I was thinking that I could take my lovely wife to a big European event to have a look at some cars and see which colours really grab me. The obvious one that sprung to my mind was Techno-Classica Essen in April, I'm thinking there would be a fair bit of SL content there so stand as good a chance as any of seeing the colour schemes that I like.
Dear Scott,
Good evaluation.
But the best opportunity is certainly not the TechnoClassica.
Why? Too few Pagodas, too far away from each other (one here, one there...) and especially the artifical light in the halls which will give you something but not the impresstion of what a paintcode really looks like under natural daylight.
If you want to see many Pagodas, not just 20-30 or so, you have to visit the yearly German SL Club Pagoda Annual Events, which usually take place every second (?) August weekend at changing places throughout Germany.
Next year, however, i.e. 2017, it will take place in Davos, Switzerland. Perhaps a nice vaccation trip for you and your wife ...?
About 120 - 170 Pagodas are usually around on these Events.
If you like to get an impression what that is about, see here:
http://slpagode.mercedes-benz-clubs.com/Jahrestreffen/Bilder+Willingen+2013/356/de/001or here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/slclubpagode/sets/72157671612373170/or related links there.
This gives you a pretty good overview of the array of colors and what the cars look like.
It's a good starter.
But nothing can top it when all the cars stay together for the farewell Sunday morning at these Events before everybody departs.
This is always an excellent opportunity especially for visitors to see as many different Pagodas, originality details, talk to the owners etc. as possible.
Good luck,
see you in Essen on the TC next April !
Best,
Achim