When Classics Shine in the Rain

A Look Back at Arden Classic Day 2026 at Zelem Castle

The Arden Classic Day 2026 at Zelem Castle is now behind us—and we can look back on a special day filled with extraordinary vehicles, many encounters, and interesting conversations.

Despite the changeable weather, around 400 classic and modern classic cars were counted at Zelem Castle throughout the day. Time and again, new classic cars rolled through the entrance to the historic grounds, creating a varied scene around the castle.

We were particularly pleased that so many participants traveled such long distances to attend. Guests from Denmark, Switzerland, France, England, and Scotland made their way to Burg Zelem. It’s a wonderful sign of just how far the enthusiasm for classic cars and the Arden Classic Day has spread.

We would also like to thank the many clubs that had already registered their vehicles in advance. Some of them had to cancel their participation at the last minute due to the weather. This makes us appreciate their great interest in and connection to the event all the more.

The rain did nothing to dampen the mood at Zelem Castle. Amid extraordinary vehicles, live music, coffee, snacks, and lively conversation, a relaxed atmosphere took hold. When the sky finally cleared up a bit later that afternoon, the paint and chrome began to shine even more brilliantly against the historic backdrop of the castle.

Special thanks go to all the volunteers, the entire Arden team, our friends, and our family, who contributed to the success of the day with their dedication and passion.

Outlook

The next Arden Classic Day will take place in 2028. We are already looking forward to welcoming numerous classic cars and their owners back to Zelem Castle.

In 2027, the focus will initially be on Open Monument Day, when Zelem Castle will be open to visitors. In the future, these two events will take place alternately. This means there will be a special occasion to visit Zelem Castle every year—one year celebrating classic automotive culture, and the next year focusing on the castle’s history and architecture.

In the end, one thing stands out above all else: Thank you.

Thank you to all the participants and visitors who made the Arden Classic Day 2026 a special event, even in the rain—with extraordinary cars, wonderful conversations, and genuine enthusiasm for automotive culture.

We look forward to seeing you again at Zelem Castle.

Founder and managing partner is looking for a successor.
Interested? Please write to [email protected]

Zelem Castle—A Thousand Years of History Booklet

Join us on a journey back in time to the early Middle Ages and discover the story behind Zelem Castle and entrepreneur Jochen Arden

has to offer. Across 70 pages featuring glossy photos and texts on history and legends, you’ll learn everything about this until now largely unknown

a former knight’s estate in the heart of the Düffel landscape in the Lower Rhine region.

You can purchase the booklet for €15.00 plus €4.80 in shipping costs within Germany through the Burg Zelem Foundation, [email protected]

50 Years of Arden Booklet – Expanded Second Edition

Five decades of Arden in a high-quality booklet: The expanded second edition of the “50 Years of Arden” booklet offers a unique insight into the history, evolution, and identity of the Arden brand.

From classic Jaguar and Range Rover models to iconic Arden radiator ornaments, as well as special awards, milestones, and insights into select Arden events—this booklet tells the story of a brand that has stood for bespoke automotive customization, quality craftsmanship, and distinctive design for decades.

The issue is complemented by insights from Arden Headquarters as well as a look at the brand’s international presence. Each issue is personally signed by Mr. Arden, making the booklet a special collector’s item for Arden customers, automotive enthusiasts, and lovers of classic car culture.

The booklet is available in German or English. Please specify which version you would like when placing your order.

Preview of the German Edition
Preview of the English edition

View the booklet in the store

Parts Sales

Due to a restructuring, we are offering our entire parts business for Jaguar, Land Rover, and, to a limited extent, Mini—including the molds for body parts—for sale. Body parts for Jaguar models such as the XJ Series 3, XJS, and vehicles from the 1990s are in particularly high demand. Arden will focus more on the production of complete vehicles in the future. If you are interested, please contact us at 01728094411.

Podcast with Jochen Arden

Listen to the “Alte Schule” podcast now. In this episode, Jochen Arden is interviewed about the origins of Arden and other interesting topics.

Heinz Mack and the Legendary Jaguar E

For Heinz Mack, the car is the “most perfect kinetic object” in the world. For Jochen Arden, the car is “the most successful symbiosis of design, emotion, and technology.” In 1968, in his highly acclaimed and award-winning film “Tele-Mack,” Heinz Mack drives a white Jaguar E Roadster down the highway. Jochen Arden still owns the same Jaguar E-Type model today. More than fifty years later, the world-famous artist and the celebrated Jaguar expert are dedicating a short film to this special make of car. Cars like the Jaguar E-Type are now considered works of art and can be found not only in the garages of private collectors but also in museums such as MoMA in New York or in the major exhibition “PS: I Love You” at the Museum Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf.

DAKAR III – the new SUV alloy wheel from Arden

DAKAR III is the name of the latest alloy wheel from customization specialist Arden Automobilbau GmbH. And the name itself hints at the intended use of this cast wheel, which was designed specifically for SUVs. Available in two different bolt patterns and in the 10×22-inch ET40 size, this alloy wheel is a perfect fit for Jaguar and Land Rover SUVs. With 16 slender spokes and finishes in Matte Black and Gunmetal Gray, the DAKAR III is a real head-turner that sits flush in the wheel wells of the F-Pace, E-Pace, I-Pace, Evoque, and Range Rover.

Arden Customization and Tuning – for Jaguar, Range Rover, Bentley, and MINI

We harmonize elegant British design with German engineering. Sensitivity and precision are perfectly balanced in the refinement of high-quality original vehicles. Whether it’s a Jaguar, Range Rover, Bentley, or Mini Cooper, Arden adds the finishing touches to your vehicle with dedication and attention to detail.

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