Youngtimer generation)
• Classics from other brands: Mercedes Pagoda, BMW 02, Opel Manta, Ford Capri, British classics, etc.

There is no strict cut-off year — the organizer speaks of a *"perceived"* classic status.

Program — Show & Shine, Jury Judging, Top 20

Schedule for July 19, 2026

• 9:30 AM — Entry for participants with vehicles
• 11:00 AM — Official Opening
• 11:15 AM — Start of vehicle presentations on the Show & Shine stage with live commentary
• 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM — Jury judging of all participating vehicles
• 4:00 PM — "Top 20" Trophy Presentation
• 6:00 PM — Event End

Top 20 — The Trophies

Unlike traditional concours d'elegance with numerous categories, here 20 trophies are awarded in a single "Top 20" category. This makes the judging more focused and the competition more exciting. The trophy sponsor is the Essen Motor Show — underscoring the close ties with the national classic car scene.

The Setting — LWL Museum Henrichshütte

The LWL Industrial Museum Henrichshütte is one of Europe's most spectacular industrial museums. From 1854 to 1987, the Henrichshütte was one of the most important steelworks in the Ruhr area — today, the last remaining blast furnace stands as a walkable industrial monument in the center of the site. Vintage cars line up between the blast furnace, factory halls, and industrial archaeology — a photographic backdrop found only in the Ruhr area.

Hattingen — Half-Timbered Town with Steel Heritage

The town of Hattingen in the Ennepe-Ruhr district is the only German town that combines its medieval half-timbered old town with a preserved steelworks in close proximity. While the city center kicks off the season with the Spring Festival in April, the Classic Day in July is the second major summer event of the year. Getting there: A43, exit Bochum-Querenburg or Hattingen-Mitte, then follow signs to Henrichshütte.