The 31st edition of the British Classic Car Meeting took place in St. Moritz from July 4 to 6, 2025. The event was held under the motto "Billionaire Edition". This was a reminder of the flashy seventies and eighties, when you could still commute between New York and Europe in the supersonic Concorde aircraft, cell phones weighed several kilograms and everything glittered or looked golden, at least if you could afford it at the time.
Films such as Wall Street, Trading Places, Casino and Pretty Woman showcased this lifestyle and BCCM participants were encouraged to adapt a little to this era.
Continuity
The schedule of the three-day meeting was similar to previous years. On Saturday, the cars could be driven on the rally, on Sunday they rested on the occasion of the Concours d'Elégance. As Suvretta House is being renovated in 2025, part of the event entourage moved to Badrutt's Palace, while the drivers' briefing and opening evening took place on Friday after registration at the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski.
The gala dinner was then celebrated at Badrutt's Palace.
Good conditions for the rally
Although it still looked a little cloudy early on Saturday morning and the odd drop fell on the polished car bodies, the sun soon appeared and allowed open driving. The route led from St. Moritz over the Albula to Lenzerheide and Davos. Lunch took place in Klosters at the legendary Hotel Chesa Grischuna. The return journey led over the Flüla Pass via Zernez back to St. Moritz.
There were two classes with or without special tests. The routes differed for the two classes and from time to time you could wave to other participants in oncoming traffic.
Ferruccio and Tamara Nessi from Ascona ultimately emerged as the winners of the rally in their 1939 MG TB. Actually, a relatively underpowered pre-war car with cable brakes is not the perfect "tool" for winning regularity rallies, so the performance of the two Nessis must be given all the more weight.
Christian and Michaela Dierig took second place in their 1962 Austin-Healey BN 7, a car that once competed on the rally circuit.
Third place went to Rudolf and Barbara Hug, who also drove a vehicle ideal for rallies in their 1965 Austin Mini Cooper S.
About Schall
Those who had the pleasure of watching the cars pass by on the roadside during the rally were treated to a varied concert. The in-line six-cylinder engines that were standard in Jaguar, Austin-Healey and Aston Martin in the fifties and sixties dominated the scene.
Bentley also equipped models with this engine design, and the sounds made when revving up this drive are certainly among the most melodious in automotive history. The early Aston Martin DB2 was particularly impressive, with its wonderful trumpeting.
Of course, there were also other engine types to be heard, from four-cylinder to twelve-cylinder, everything was represented.
2500 km/h
In the seventies and eighties, the Concorde was the preferred means of public transportation for the world's rich and important. In ideal conditions, it managed the flight from New York to London in 2 hours and 55 minutes. Only a few were allowed to enjoy this premium product, which came with its own lounge and caviar on board. Fred Finn, however, flew 718 times on the Concorde. "It was my bus to work," grinned the miles millionaire in the elevator and on Friday evening he told the BCCM participants about his impressions of jet-setting in those days. Although he described the Boeing 747 as the most comfortable jet of all time, the time saved with the Concorde was more important to him.
Incidentally, he also drove a Lamborghini Countach, which he didn't like at all. He has since written a book about his life in an airplane called "Sonic Boom".
Beauty and elegance
On Sunday, it was all about design, condition and special stories when the 120 or so vehicles lined up in the pedestrian area of St. Moritz for the Concours d'Elégance. It was not easy for the jury to pick out the most beautiful and interesting vehicles and unfortunately some of the vehicles left the Concours too early.
In the pre-war class, the Lagonda LG 6 Sports Saloon from 1939 was ultimately crowned the winner, followed by the Derby Bentley and a Rolls-Royce Phantom II from 1931, which was converted into a hotel bus by Beutler in the 1950s.
Certainly a very special vehicle, whose large crew also won the "Best dressed" trophy.
In the large "Classic Cars" class with cars from 1949 to 1980, the Bentley R-Type Continental with Franay bodywork from 1954 came out on top.
The black coupé belongs to Thomas Henne, who with partner Barbara Wernle not only received the trophy for winning the class, but also the "Best of Show" award.
Second place went to a very original Jaguar E-Type Series1 4.2 from 1965, while third place went to the Aston Martin DB2 from 1952.
A special prize was awarded to Philipp and Maja Husistein because they bring extremely exciting vehicles to the Concours every year, especially as their Jaguar XJ-S is a pre-production model that arrived in Switzerland before the official launch and is extremely original.
In the "Young Classics" class with vehicles from 1981 onwards, the Bentley Continental won as a convertible from 1993 in a very elegant color combination.
Second place went to one of the two Aston Martin Lagondas, namely Stephan Sigrist's 1985 model. Both cars had come to St. Moritz on wheels and took part in the rally. The AM Lagonda embodied the motto of the 31st BCCM like no other car.
The third prize was awarded to one of the two participating Wells Vertige. This is a small series production from England, initiated by Robin Wells. Without any training in the automotive sector - Wells is actually a musician by profession - the car enthusiast decided to build his own sports car a few years ago.
Equipped with a Ford four-cylinder engine in front of the rear axle, the Vertige is a real driver's car with no ifs or buts. It's great that something like this can still be built and registered in England.
In memory of Ian Cameron
Ian Cameron has been a member of the Concours jury chaired by Marco Makaus for the last few years. About a year ago, Cameron was the victim of a violent crime at his home in Germany. The "Ian Cameron" Trophy was created in his honor.
The first winner of this traveling "trophy" was Peter Kappeler's Aston Martin DB2. Ian Cameron would certainly have enjoyed the "no fuzz" elegance and impressive sound of the DB2. The trophy was presented by his widow and son.
Loyal participants
With 31 events already under its belt, the BCCM itself is a classic car event. The meeting can count on very loyal participants who keep coming back.
This goes so far that the crew of a Jaguar XK140, who suffered an accident three years ago on their journey to the event, were finally able to start with a repaired vehicle.
Photos of almost all the vehicles can be seen in the picture gallery with over 260 images.
