The O-iO, Oldtimer in Obwalden, has been around for 27 years. Since then, the event has been part of Obwalden's cultural landscape, has become a model for similar events and is now one of the most important classic car gatherings in Central Switzerland - with a reputation that extends far beyond the country's borders.
The 2026 edition was characterized by perfect, midsummer weather with temperatures approaching 30 degrees. It therefore seemed advisable to arrive early on Saturday morning. So many motorists had followed the urge to head south that long traffic jams soon formed around Lucerne. Only those who knew the shortcuts and were able to avoid long standstills were spared overheating problems. This was especially true for the many pre-war cars that had arrived. According to organizer Ruedi Müller, there were over 80 vehicles on the entry list - a considerable number given the total of around 500 vehicles, from small cars to full-size trucks.
Anyone arriving in Sarnen after 10 a.m. had to make do with a place on the sidelines. The event was fully booked long before the date anyway. The fact that the streets of the cantonal capital fill up so densely yet smoothly every year is nothing short of a miracle - made possible by the experienced work of the numerous helpers. Anyone who experiences the hustle and bustle during the course of the day inevitably wonders how it can work at all.
O-iO means "classic cars close to the people" - and that's exactly what you can feel in Sarnen. Here you meet a different audience than at comparable events. Of course, there are many enthusiasts among them, especially those who have traveled here with their vehicles. But they are joined by interested visitors with a certain affinity for old cars, which always leads to exciting conversations. People ask questions, explain things, open a hood here and there or point out the carpooling service that is offered on Saturday afternoons.
The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. However, if you're afraid of spotting a few children's hands on the paintwork in the evening, Sarnen is not quite the right place. There are no VIP zones, no red carpets and no cordons around the vehicles - and that's exactly what makes it so appealing. The interaction is respectful, and even children immediately sense that they are encountering something special here.
This is precisely the intention of organizer Ruedi Müller. As he emphasizes in the description of the event, he always expects around ten percent of the visitors to be children. The O-iO sees itself as a family event - and not just because of a few balloons or a bouncy castle. Perhaps the venue in the middle of the village also helps to ensure that everyone finds something to pass the time with.
Speaking of passing the time: the Sarner soapbox race took place again at the same time as the O-iO. 71 schoolchildren got down to work, built twelve soapboxes together and competed against each other on Saturday. Various craft businesses actively supported the project. Perhaps it is easier to get something off the ground together when you know each other, the environment is familiar and the universe as a whole seems a little smaller than elsewhere. After all, without broad local support, an event like the O-iO would simply not be possible.
This classic car meeting is far more than just a gathering of like-minded people at a specific location. It is an invitation from an entire region - from Sarnen and the canton of Obwalden - to friends of historic vehicles. Here, the automotive cultural heritage is actually celebrated. Doors and alleyways are opened, guests are welcomed and everything is done to make everyone feel at home.
And those who wanted to see a little more of the Obwalden countryside could take a leisurely ride along side roads. Some, however, preferred to stay a little longer in one of the cozy pubs, chatting with strangers and enjoying an atmosphere that could hardly be bettered.
Well - maybe one more thing: Tyrolean Schunkelmusik may be folk music, but there are almost 30 Obwalden folk formations that would have been a better fit if it was supposed to be rustic. And for a younger audience, a different DJ might be worth considering next time. Or - because you can never please everyone anyway - you could go for different styles with live bands at different locations. But that's just a tiny speck in the middle of a great picture. Oldtimer in Obwalden was also an event this Whitsun weekend. And just as Ruedi Müller always hopes, some visitors will have gone home from the 2026 edition with the intention of driving their own classic car when they grow up.
Speaking of offspring: When the author returned to his car, it had a flat tire. The hubcap had spun while driving and literally cut the valve. A very helpful young enthusiast with a well-preserved Volvo 240, which he had just bought three weeks ago, spontaneously offered to help. The DeSoto was back on the road relatively quickly. And the Volvo 240 with a factory-fitted front of the 264 in the hands of a young enthusiast is worth an article in the near future. So to sum up: the O-iO elixir seems to be working!
