The mediocre weather on September 8, 2013 was at best a delight for the photographers at the Dolder Classics, as many small raindrops shone on the carefully polished classic cars at the event, which took place for the last time in 2013. And the puddles on the ground reflected the chrome and accents of the assembled cars. Good conditions for unusual photos.
Surprisingly high number of visitors
But anyone who expected that hardly any rare and valuable classic cars would find their way to the Zürichberg was mistaken. Of course, there were fewer cars than on a sunny summer's day, but among the many classic cars that braved the rain, there were a few gems that also caused the public to marvel or blink in surprise.
An emperor on the Zürichberg
Between 1945 and 1955, the American car brand Kaiser-Frazer (later also known as Kaiser Motors) built passenger cars and did so with some success! Nevertheless, today it is only known to connoisseurs.
A 1951 Kaiser DeLuxe, a breathtakingly elegant limousine once created by the talented designer Howard Darrin, could be admired on the Zürichberg. It is easy to understand why these cars were a sensation in the post-war years, as many competitors were still trying to bring the shapes and technology of the 1930s to buyers.
Over 60 years ago, a patent attorney in Switzerland bought an American car equipped with a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine and drove it to work every day. At some point, the vehicle, nicknamed "Anatomique", became obsolete and spent an unhappy time in a scrapyard until a new owner brought it back to its former glory.
"Actually, I only wanted to drive it out once more this year when the weather was nice," said owner Birrer, but now, after the visit to the Dolder in the rain, it will probably need another extensive cleaning and draining.
Around 35,000 examples are said to have been built, and the vehicle on display at the Dolder Classics is probably the only one of its kind in Switzerland.
The Fiat 1500 for the last journey
In our latitudes, it is mainly Mercedes and perhaps also American station wagons that serve as the basis for a hearse. In Italy, however, Fiat models were of course also popular. In 1965, Pilato built a hearse based on the Fiat 1500, which is said to have been the third conversion ever.
After extensive restoration, this Fiat with its unusual body now stood on the damp and wet concrete of the Dolder ice rink, reminding us of its last journey. Owner Wiedmer said: "I was so impressed by the movie 'Harald and Maude' that I decided to get myself a hearse and when the opportunity presented itself with the Fiat 1500, I jumped at the chance".
The fire messenger from the modern era
A Renault Fuego that had arrived in the afternoon was not quite in the target segment (vehicles up to 1977/1978). The youngtimer coupé, which was in beautiful condition, is already one of the rarities on our roads, even though it was sold successfully around 30 years ago.
Technically, the Fuego, which means fire in Spanish, was based on the R18, and in 1980 the car won the "Golden Steering Wheel". Over 265,000 units were built in France alone, with further production sites in Spain, Argentina and the USA.
Neither brand nor model focus
The Dolder Classics knows neither brand nor type priorities. On September 8, 2013, visitors were once again able to view an impressive range of vehicles, from Land Rovers and VW "Bulli" buses to the Lamborghini Islero and Maserati Kyalami luxury sports cars.
Also worth seeing were two Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupés and the Jaguar XK 120 with its rich racing history.
Of course, the jubilarian Porsche 911 was not to be missed and plastic exotics from Jensen and TVR defied the rain, as did the rare Fiat-Abarth 1000 Bialbero from 1963, which Theo Hofer once drove successfully in racing.
Two Alvis Graber Super allowed a direct comparison and one proud owner put his newly acquired Wolseley Special pre-war racing car on the track.
The organization team around Christoph Lehmann is already looking to the future, as at least four meetings are to take place on the Dolder ice rink again in 2014.
