In Detroit it rains on average 11 days a month, in Los Angeles the average is three rainy days at most.
In the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland, it looks similar to Detroit, but somehow on Sunday, May 7, 2017, it felt like there should be significantly more. Because in recent years, rain has always fallen when the American Live event was on the program. "May is the new April", you could hear the murmur in Oensingen.
Perfect organization
They had everything under control, the organizers of the "Friday Night Cruisers". They had found their way back to the tried and tested area in Oensingen, had developed a workable traffic concept, provided sufficient parking spaces and ensured that there was no shortage of food.
Only one factor eluded the planners: the weather. And once again, Peter did not prove to be a friend of glistening chrome fittings and shiny coats of paint at the 34th American Live.
Rain, rain
And it rained again and again throughout the day, not only in Oensingen, but also where the potential American Live visitors were supposed to drive off. So you couldn't blame anyone for leaving their carefully polished classic at home in the dry garage.
Some at least arrived in a modern American - preferably a Mustang, Challenger or Camaro - others perhaps in a Japanese private car, discreetly parked outside. But many probably didn't come at all.
In the dry in the warmth
Those who came anyway had a good time in the marquee. With popular prices - hamburgers for CHF 8.00, steak with potato salad CHF 16.00, mineral water or beer from CHF 5.00 - you couldn't complain, especially as entry and parking were free. Of course, it was much more comfortable in the tent than at the stands outside, but then you couldn't see the beautiful cars. Shortly after lunchtime, the site speaker announced that it had stopped raining and that it would be quiet until around 5pm. But a few moments later, another (small) shower fell on the site.
You could already feel it on the way there: in other years, the highway was much more crowded with American steel than on this day.
Shapes and colors
Those who were not intimidated by the weather got to see a lot despite the generally smaller turnout.
Generally speaking, it was more younger classic cars that were on display, but you also came across the muscle cars of the 1960s, the gleaming chrome road cruisers of the post-war era and, of course, the pickups and trucks that are a must at an American get-together.
Instead of many words, however, we have poured our impressions into an extensive picture gallery (with almost 120 pictures) , which for once is completely public and can be enjoyed without restrictions.
