Summer, with record temperatures exploited by the media, had already given way to fall on September 18, 2022. However, the rather cool temperatures below 20 degrees were perfect for a classic car event, especially as the sun shone almost constantly. Many classic car drivers and some youngtimers took advantage of the last opportunity to meet up again at the Albisgütli above Zurich.
Constant coming and going
The good transport connections and the absence of traffic jams made a visit to the "Albisgütli Classic Cars & Bikes" an informal and stress-free pleasure. Anyone who wanted to could have a photo taken of their classic car at the entrance, and even the photo stop did not cause any major waiting times. Thanks to attentive parking attendants, the generous parking spaces were just enough to accommodate the impressive number of old cars.
Exciting pairings
Partly by chance, partly perhaps arranged, visitors found interesting pairings all over the grounds. Brothers and sisters stood right next to each other, such as two early Ford Capri, two MGB GT and two - later even three - Citroën SM.
Two Volvo 262 Cs flanked a Volvo saloon and three Alfa Romeo Giulia saloons competed with each other. Two early Porsche 911s stood next to their 964 grandson.
But there were also more unorthodox pairings to observe, such as a Plymouth 'Cuda next to a Dodge Dart GT from the Chrysler Group.
The duo Triumph TR6 and Datsun 240 Z was not only contrasting in terms of paint colors. Here, an English roadster stood side by side with the car that had more or less single-handedly brought about the end of the English roadster.
The two pillars of the VW empire for at least six decades, the Beetle and Golf, also stood side by side. And there was also a pair of Saab 96s, separated by probably a decade of construction time.
Everyday heroes of yesteryear
For many who strolled through the rows, the former bread-and-butter cars were also always worth discussing. For example, you could spot a Ford Taunus 12M, a Peugeot 203, a DKW F93, several Citroën 2 CVs and VW Beetles.
An early Renault 5 attracted many admiring glances, along the lines of: "It's nice that someone looks after it so well."
There were even everyday cars from even earlier decades to admire, such as the Seat 850, the Fiat 500 C Belvedere or the even older NSU/Fiat 508 Balilla or Opel P4.
Peugeot's last mid-size car with rear-wheel drive, the 505, is also almost extinct today. But a well-kept example came to Albisgütli, as did the unsuccessful flagship called the 605.
Exotics in a multipack
In addition to the former everyday cars, some rarities also arrived at the Albisgütli. For example, you could see an AMC AMX, an early Ford Cortina Lotus, a Bristol 503, a Ford OSI 20M TS and a Renault 5 Turbo.
Some exotic cars were even seen more than once: two Jensen cars and three Lotus Elan cars, two of which were Sprint models in identical colors but with different wheels.
Rare pre-war classics lined up next to rare post-war cars, and the mix of colors was the salt in the soup anyway.
Above all, you could see satisfied and smiling faces, the last Albisgütli meeting in 2022 could not have been much better. Next year (2023) it will continue in the same style. You can look forward to it!
