The O-iO, short for "Oldtimer in Obwalden", would have to be invented if it hadn't already been held every year for two decades. In fact, on June 8, 2019, owners and drivers of old cars came together for the 20th time in Sarnen, the capital of Obwalden in Switzerland, to celebrate their love of old cars.
For the 20th time in Obwalden
Every year, organizer Ruedi Müller spares no effort to get the country and its people in the mood for his beloved hobby, classic cars.
The center of Sarnen is closed to general traffic, only classic cars are allowed in and can be parked - as parking is called in Switzerland - in full view of the many visitors.
Almost 500 cars from a wide variety of makes and eras drove in from the early hours of the morning in perfect weather conditions.
For all age groups
It's not just the mostly elderly classic car owners who feel at home at the O-iO, but also families with children and tourists who happen to be there. This is a major concern for Ruedi Müller, because the old cars should not just be a playground for the wealthy few, but a living mobile cultural asset that everyone can enjoy.
Children were allowed to ride on penny-farthings and whole families were able to take a seat on board the old cars during the passenger rides to experience for themselves what it is like to travel in a classic car.
Resting and driving
The O-iO is a combination of classic car meeting and driving parts. On Saturday, the passenger rides and then the 40-kilometre drive through the region allowed visitors to put their old car or motorcycle through its paces.
This concept is well received, and not just by the drivers. Spectators were everywhere on the roadside on Saturday afternoon, sitting comfortably on camping chairs to watch the cars pass by. Some were filming with their cell phones or taking photos with their 35 mm cameras so as not to miss anything.
Whole families clapped and cheered as the cars of all shapes and sizes drove past.
By the end of Saturday, thousands of people were likely to have come into contact with this natural classic car demonstration in one way or another. And there was great pleasure in the beautiful shapes and pleasant sounds. It was clear to see that the automobile is as much a part of our culture as newspapers, radio stations and hiking trails.
Two, three and more wheels
The O-iO is by no means just a party for car owners.
All means of personal transportation from past decades are welcome, including historic bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles and even tractors, trucks and coaches. And everywhere, owners eager to provide information were waiting to answer questions from passers-by.
Folk and rarities
There was more than enough to see, regardless of the viewer's particular preferences.
Of course, the VW Beetle was omnipresent as Switzerland's favorite classic car, but other everyday cars from the past, such as the various Opel models, Fiat 500, Ford T and A models or various limousines from Citroën and Peugeot, all came to Sarnen to show off.
In addition to former mass-produced cars, there were also rare one-offs and vehicles manufactured in very small series on display. One of them had the unusual name Opel Geländesport.
The model was presented for the first time in February 1936 at the German Motor Show. A total of around 15 vehicles were produced, the bodies were made by Autenrieth. Before the war, these cars with 2- and 2.5-liter engines took part in the off-road tests and reliability drives of the time, with some success.
Presumably only one of these vehicles survived, and it was precisely this one that could be admired in Sarnen. It was still in service at a glider airfield in the 1950s and was then rescued by an enthusiast. It has been in the family ever since and is carefully kept alive.
Mustang and DeLorean Festival
Two types of vehicle stood out in Sarnen, firstly the early Ford Mustang models, which formed something of a special show in the village center, and then several of the DeLorean DMC-12 sports cars, which became known to a wider audience with the films "Back to the Future".
Television attention on Sunday
On Sunday, the drive then took the participants from Sarnen to Beromünster. Unfortunately, the weather was no longer quite so summery, but the 400 or so old cars nevertheless withstood the rain without any problems.
The "largest classic car drive in Switzerland" received a lot of attention from the television stations SRF and Tele Züri, both of which reported on the second day in prime time. Organizer Ruedi Müller, who was even awarded the Sarner Kulturförderungspreis just before the event together with his partner Ruth Iseli, smiled afterwards that this should certainly not harm the mobile promotion of culture and the continued existence of old cars.
A total of around 600 vehicles took part in the O-iO, over 1500 people were involved in the event, and that's not even counting the passers-by on the roadside and those who happened to be there, as well as the residents of Sarnen and Beromünster. A really nice story that will hopefully be continued in the future.
