Anyone who doesn't believe that the classic car scene is sensitive to the weather would certainly have been proven wrong at the Albisgütli Classic Cars & Bikes on October 1, 2023. The rush was record-breaking. The first participants arrived even before the official opening at 09:00, and the steady influx hardly ebbed away afterwards.
Shortly after 10:00 a.m., an additional parking lot had to be opened, which had never been needed before, and even this filled up completely. Any gaps that opened up were quickly filled again. In the afternoon, there were traffic jams instead of an influx of people leaving, partly because the traffic lights under the Albisgütli really only allowed traffic to pass "dripping". Self-induced traffic jams, e.g. at the camera spot, also had to be untangled.
But on this beautiful fall day with T-shirt temperatures, no one could stay angry for long. And the fact that there were (almost?) enough sausages and drinks in stock right up to the end certainly helped to create a good atmosphere.
Huge spectrum
With over 1000 vehicles, the selection of classic cars was naturally enormous. And because cars kept coming and going, you had to explore the various parking lots several times if you didn't want to miss anything.
While the oldest cars were over 100 years old, the youngest were probably barely 20 years old. Germany and the USA were particularly well represented, but Great Britain, France and Japan were also well represented, while Italian drivers were attracted to an event in Kemptthal exclusively for their vehicles.
Nevertheless, a number of Alfa Romeos and the odd Ferrari found their way to the Albisgütli.
Everyday cars and absolute exotics
As always at these brand-independent and informal meetings, it was the mix of former bread-and-butter cars and rare exotics that made the walk through the rows particularly exciting.
Of course, there were many VW Beetles on site, and there was also a large selection of Opel vehicles. The 2 CV and the R4, for example, from French car production were also on display, as was a Simca Aronde.
The Ford Mustang was also a car for every day in the USA. Many had found their way to Zurich, and there was also no shortage of British classics such as the Austin 1100/1300 or the Mini.
Right next to them, however, one repeatedly came across particularly rare classics such as the Facel Vega Facellia or the Riley RMA. An OSI Ford 20M TS and a Vanden Plas Princess with a four-liter engine could also be seen.
And those with a taste for the exotic were able to inspect an authentic Cadillac hearse, for example.
Side-by-side model comparisons
At various points, visitors could compare cars from one or more manufacturers, showing them how the vehicles and model ranges have developed.
For example, an MG TC and an MG A stood next to each other and showed how much the design language changed from the T series to its successor.
The Willys-Overland Jeepster and the Plymouth Prowler, both leisure vehicles for a very special clientele, once fulfilled a similar requirement.
Bristol's objectives had also changed completely. While the 403 still followed the laws of aerodynamics and had an in-line six-cylinder engine under the hood, a powerful Chrysler V8 was installed in the Bristol 411, making a streamlined shape less important.
A few steps further on, you could look at the development of the cult sports car from the 911 G model to the 993 or compare the roadster philosophies of Jaguar in the 1950s with those of BMW in the 1980s.
In any case, there was plenty to discuss.
Young and old
The classic car scene likes to worry about the lack of new blood. At the Albisgütli, however, there were quite a few young people, some of whom were even behind the wheel.
And it wasn't just youngtimers that these young people seemed to be interested in, but classic cars over 50 and older. That's a good thing!
A classic car rally could hardly find better conditions than on October 1, 2023; everything was just right. A good omen for the subsequent Albisgütli Classic Car & Bikes events in 2024.
P. S. Instead of long descriptions, let the pictures in the extensive gallery do the talking .
