Constant rain is not what you want for a classic car event. But unfortunately, the organizers can't always choose the weather. So when the "Friends of Nostalgic Cars" met at Triengen airfield on September 25, 2022, umbrellas and tent shelters were needed to avoid getting soaked through and through within minutes.
Created 47 years ago
The "Friends of Nostalgic Cars", or "FNA" for short, can look back on a long history. As early as 1975, a loose association was formed to bring together enthusiasts with cars that were barely recognized by the clubs at the time.
"All owners of cars from 1945 to 1960 and selected types from the early 1960s" were welcome and they came together at one or two meetings a year. Just one year later, Automobil Revue reported for the first time on one of these gatherings, which took place in Alpnach. At the meeting of the "Club der Clublosen", there was a wonderful mix of bread-and-butter cars from the fifties and sixties on display, as well as Americans, sports cars and cabin scooters, but hardly any pre-war cars.
The average age of the vehicles back then was probably around 20 years. And all were welcome. After Alpnach, the FNA members also met in Zofingen, Suhr and on a section of highway near Zug that had not yet been opened.
Aged and matured
Over the years, FNA members and friends have grown older, as have their cars. The association, which at some point became a registered society, has also matured. As early as 1999, the purpose was stated in the articles of association: "To promote the faithful preservation, ownership and care of nostalgic cars built in 1965 and earlier".
At that time, however, cars that were at least 24 years old were still welcome at the meetings. Today, the age limit is set at 30 years, but exceptions are made, especially when the weather is less favorable to the event, as the Renault Twingo and various Mazda MX-5s at this year's FNA meeting showed.
Even 30 years ago, the mix of vintages was significantly greater than at the beginning of the FNA events, and the average age of the classic cars gathered in Triengen on September 25, 2022 is likely to have been over 50 years old.
Interesting mix
Despite the smaller turnout due to the rainy weather, the 2022 edition also boasted a diverse mix of cars. Former bread-and-butter cars were well represented, such as a Ford Anglia from the 1950s or a Sunbeam Imp from 1970. The Beetle was not missing either, although the Golf 3 right next to it was rather surprising.
Americans have always been well represented at FNA meetings in the past, and September 25, 2022 was no different. And these cars are always good for splashes of color and design discussions.
Some pre-war cars also faced up to the rainy weather, even if this could demand considerable compromises from the crew.
Socializing and planting a tree
For those who had traveled to Triengen to take part in the 48th FNA meeting despite the bad weather forecasts, the important thing was, of course, to talk shop with colleagues over a (preferably hot) coffee or a bratwurst. The promised Antonov biplane could not fly due to the limited visibility and the steam train also received less attention than in other years.
Those who were keen to donate could take part in a campaign organized together with the O-iO and the Wohlen microcar meeting, the aim of which is to plant as many new trees as possible in and around Triengen together with the local forester. The minor CO2 emissions of the FNA participants were certainly soon offset
The "friends of nostalgic cars" have been on the rise again for a few years now and perhaps we should consider opening up more to youngtimers. Of course, 15-year-old cars today probably look much less nostalgic than the 1960s passenger cars of the mid-1970s, but it is the young cars that can also attract younger people.
