Leica Camera AG continued its successful collaboration with the Schloss Bensberg Classics in 2012. This year, the company from Solms in Hesse with a long-standing tradition of excellence in manufacturing photographic and sport optics products again has been partner of this premium event for classic automobiles that began with the help of Leica in 2009.

This year’s competitive events for the cream of veteran, vintage and classic vehicles took place in September against the imposing backdrop of the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg near Bergisch Gladbach in a programme comprising a ‘Rallye Historique’ taking vehicles constructed before 1979 on a tour through the countryside of the Bergische Land and a ‘Concours d’Elégance’ in which 40 automobiles are assessed in a total of 16 categories.

René Staud, a master of automobile photography, participated in the Concours in collaboration with Leica capturing the elegance and grandeur of the precious icons of automobile history. Staud and his team professionally captured the images of all cars with the Leica S2 in a mobile studio provided especially for the event. At the end of the event, the portraits of the classic cars where presented at the prize-giving ceremony and handed over to the participants in the Concours.

Dr Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG and himself a classic car enthusiast, awarded a special Leica prize in form of a unrestored Leica M6 for the Tablot Lago T26 Grand Sport – the car in “Best Unrestored Condition”.

Leica Camera AG supports other events of this kind to introduce lovers and collectors of classic vehicles to the pleasures of using premium-quality Leica products. Over the years, many Leica cameras have also become coveted collector’s items due to their unique design, as part of a special limited edition or a particular historical context.

– Leica Internet Team

Learn more about Schloss Bensberg Classics 2012 on their website.