The Geneva Motor Show was canceled again in 2021, but Karl Bieri was able to step into the breach with his Auto Zürich and present many new products. The four-day new car show also featured many classic cars, not only in the specially designed Classic Hall (6), but also in other halls.
Even at the preview on November 3, 2021, it was clear that this trade fair would be a success. With 45 brand presentations, 80 premieres and new products, interest was guaranteed.
Over 50,000 visitors ultimately streamed through the halls from November 4 to 7, 2021, despite the 3 G restrictions. The 850 test drives offered on 16 different electric vehicles were particularly popular. Karl Biere could be proud of what was on offer.
Classic hall with an attractive range
In Hall 6, which was specially designed for classic cars, around a dozen and a half exhibitors showcased more than 50 classic cars, as well as several classic (and modern) motorcycles. The Classic Hall was the most cheerful and colorful of all the halls and was also an exciting change of pace for those interested in new cars.
Some stands stood out with very special exhibits. Lutziger Classic Cars, for example, displayed the Maserati 450 S, one of the most beautiful racing sports cars of the 1950s.
At Porsche Classic Zurich, there was a variant of the 904 Carrera GTS with a six-cylinder engine and Le Mans history to admire.
Eberhart Classic presented an extensive BMW selection, while Kestenholz was dominated by the stars and Niki Hasler naturally focused on the Ferrari horse.
The Touring Garage showed a wide range of cars from pre-war cars to bread-and-butter cars.
At Dönni Classic Car AG, two Jaguar vehicles were of course waiting for interested buyers, while Pfenniger Sportscars focused on more recent icons such as the Audi quattro and the Lotus Esprit.
Emil Frey Classics caused quite a stir with a Fiat Topolino and an Aston Martin DB5 Convertible from 1965 in particular.
The House of Cars was also able to offer a broad selection in terms of age, with the Dino from the early seventies standing out in particular, while the Meany as a mid-engine Mini built in 2018 in a classic livery certainly caused some discussion.
Even more classics
However, the old cars not only cut a fine figure in Classic Hall 6, but also in other halls.
Kessel showed a beautiful Ferrari 275 GTB from below and from above.
At Emil Frey, the Land Rover, which was once used by Winston Churchill, attracted a lot of attention.
A restored Volvo P1800 and an Amazon station wagon under construction were also among the tuning vehicles.
The autobau Erlebniswelt provided four sports and racing cars.
At Opel, the Manta GSe formed the bridge between old and new, so to speak, but as a restomod with an electric motor, it certainly raised the eyebrows of traditionalists in particular.
But even in the world of new cars, there is room for classics, even if they are still freshly built. The Caterham Seven 170, for example, is a reinterpretation of the car that was already on the roads in the late 1950s and the Morgan roadsters still look almost the same today as they did 80 or more years ago.
Anyone who strolled through the well-attended halls in Zurich-Oerlikon from November 4 to 7, 2021, would be up to date with what is on offer in Switzerland in terms of new and old cars by the end of the tour. And who knows, maybe one or two people interested in a new car really were inspired to buy a classic ....
For all friends of the old car who stayed at home, we recommend the virtual tour through the Zwischengas photo gallery.
