Held for the 30th time in 2018, the annual Techno Classica is the largest in-door classic car show in the world. During this year's editions the ever larger number of halls of the vast Messe Essen were filled by no fewer than 1,250 exhibitors and 200 clubs. Together they brought no fewer than 2,700 collector cars that ranged from Volkswagen Polos to exotics like the unique Carlton-bodied Mercedes-Benz SSK brought by the Louwman Museum. Over a five day period the 30th Techno Classica attracted close to 190,000 spectators. We were among them on the opening day and have returned with a 220-shot gallery with all the highlights we spotted.

Manufacturers have always had a major presence at the Techno Classica but their focus has gradually shifted from simply showing great cars from their respective history to an altogether more active role. This was also very evident in Essen The likes of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz already have a rich tradition of restoring cars but now you can also have your Lamborghini restored in-house. British rivals Aston Martin and Jaguar go even further with the introduction of continuation cars. At the Techno Classica we had the first chance to take a closer look at the 'new' Aston Martin DB4 GT. The example on display was equipped with all the options that include an off-white roundel. Across the isle, Jaguar displayed the Series 3 XJ6 restored to a higher standard than it ever was new for Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain.

A traditional fixture of the Techno Classica is the 'central feature' reserved for event organiser SIHA. This year's theme was Le Mans Legends. The result was a somewhat unusual line-up of sports cars that raced at Le Mans. Included were winning examples like the V12 LMR and Sauber-Mercedes C9. Also shown was a works Porsche 906 that was raced in period at Le Mans by American racing legend Peter Gregg and a rare two-litre, naturally aspirated Renault-Alpine A441, which won its class at Le Mans in 1975. A familiar sight for Le Mans regulars in the 1970s and 1980s will have been the Rondeau M378. Liveried in the ever striking Belga colours, this is the car with the most Le Mans appearances with no fewer than ten starts.

Among the most highly anticipated are the displays of the dealers. Swiss specialist Lukas Hüni always brings a fine selection of machines, headlined this year by the Saoutchik bodied Mercedes-Benz 680 S. Auctioneer RM Sotheby's was on hand to announce a new Techno Classica sale for 2019 and also showed the ex-Michael Schumacher Benetton B192 that will cross the block in Monaco in May. French company Ascott Collection brought a formidable selection of sports racers that included rarities like the Howmet TX and a Buick-engined, Momo liveried March 86G. Also on display was the 1970 Rally Monte Carlo winning Porsche 911 ST 2.3. Taking top honours in the Concours d'Elegance was the Zagato bodied Maserati A6G/54 brought by German specialist Axel Schuette.

As the organisers will be keen to stress, there is no equal for the Techno Classica. To a large extent this is a good thing as there are many interesting cars on display but it also seemed that every other car was either a Porsche 911 or a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. Despite the vast space available, some exhibitors also parked their cars so close that it was impossible to see, let alone photograph them. What we could shoot is included in our extensive, 220-shot gallery.