On May 26 and 27, 2018, the classic car scene and others interested in old metal met for the fourth time in Lucerne to indulge in their hobby indoors and outdoors at the Swiss Classic World.
Three fully occupied halls and an outdoor area where fire engines and classic car clubs met were part of the extensive range of sightseeing opportunities. The weather cooperated generously, with plenty of sunshine but also considerable temperatures.
Some exhibitors even wondered whether it might not be too nice and whether people would rather go to the swimming pool. In addition, the Motorwold Classics Bodensee took place at the same time, which naturally also acted as a crowd puller.
New visitor record
In the end, the fears proved to be unfounded, especially as a visit to the trade fair and swimming could easily be combined on a weekend. With over 12,000 visitors, the Swiss Classic World was able to set a new record; according to organizer Bernd Link, this figure was around 15 percent higher than the previous year.
For the exhibitors, however, it was more the purchasing power of the public that counted and this left little to be desired, as an impressive number of vehicles were sold over the two days, including a Ferrari 330 GTC, a Maserati Mistral and a Fiat Topolino.
High-quality displays
There was no shortage of high-quality vehicles, but of course not all of them were for sale - after all, a classic car show is not purely a sales event. There were several exceptional classics from the Fondation Renaud collection on display, including the technically impressive Maybach Zeppelin from 1934, which was certainly the king of the country roads with a displacement of eight liters, 12 cylinders, 200 hp and an automated eight-speed gearbox.
The Peugeot 402 Eclipse from 1938 was much more aerodynamic, but hardly less innovative, as it was the first car with a retractable metal roof and thus a predecessor of the American attempts of the 1950s, e.g. the Ford Fairlane, which offered something similar.
Across the Swiss classic car who's who
Of course, the dealers, who brought a wide range of classic cars from the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 to the Volkswagen Beetle to Lucerne, also provided many exclamation marks. One dealer even brought so many cars that they had to be parked so close together that it was almost impossible to pass between them. It is doubtful whether this is a particularly successful strategy, but at least the exhibitor saved a few francs by taking up less space.
Specialists for many brands were present, such as Niki Hasler (Ferrari), Dönni Classic Cars (Jaguar) or Autowelt Bachmann (VW/Audi), Eberhart Classic (BMW), but also brand-independent companies such as Lutziger Classic Cars, Franks Originale, Emil Frey Classics, Christoph Grohe, Oldtimer Galerie Toffen, MADmotors, Novidem, British Inter Cars, Schmohl and others.
With international participation
Not only Swiss companies exhibited their cars in Lucerne, but also internationally active specialists found their way to the heart of Switzerland. Ruote da sogno from the Modena region (Italy), last seen in Stuttgart and previously in Paris, exhibited a good dozen classic cars, including a beautiful yellow Dino 246 GT and a rare Alfa Romeo 1900 Berlina.
Leo Peschl had also brought two cars from Cologne to Switzerland, a Jaguar E-Type and a Maserati 3500 GT, to show local customers what he can offer.
The Swiss touch
Specialists, from restorers and saddlers to paint strippers, painters and other suppliers, demonstrated with multiple examples what can be expected under the Swiss seal of quality in classic car maintenance and restoration.
And some of them went home with new orders, so that the level of satisfaction on Sunday evening was generally high.
Montage Suisse as a special show
As is well known, Switzerland is not a country with many car manufacturers, especially not in the years after the Second World War. Although there were a few car manufacturers, such as Enzmann or Monteverdi, and the coachbuilders' guild was also well respected with Graber, Langenthal, Worblaufen, Beutler and others, the high labor costs in Switzerland, together with the scarcity of land, prevented car manufacturing from flourishing.
Nevertheless, a considerable number of cars were built in Switzerland after the Second World War and were assembled in Biel, Schinznach and Arbon. AMAG, for example, assembled American cars, but also VW Karmann Ghia in Switzerland, while General Motors assembled Opel, Vauxhall, Chevrolet or even specially created brands in Biel.
A special show by the Swiss Car Register was dedicated to this entire era, which not only featured cars from Swiss production. The people on the stand were also happy to pass on their considerable knowledge of this special phase.
The special atmosphere of the third hall
A very special atmosphere prevailed in Halls 3 and 4. On the lower floor, companies focusing on American cars displayed their cars and their skills, while a clearly laid out parts and automobilia trade was located above.
The American hall in particular was very different from the other halls. Of course, there were also true-to-the-original classics to admire here, but also new interpretations and technical refinements far removed from the original.
There was also a racing car sale downstairs in Hall 3/4.
Almost always without crowds
Despite the increased number of visitors, there were no large crowds and it was actually always possible to get close to cars and exhibits. Only those who wanted to get a bratwurst for lunch had to wait a little.
The distribution over three halls plus an intermediate aisle, as well as exhibition areas between and in front of the halls, including a fire engine meeting, ensured a good distribution of the visitor masses.
For some, the halls may have seemed a little empty as a result, but the exhibitors were able to see the positive aspects of this steady but never overflowing stream of visitors, as they always had enough time to talk to the people who came by.
Eldorado for photographers
For photographers, the wide distribution of visitors, who were often perceived as obstacles, also had advantages. In addition, there were many exciting objects for photo reports, such as the Lamborghini Miura S at Lutziger Classic Cars, which was only rolled in on Sunday and was certainly one of the most photographed cars.
The brute Mercedes 9 liter from 1912, which even made a few trips on Sunday with its four-cylinder three-valve engine, was certainly also exciting to photograph.
Vintage cars everywhere
The action took place not only in the halls, but also in between and in front of them. Between Halls 1 and 2, for example, there was a vehicle market with a wide range of cars on offer, from Aston Martin Lagonda to VW buses.
Meanwhile, classic car drivers and clubs parked their cars in front of the halls. On Saturday, for example, a caravan of Fiat Topolinos delighted the spectators.
And those who were enthusiastic about red commercial vehicles enjoyed themselves at the fire engine meeting, which attracted visitors not only with standing cars but also with vehicles, as there was a lively coming and going.
Swiss Classic Awards presented
On Saturday evening, the Swiss Classic Awards were presented at a dinner in Hall 2.
The internationally renowned car historian Ferdinand Hediger was honored with the Swiss Classic Life Time Award 2018, the "Swiss Classic Rookie Award 2018" went to the Youngtimer-Conection, the "Swiss Classic Door Opener Award 2018" was awarded to the "Oldtimer Sunday Morning Treffen" (OSMT). Finally, the "Swiss Classic Innovations Award 2018" was presented to "zwischengas.com".
After the trade fair is before the trade fair
While the exhibitors were still nibbling on the chocolate tool set they had received, Bernd Link was already thinking about the next trade fair in Lucerne. The exhibitors largely agreed that he was on the right track with his enthusiasm and creative drive, and they can look forward to the fifth event in a year's time with confidence. There will certainly be surprises in 2019 too, perhaps even more moving classic cars? There will also be another auction, which is sure to attract a lot of interest on Saturday evening.
