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Just over a week left until I’m in the car and on the way to Essen for the 2013 Techno Classica. It’s my seventh successive year attending the event, and I’m not bored with it yet.

Porsche Classic will also attend the world’s largest classic car show from April 10-14, 2013. Stuttgart’s stand will again form part of the VAG exhibition in Hall 7 and pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911.

As well as a restored 356B Carrera GT, four 911s will be brought to Essen. Leading the classic charge is a 1964 example currently being restored by Porsche Classic and a 1965 example, straight out of the museum. I’m guessing that’s the grey and red car: always a popular headturner.

The 911 Turbo Cabriolet concept from 1981 will also come to the stand. Porsche don’t say exactly, but I think is the ‘Studie’, which was extremely well received on its debut and pre-empted the return of the first drop-top Porsche for 18 years, in the shape of the 911 SC Cabriolet.

Essen always has a slightly boutique feel, with the jumpers-over-shoulders crowd looking around for ways to spend their money. So Porsche will also show a 991, specially equipped to present the range of factory personalisation options. The Turbo Cab is a clever way to link the slender early 911 to the bulbous 991.

Coming to Essen? We’ll be there on Thursday and Friday. This year’s Ferdinand road trip will take place courtesy of a Porsche 996 Carrera 2 owned by Specialist Vehicle Preparations, one of the UK’s Twinspark Racing Garagistes. I’m expecting to help some beer fulfil its destiny over the four days we’ll be in town.