Perhaps the author is a little biased because he has a high regard for the city of Vienna and naturally also likes classic cars. However, a mixture of both passions seems obvious. The opportunity to do so presented itself at this year's Vienna Classic Days, which took place on August 24 and 25, 2024. These are intended as a touring and sporting event with a special stage and should be held as comfortably as possible, i.e. without stress and hectic. The older the registered vehicle, the lower the entry fee. It also decreased with the length of the journey to Vienna.
Around 200 teams had gathered for this event, which has been taking place in and around Vienna for 35 years. On the first day, the first task was to explore Vienna's local mountains and the Höhenstrasse. In the late afternoon, the traditional classic car parade took place on Vienna's Ringstrasse. On the second day, a quiet Sunday morning, the teams drove through the streets and alleys of Vienna's city center as a "rolling automobile museum", past magnificent buildings and sights, before finally gathering for a leisurely picnic in the Donaupark.
Harmony
Let's start our visit with the classic car parade on the Ring. Well before the parade started, the sides of the Ringstrasse began to fill up with onlookers. And after the police had cordoned off the access roads, the convoy - escorted by police motorcycles with flashing blue lights - was able to set off on its double circuit of the Ringstrassee. The visitors were presented with a truly colorful picture.
The oldest participating vehicle, a Citroën A 10 HP, was from 1921, a Dort Touring was only two years younger, and the youngest vehicle was a Mercedes-Benz SLK from 1998. There is no doubt that the pre-war vehicles harmonized particularly well with the historical surroundings, even if they were comparatively rare.
The field of participants was diverse in terms of car brands and body shapes. A BMW Isetta and a Cadillac Series 62 rolled along the boulevard alongside various Jaguars and a Rolls-Royce. Various Volvos and Alfa Romeos passed by the spectators and the rare Lea Francis brand was represented by two examples. The small Steyr Puch 500 represented the Alpine Republic, so to speak, and a post bus from Gräf & Stift was also present. Most of the teams came from Austria, but there were also a few cars from Germany. Probably the longest distance was covered by a Mercedes-Benz "Ponton" from Bielefeld, which also proves the existence of Bielefeld.
Even on this late afternoon, the outside temperature was still 33 degrees in the shade, giving participants with a convertible, roadster or Jeep a clear advantage. Given the heat, it was easy to understand why a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL with its gullwing doors open passed the spectators.
Overall, there was a relaxed and positive atmosphere at the parade and you could feel how much the public enjoyed the passing classic cars. The parade on the Ringstrasse thus clearly demonstrated that - at least temporarily - rolling cultural assets and the historical ambience of a cosmopolitan city complement each other perfectly.
Picnic
The second day of the event was once again characterized by midsummer temperatures. The organizer had set up an attractive picnic area for the participants in the spacious and well-kept Danube Park in the immediate vicinity of the Danube Tower.
The classic cars and their crews gradually arrived from the city center. Numerous visitors to the park took the opportunity to take a closer look at the classic cars parked in a long row and perhaps strike up a conversation with the drivers.
The author also observed the events from the café in the revolving tower, which always offers wonderful views over the city and the Danube landscape. Meanwhile, down below, the classic car owners sought out a shady spot for a picnic in the green and were able to refresh themselves or enjoy refreshments at various stands. In the end, visitors and participants were able to enjoy a successful garden party in a relaxed atmosphere. Our verdict on the Vienna Classic Days: A tasty Viennese melange!
