When exhibitionism was still allowed

Daniel Reinhard
05/31/2019

In 1979, exactly 40 years ago, the manufacturers still allowed a look under the dress.

Autosalon Genf 1979

The cars were displayed like exploded views on the then still relatively simple trade fair stands and technology enthusiasts were given lots of information about the hidden components of the new products.

Autosalon Genf 1979

It was actually a very interesting presentation, which is unfortunately hardly used today. At most, the technical innovations are shown as computer graphics on a screen or tablet.

Times have changed and the big car shows are now struggling to survive. But perhaps it is precisely because, apart from the forms already familiar from the Internet, there is not much else of interest on offer.

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, tell me who is the fairest of them all

Daniel Reinhard
05/30/2019

A famous quote from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". Three reflections of cars in cars with their different statements.

The Audi Q3 SUV in the VW Karmann Ghia shows how the body shape of the front end with cooling openings and headlights in particular have changed in around 50 years.

On the occasion of the Mille Miglia (2019) in Brescia, the black Mercedes 300SL reflects one of its great rivals of the time, the Porsche 356.

Two luxury sports coupés with an 18-year age difference: the Ferrari 330 GTC from 1966 is clearly recognizable in the Delehaye 135M Sport Hebmüller Coupé from 1948:

Twice vintage 1938, but different wheels. The spoked wheel of the Delehaye 135M is reflected in the hubcap of the Lancia Astura:

Usually the eye sees much more in reflections than can be perceived by the camera. In addition, there are all the disturbing secondary reflections that unfortunately so often make a picture of this kind impossible.

These images, which are not normally photographed and shown, are nevertheless funny when you can look at them together like this.

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No matter what, the main thing is original

Daniel Reinhard
05/29/2019

This sensational Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti was rightly proclaimed the winner of the "Best of Show" at the Villa d'Este a year ago.

Villa d'Este Ferrari 335

A newly discovered, historic photo of the car suddenly revealed a small seal in the radiator grille that had never been seen before. Nobody knew what it was or where it came from. But it was visibly attached to the car.

In order to really have the car in its original condition, this seal was of course needed. So a similar one was copied, then the grille holes were counted on the photo so that the "fake seal" was really attached to the same grille bars, exactly as in the photo. The car has now probably increased in value. But what if the car was confiscated by the "Guardia di Finanza" with this seal? In my opinion, originality should also have its limits somewhere.

Our report on the Concours d'Elegance of Villa d'Este with over 200 pictures can be found here.

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Calafell and the Riverside Crazy Car Hop

Dieter Grewe
05/28/2019

Impressionen von Calafell (© Dieter Grewe)

Calafell, a pretty town 65 km south of Barcelona, is still almost in hibernation in May. And suddenly it starts: engines rattle, backfires are provoked, V8 noise thrills fans of large-volume and ancient engines, the smell of gasoline is everywhere! A real treat!

Impressionen von Calafell (© Dieter Grewe)

We found this event on the Internet by chance and now we are there, in Calafell with our little motorhome. Even the good old Ford Transit sounds like a V8, but only because the exhaust is due to be replaced soon.
"RIVERSIDE CRAZY CAR HOP", a really fitting name for three days of fun with hot rods and rock'n'roll.

Impressionen von Calafell (© Dieter Grewe)

The spectacle takes place right in the port of Calafell.

Impressionen von Calafell (© Dieter Grewe)

An underground parking garage serves as a hall for lovingly restored American treasures and various stores with the corresponding devotional objects of this community.

Impressionen von Calafell (© Dieter Grewe)

Old American classics from all over Spain and Catalonia are represented.

We also buy a flashy swimsuit and Hawaiian shirts, always accompanied by cool music and the wonderful sound of the engines.
The 1/8 mile time trial on the harbor promenade is particularly fun, the hot rods race individually and stop precisely!

Impressionen von Calafell (© Dieter Grewe)

Private showpieces of the scene are positioned along the dignified marina - simply fantastic!

Impressionen von Calafell (© Dieter Grewe)

The canned music gives way to a professional disc jockey, the highlight is a groovy rock'n'roll band, and Elvis dancers and more dance the night away.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the surrounding area, not everywhere can cope with the immense rush, but we only met friendly, smiling people, we like the Costa Daurada - clean, spacious, friendly... a good mix.

