Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015 - a village in racing fever

Name: Jaguar XK 120 1950
Brand: Jaguar

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Created on September 28, 2015

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

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Bruno von Rotz

139

Stefan Fritschi

Bruno von Rotz

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Stefan Fritschi

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Jaguar XK 120 Alu (1949) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Alpine A362 Formula Renault (1971) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Downhill racing cars were greeted with the cowbell - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Opel Rekord C (1968) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Opel Manta A (1974) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Sauber C9 (1989) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Sauber C5 (1978) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Amweg-BMW Formula 2 (1976) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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March - BMW 76S (1976) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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March - BMW 772P Formula 2 (1977) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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MGA Racing (1956) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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MG A Wagner SP1 (1959) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Marcos 2.0 BMW (1966) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Sunbeam Alpine 260 (Tiger) (1965) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Jaguar XK 120 DHC RHD (1954) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Jaguar XK 120 FHC SE (1952) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Jaguar XK 120 aluminum (1949) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Jaguar XK 120 (1950) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Worried look to the rear, this is probably not how a warm engine should behave - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Jaguar E Type (1962) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Reliant Scimitar GTE Special (1976) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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BMW 2002 Tii Warsteiner (1974) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Opel Kadett C Coupé (1979) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Mercedes Coupé 300 SL (1956) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Porsche 356 Super 90 (1962) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Porsche 356 Carrera GT (1958) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Porsche 356 B Racing (1963) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Porsche 911 S/T 2.3 (1969) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Porsche 924 (1979) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Ford Escort RS 2000 (1979) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Fiat Abarth 850 TC (1967) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Lancia Fulvia Coupé (1972) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Lombardi Grand Prix BMT (1970) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider (1962) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV (1980) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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De Tomaso Pantera GTS (1972) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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De Tomaso Pantera GT (1972) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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De Tomaso Pantera GT5 (1983) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Lamborghini Countach 400S (1979) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Ford T-Racer (1917) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Ford A Speedster (1930) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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American La France (1915) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Critical looks in the pre-war veteran - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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La France Type 12 (1917) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Schawalder explains the technique of his LaFrance for the umpteenth time - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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American La France (1919) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Bentley (1922) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Bugatti Type 37 A (1926) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Bugatti 35 B (1932) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Bugatti T 35 B (1929) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Bugatti T59 (1934) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Maserati 8CM (1933) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Maserati 8CM (1933) - dirty at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Fiat 500 Abarth (1972) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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NSU 1200-TT (1971) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Simca Rally 2 (1974) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Simca Rally 3 (1976) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF (1971) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Alfa Romeo GTA Junior Corsa Autodelta (1968) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Triumph Dolomite Sprint (1979) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Opel Kadett C GT:E 1000 series (1978) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Talbot Sunbeam Lotus (1980) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Lotus 26 Elan S1 (1964) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Lotus Europa S2 (1969) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Ford Falcon (1965) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Lotus Europa Prototype USA-Exportm (1971) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Porsche 911 Carrera (1974) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Porsche Carrera RSR (1972) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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BMW 320 Group 5 (1977) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Schai-Spezial DKW (1964) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Fiat 8V (1953) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Ginetta G12 (1967) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Crosslé 9S (1966) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Simca Deho 1100 (1947) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Zarp Formula V (1966) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Hemmerle WH 85 (1985) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Cooper F1 (1965) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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March 742 Atlantic (1974) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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RALT Formula 2 (1977) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Mustang (1969) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Chevrolet Corvette C1 (1960) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Dodge Charger 440 R/T (1970) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Shelby Cobra 427 S/C (1968) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Shelby Cobra S/C 427 (1966) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Toyota S 800 (1966) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Puma GTS (1978) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Puma DKW GT (1967) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Enzmann 506 (1957) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Enzmann 06 (1961) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Renault R8 Gordini R (1969) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Renault Alpine A110 (1976) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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A village becomes a paddock - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Renault 5 Turbo2 (1985) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Descent in front of a full crowd - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Home article stores can also benefit from and enjoy the racing fever - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Classic on the roadside - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Coupé (1963) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Mazda Cosmo 110S (1968) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Mazda Cosmo (1968) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Triumph GT 6 MK2 (1969) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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BMW 503 Convertible (1959) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Jaguar XK 140 (1955) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Ford Fairline 500 Retractable (1959) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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MG Midget Series TC (1947) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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MG TA (1937) - in the vintage car corso at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Plymouth 2430 C (1963) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Chrysler Windsor (1961) - in the vintage car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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VW Beetle (1967) - in the vintage car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Borgward Isabella (1955) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Simca Aronde Etoile 6 (1961) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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VW Beetle Cabriolet (1973) - in the vintage car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Rolls Royce 20/25 3 Position (1934) - in the vintage car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Buick D45 (1916) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Fiat 500 L (1970) - in the vintage car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Fiat 500 L (1970) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Fiat 500 L (1972) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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JAWA 600 Roadster (1940) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Spatz 200 (1956) - in the vintage car corso at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Little sparrow next to fast Maserati Bora - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Spatz 200 (1956) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Race cab in action - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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The Lamborghini was the most popular race cab in action - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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MG A (1959) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Indian Scout 101 (1929) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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BMW Kneeler Side-car (1962) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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BMW R50S racing team (1962) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Moto Guzzi Dondolino (1946) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Honda CB 400 CR (1975) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Benelli Corsa (1970) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Sunbeam 8 (1937) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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MV Agusta 350 S (1972) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Motobi Zanzani Corsa (1957) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

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Bildergalerie Bergrennen Steckborn-Eichhölzli 2015 - Rennfelder 1, 3 und 4

In dry and pleasant weather conditions, the 2015 Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb took place for the third time as a memorial for classic sports and racing cars.

