The British Car Meeting in Mollis took place for the 39th time on August 26, 2018. As always, it was perfectly organized by the Swiss TR Club and the weather was unexpectedly good.
British weather announced
A week earlier, the weather had looked like it would be very wet and even when setting up on the Saturday before the event, the helpers were still damp. However, the skies in the Glarnertal cleared in time and allowed the sun to exert its warming (and drying) effect.
This meant that, as usual, some of the cars could be parked on the grass without the need for dozens of tractors to pull out the often rear-wheel-drive Brits. Although there was some wheelspin here and there, the ground dried out quickly and did not pose any insurmountable difficulties even for light vehicles with minimal tread on their tires.
Full house
The parking areas on the grass were also indispensable, because thanks to the sunny but not too hot weather, at least as many British fans flocked to Mollis as in previous years, so that it can be assumed that over 1200 vehicles gathered.
Rolls-Royce brand of honor
Special guest was the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club, which occupied the space in the center. There were classics such as a Phantom II from the pre-war period or the widely known Silver Shadow, which was manufactured from the 1960s onwards.
Although this was not a real model show, the diversity of the brand's more than one hundred years of history would probably have quickly led to space problems in Mollis. Nevertheless, many a brand fan would perhaps have liked to see one or two of the brand's classics on site.
Diversity in every respect
Once again, it was the variety that impressed everyone in Mollis. Whether super classics like a Bentley Continental or former everyday cars like a Morris Minor, they stood side by side just like centenarians next to almost-new cars, or gray mice next to colorful tie-dye boxes.
It was a pleasure to wander through this almost completely British mix and more often than not you heard the comment here and there: "I had one of those once ...".
Disappeared brands
Typical of the BCM, as the meeting is called for short, are the many missing stamps that are recalled in Mollis. On 26 August 2018, these included Alvis, which will be next year's guest of honor in Glarnerland together with Bentley and the associated clubs.
Vauxhall, Austin, Morris, MG and Triumph, to name just a few examples, have also disappeared from the new car market. But in Mollis they were revived to their former glory, standing side by side with their brand colleagues and delighting young and old alike.
Just drop in
The BCM is one of those informal meetings. The participants arrived sometime between early in the morning and mid-afternoon, parked their cars on the grass (or the asphalt track) and then explored the other vehicles. Around lunchtime, they would treat themselves to a bratwurst or other refreshment, supplemented by a more or less alcoholic drink.
And like-minded colleagues were found almost by themselves, of course. Meanwhile, children bounced on the rubber castle or had their father explain the strange cars to them.
Reunion
2019 will mark the 40th anniversary of the BCM. We can already look forward to seeing what the organization team comes up with for the anniversary event.
How about several garden pubs where you can watch the passing cars over a glass of red wine or a small course where classic car owners can take other visitors for a test drive?
