Just one day after the record-breaking Street Parade with over a million visitors in Zurich, the Dolder Classics opened its doors on Sunday morning, August 12, 2018.
Of course, the crowds were somewhat smaller, but the ice rink was still well filled long before lunchtime. Those who arrived too late had to wait outside or in one of the - less attractive - outdoor areas. This put one or two old-timer drivers off, so that they left without having achieved anything.
Those who managed to get one of the coveted spots on the concrete area enjoyed the warm temperatures and strolled between the parked classic cars. And there was plenty to see.
Colors and shapes
As always, variety was the order of the day at the Dolder.
From former bread-and-butter cars such as the Opel Kadett, the VW Beetle or the Renault 4 to super classics such as an Alfa Romeo 2600 SZ or a Porsche 356 Carrera, there was something to make almost everyone's heart beat faster.
There was a riot of colors and shapes on the square that you hardly knew where to look.
From Dyck Castle to the Dolder
Certainly a rarity in Switzerland is the Ford Comète, a hybrid with American, French and Italian genes. The engine technology came from the USA, the design from Italy and the elegant coupé was built in France.
The restoration was completed just a few weeks ago, but the car has already been shown at the Classic Days at Schloss Dyck, where it also received an impressive trophy.
Interesting pairings
On the far right of the entrance, the attentive observer could discover some interesting pairings.
For example, two Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo, at the time a real rocket with 170 hp, stood next to each other in black and white.
And a few meters away, you could see two Opel Olympia cars from the post-war period in a twin line-up.
Of course, the two VW Beetles and the two Fiat 500s also fitted in perfectly.
The friends of the Volvo P1800 presented over half a dozen cars. The car became famous in our part of the world with Simon Templar, among others, and still has a loyal fan base today.
Cars and motorcycles
Christoph Lehmann, the enterprising organizer of the Dolder Classics, is known to have a soft spot for motorcycles. So it comes as no surprise that rare two-wheelers find their way to Zurich's local mountain time and again.
This time there were two MV Agusta bikes to admire, as well as a pony moped with a 50 cc engine, which many Dolder visitors rode in their youth.
Coming and going
Between the early hours of the morning and the afternoon, there was a constant coming and going on the Dolder ice rink, which is of course drained in summer.
The visitors hardly ever got bored, because as soon as they had enjoyed a coffee in peace and quiet, new cars arrived to replace the guests who had already left. The increasingly rising temperatures almost automatically ensured a certain change on the ice rink.
Nevertheless, nobody would have wished for rain on this day.