Jaguar XK 120 Alu (1949) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

60 years ago

The first Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb was held in April 1955. 120 cars were registered at the time, and thousands of spectators lined the route on Saturday for the training runs and on Sunday for the races. The original race track was 3.5 kilometers long and the difference in altitude was 143 meters.

A complete success, but it was not until 1962 that the hill climb was held again, on "White Sunday", which probably angered some Steckborn residents. In any case, the hillside between Steckborn and Eichhölzli was to remain quiet for 45 years before a memorial for classic vehicles was organized for the first time. The event was repeated in 2011 and on September 26 and 27, 2015, the Steckorn anniversary hill climb was finally held, 60 years after the first event.

At the start again

There were many parallels to the historic hill climb races, even though there was no timekeeping. The number of visitors was particularly high on Sunday, with around 8,000 race fans on both days according to the organizers. Instead of 120 vehicles, 290 were registered, including many motorcycles and an extensive corso.

Downhill racing cars were greeted with the cowbell - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

Although the route was slightly shorter than 60 years ago, the layout had hardly changed, with the exception of a few tight chicanes. No expense had been spared to make the track as safe as possible. Thick straw bales, tire stacks and slowdowns in places where speeds would otherwise have been too high minimized potential incidents and ultimately led to an accident-free weekend.

The two Jaguars of 1955

The winner in 1955 was called Jaguar and it was precisely this vehicle, a Jaguar XK 120 from 1950 with an aluminum body, that returned to Steckborn in 2015, driven by Christian Jenny.

Jaguar XK 120 Alu (1949) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

And as if that wasn't enough of a highlight, the second car from that time, also a Jaguar XK 120 from 1950, but with a steel body, also returned to Steckborn and Georg Dönni, dressed in authentic clothing, clearly enjoyed driving the classic XK 120.

Jaguar XK 120 (1950) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

Still at the wheel

However, it was not only cars that celebrated a reunion with the challenging hill climb circuit, but also drivers. Anton Schai, for example, drove his 1964 home-built car through the same bends that he had mastered in an Alfa Romeo in 1955.

Schai-Spezial DKW (1964) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

And he was just one of a handful of veterans who returned to the mountain near Steckborn.

Jockel in an Opel

Many celebrities had gathered in Steckborn, perhaps the most prominent driver was Le Mans winner Jockel Winkelhock, who bravely drove an Opel Manta A from the Opel Classic pool up the track and wholeheartedly praised the event. It is one of his favorite events and he hopes that he can return to Lake Constance many more times, he said in an interview with the track announcer.

And of course he was not the only prominent racer to travel to Thurgau, as Lienhard, Amweg, Hotz and many others were also there.

Opel Manta A (1974) - at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

Sympathetic sparrow

Four racing fields passed by the audience, from brute pre-war American LaFrance to modern super sports cars, there was everything to admire. There was also an extensive corso with all kinds of special features that you don't see every day, such as a Jawa 600 Roadster from 1940 or a Spatz 200 from 1956, which Heinz Forster had received on his 11th birthday, undriveable and in need of restoration.

Spatz 200 (1956) - in the vintage car corso at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

Many years were to pass before the Spatz was reborn in new splendor. Forster has remained faithful to it to this day and delighted the audience in Steckborn with its pleasant single-cylinder two-stroke sound.

No effort spared

Some of the participants spared no effort to show their historic racing cars to the Thurgau public. Kurt Hasler, for example, had only returned from the Grossglockner Grand Prix at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning and set off again early in the morning to drive to Steckborn in his pre-war Maserati Monoposto.

Maserati 8CM (1933) - dirty at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

There was only enough time to change the nozzles (due to the different altitude above sea level), but not to clean the car, which was covered in fog and wet.

A village in racing fever

It felt as if the whole village was involved in the hill climb. The stores created a racing atmosphere with model cars and other reminiscences from the old days. The paddocks were set up in the alleyways and the pre-start was in front of the school building.

Jaguar XK 140 (1955) - in the classic car parade at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

Anyone who had something to sell put a price tag on it. And anyone who owned a house right next to the racetrack invited their friends, sat on the garage roof or in the garden to watch the action on the racetrack.

Home article stores can also benefit from and enjoy the racing fever - Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb 2015

Hopefully again in four years ...

The audience and drivers agreed that the Steckborn-Eichhölzli hill climb is one of the most enjoyable classic car events of its kind, so we can only hope that the next event will perhaps be held in 2019. Before then, however, the outgoing president told the track announcer's microphone that they wanted to go over the books again. Thanks to the good weather, the plan probably worked out in 2015, but the weather is not always as kind as it was this year.