A super meeting that we will definitely visit again, even if sometimes originality is not taken so seriously, as this Karmann Type 34 proves:

Impressionen von Calafell (© Dieter Grewe)

In general, you wonder what the otherwise so strict ITV allows, but that's how it should be! By the way, you can find more of these cool events relating to classic cars in Catalunya on the agendamotor.es website

All pictures can also be found in larger resolution here.

This is a reader contribution from Dieter Grewe. Thank you!

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Patina? A cultural asset on wheels worth protecting?

Bruno von Rotz
05/27/2019

Sunbeam Imp von 1970 an der Swiss Classic World Luzern 2019

Anyone wandering through the halls of Swiss Classic World last weekend could also discover this white-painted Sunbeam Imp on the SHVF stand. The Sunbeam Imp, which was also sold as a Hillman, was the Roots Group's answer to the Austin Mini in the 1960s, but had the engine in the rear and powered rear wheels.

The theme on the windshield was "patina" and, on closer inspection, the signs of ageing were indeed visible. For an almost 50-year-old everyday car, however, the now rare Sunbeam looked very sprightly, although it would probably be denied the privileged veteran registration (H registration in Germany) in Switzerland. A few small dents, edge rust on the wheels, wear and tear from the luggage rack and a few more minor ailments would probably prevent the inspector from seeing this classic as a well-maintained car worthy of protection.

Motor des Sunbeam Imp von 1970 an der Swiss Classic World Luzern 2019

And although the interior is in very good condition, the cardboard door panels are a little worn and the paint has faded.

Türverkleidung Sunbeam Imp von 1970 an der Swiss Classic World Luzern 2019

Of course, the car could now be restored, but the cost would probably be beyond its value even after the paintwork.

But wouldn't repainted or leatherette-covered door panels take away the car's desirable originality?

One thing is certain, this Sunbeam Imp from January 1970 (with probably only 50,000 km on the clock) can never be more faithful to the original than it is today. Surely it would have earned its veteran's license for that ...

P.S. The report on the classic car fair Swiss Classic World will follow shortly.

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The Audience Award of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019 went to ...

Daniel Reinhard
05/26/2019

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B von 1937 - Coppa d'Oro Concors d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019 (© Daniel Reinhard)

Yesterday, despite a heavy thunderstorm, the audience award ceremony for the beauty contest in Cernobbio/Como took place.

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B von 1937 - Coppa d'Oro Concors d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019 (© Daniel Reinhard)

At the traditional parade in front of the Hotel Villa d'Este, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B from 1937 won the traditional audience award.

Motor des Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B von 1937 - Coppa d'Oro Concors d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019 (© Daniel Reinhard)

Absolutely everything that was technically possible in the second half of the 1930s was installed in the outstanding Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B: Light alloy in-line eight-cylinder engine, twin overhead camshafts, twin supercharger, rear-mounted gearbox, independent suspension all round...

There is not enough space or time (for the author) to list everything here. Based on the modified architecture of the Grand Prix monoposto, 30 examples were built, 20 with a short wheelbase and 10 with a long wheelbase. The latter species included the Berlinetta, which was crowned with the Coppa d'Orte, the first of five with a Superleggera body by Touring.

Pokale für den Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B von 1937 - Coppa d'Oro Concors d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019 (© Daniel Reinhard)

In 1937, it was one of the stars of the Paris and Milan Motor Shows, followed by Berlin in 1938 - a very good choice by the public!

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We are at the Swiss Classic World

Bruno von Rotz
05/25/2019

Lorenz & Rankl Silver Falcon an der Swiss Classic World Luzern 2019

Today (May 25, 2019) tomorrow at 09:00 the Swiss Classic World Lucerne opens its doors. Of course, we will be there and have set up our stand in the middle of Hall 2.

A mysterious red convertible adorns our presence. The car attracts curious glances, as hardly anyone has ever seen a Lorenz & Rankl Silver Falcon, about which we published a driving report in our SwissClassics Revue magazine. At the trade fair in Lucerne, there is now a two-day opportunity to view the interesting sports car in the original, so to speak.

But of course there is much more to see at the Swiss Classic World, as a first brief tour revealed.

Alvis Graber an der Swiss Classic World Luzern 2019

For example, there are rare British sports cars with Swiss (Graber) bodywork to admire ...

Oldimer zum Kaufen an der Swiss Classic World Luzern 2019

... or classic cars for sale from all eras.

BMW-Fahrzeuge an der Swiss Classic World 2019

The restoration trade will also be looking over your shoulder.

