Some things were a little different than in other years at the British Classic Car Meeting in St. Moritz. For example, the event had a motto, namely "The Italian Job". And corona restrictions not only forced us to limit the number of participants, but also to take other organizational measures. But the event took place and for the participants it must have been one of the most beautiful events.
Corona in spite of
It takes around a year to prepare for the British Classic Car Meeting. It was easy to imagine the emotions that Peter Egli, Fabrizio D'Aloisio and Andrea Klainguti and all the other members of the BCCM organizing committee must have been going through over the last twelve months. Can it take place, what are the restrictions, will the participants come?
Despite all the obstacles, the event went ahead as planned with 100 participating vehicles. The weather played along and the Engadin showed itself from its best side.
Rally with oncoming traffic
As usual, Saturday was dedicated to the rally. Andrea Klainguti decided to only tackle the beautiful Alpine crossings around St. Moritz and then turn around again so as not to risk any foreign passages and corresponding problems with corona measures. This meant turning back at the Albula, the Bernina Pass and behind the Maloya.
This meant that the rally participants kept bumping into each other, which must have given some of them tennis elbow from the constant waving.
Concours d'Elégance in the garden
The Concours d'Elégance also had to be reorganized. It normally takes place in the middle of St. Moritz. To avoid large crowds, the beauty competition moved to the park of the Hotel Suvretta House.
The best golf turf and a breathtaking panorama were available there and there was just enough space for around 100 cars. The sun also shone on Sunday, making life easier for the organizing committee, as otherwise they would probably have had to pull one or two cars out again at the end of the event.
William Lyons and Donald Healey
Two Brits had a major influence on the 27th BCCM: William Lyons and Donald Healey. These two car enthusiasts are responsible for the early Jaguar up to and including the E-Type and the Austin-Healey sports cars. Cars from these ranks made up around two-fifths of the field of participants.
On Saturday and Sunday, many Austin-Healey 100s and 3000s were on display, including a rare 100 S.
The Jaguar E-Type was even better represented, with almost two dozen variants on site, from the earliest Series 1 to the late Series 3 V12. After all, 2021 also marks 60 years of the E-Type and 50 years of the E-Type V12, so it was fitting that a late model was honored in the Concours.
Theme "The Italian Job"
Some of the cars in attendance also fitted in perfectly with the event's theme, as the Jaguar E-Type played a role in the crook team's journey from England to Turin, and one of these E-Types was destroyed by the evil mafia types.
Lead actor Michael Caine, however, drove an Aston Martin DB4 Convertible and almost a sister model, a DB5 Convertible, also took a place of honor at the Concours d'Elégance.
The winner of the rally on Saturday was also an Aston Martin DB7 Zagato, which combines the Italian and British car traditions, so to speak.
"Best of Show" at the Concours d'Elégance, however, was an SS Cars SS1 from 1935, which was also crowned class winner in the pre-war automobile category. In the post-war class up to 1984, a Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupé came out on top, while a modern Aston Martin DBS Superleggera won.
Unfortunately, there were no participants who would have arrived in a suitable Mini, but at least an appropriate vehicle was driven to the hotel before the gala dinner.
Special features in the ranks
Of course, the three days were spent indulging in British culture and the car brands of the United Kingdom. Fittingly, Jane Owen, Her Majesty's Ambassador from the British Embassy in Bern, was also part of the jury. She gave a diplomatic speech at the gala dinner, in which she did not forget to mention that the automotive industry still plays a major role in the UK today and that relations between the UK and Switzerland are better and closer than ever.
In addition to the BCCM's core brands - Aston Martin, Austin-Healey, Bentley, Jaguar/Daimler and Rolls-Royce - there were also a number of vehicles from other manufacturers among the participants, which added a little more color to the whole entourage.
For example, a Riley RMC from 1950 caught the eye and an Alvis Speed 25 Charlesworth from 1936 impressed with its generous patina. Several MG sports cars met several Triumph TR models.
And a Range Rover and a Morgan Threewheeler provided additional splashes of color.
Back in the old style soon?
The adapted concept of the event proved its worth and it could well be that the Concours d'Elégance will be held in the Suvretta House garden again next year. The organizing team now has another year to prepare for the 28th BCCM, and participants can already look forward to it.