CALAG an der Swiss Classic World 2019

And of course we are very excited about the auction of the Oldtimer Galerie Toffen on Saturday( May 25, 2019) at 16:00 in Hall 2.

Versteigerung an der Swiss Classic World 2019

The Oldtimer Galerie offers a wide range of over 40 classic cars.

If you can't make it to Lucerne on Saturday, you can also visit on Sunday.

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A very special Peugeot

Bruno von Rotz
05/24/2019

Today, Peugeot is known as a manufacturer of compact and practical everyday cars (and as the owner of Opel within the PSA Group). In the past, however, Peugeot also built extremely exclusive and rare cars, one of which was the Peugeot 402 Eclipse, a convertible with a retractable tin roof.

One of these cabriolets, chassis number 601504, was built in March 1936 and is one of only 36 Eclipse examples that have survived to this day.

The early history of 601504 is not entirely clear, but the car was not delivered until June 30, 1937. Before that, it may have been used as a demonstration car, and it may also have been on display at the Geneva and Paris Motor Shows.

Even after that, its history remains unclear. Sometime in the late 1940s, the Peugeot was given a new front end at the Brandone body shop.

Between 1950 and 1960, the car is said to have been registered in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland, bearing the registration number LU 5851.

In 1964, the car was purchased by Mr. J. Neubert and Mr. H. Grieger and subsequently moved to Germany. A restoration was started but never completed. The car was presumably moved for the last time in 1980 and has been awaiting completion ever since.

Auction house Bonhams will auction the restoration project in Chantilly on June 30, 2019, with an expected price of EUR 100,000 to 150,000 (CHF 110,000 to 170,000). According to Bonhams, the car is largely complete, even the engine has already been overhauled. The car is described as "honest".

It will certainly take some courage to restore this Peugeot to its former glory. But it may well be that bidders will be prepared to invest considerably more money for this special rarity than the estimate suggests.

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More courage to use color?

Bruno von Rotz
05/23/2019

Farbenfrohe Karmann-Ghia

Anyone squeezing into traffic today, especially in bad weather, will only see cars in black, silver or white around them. Only very rarely will this symphony of shades of gray be broken up by a real color, usually a small car or perhaps a sports car (or a company car). Most car buyers today hardly ever choose a "real" color" when they configure their new car.

In the short term, apart from all the aesthetic aspects, this can even make sense, because even on the used car market, prospective buyers want to buy white-grey-black, hardly anyone is looking for a bright green or bright yellow used car.

Bunte Suzuki Swift am Autosalon

But what if we were to turn the wheel of time a decade (or two) further? Wouldn't people be happy about young classics and youngtimers or even classic cars in accentuating colors? Just as a light blue Bugatti, a squeaky green Karmann-Ghia or a yellow Ford Escort attracts attention today, a light green Audi Coupé or a raspberry red Jaguar saloon will probably attract interest tomorrow, especially as such colors can then be offered extremely rarely because, after all, all cars were bought in white-grey-black.

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Why classics are getting younger and younger

Bruno von Rotz
05/22/2019

A few years ago, a car had to be at least 30, but preferably 40 or 50 years old before it was a real classic. With the increasing popularity of youngtimers, i.e. vehicles between 20 and 30 years old, people got used to the idea that a classic car can also be a little younger.

A good example is the Porsche 993, which is now between 21 and 26 years old, but definitely feels like a classic car. You can still (mostly) shift gears by hand, the electronics barely intervene and the steering is still assisted by a gentle servo pump. Even the background noise from the rear is - thanks to air cooling - just as it used to be.

But even the successor 996 still fulfills almost all the criteria that are expected of a classic car today. And the latest models are less than 20 years old.

The situation is similar with a BMW Z8 or other sports cars built up to the early 2000s.

With the neo-classics, the time horizon is exceeded anyway; they can even be less than ten years old. The main thing is that they are special and suitable as classics of the future.

However, there are good reasons why young classics are becoming increasingly popular. They usually still allow the unadulterated driving experience of the past, but can be driven on our modern roads without any major restrictions. And that's what it's all about! You still want to drive the car yourself and not be patronized by a traffic jam assistant or adaptive cruise control, change gears when you feel it's right, start and stop the engine as you wish. This does not necessarily mean that you want to start the engine with the crank or adjust the ignition manually.

With the increase in electric cars in everyday traffic, this trend towards youthful classics is likely to increase ...

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